Kept Memories

A worn leather book standing on a lectern in the portrait gallery of Castle Ravenloft, directly beneath the wedding portrait of Strahd and Taara. The title is stamped into the cover in a hand that pressed too hard, like someone carving rather than lettering. The castle keeps the lectern dustless.

What the book is

When Strahd erased Taara's memories of their marriage, he could not bring himself to destroy what he took. He bound the memories into this book. The enchantment is not on the book — the enchantment is the book; the pages are the spell.

• The curse cannot be lifted by its caster. Strahd has tried for eight hundred years. The magic will not release for the hand that cast it. He took the memories; he cannot give them back.
• Reading it lifts the curse. When someone other than Strahd reads the book — aloud or silently — the ink warms, lifts, and fades line by line as it is read. The memories return to Taara, wherever she is, in the order the pages are turned. When the cover closes, the pages are blank.

Partially restored in session 24: only Chapters 1 and 2 were read aloud, by Logi, in the gallery. Chapters 3 and 4 remain in the book, unread. Taara now remembers the marriage and the happy years; the rest of the book is still sealed.

The story it held

Chapter 1

Once upon a time, there was a young noble named Strahd. He lived peacefully in the quiet valley of Barovia alongside his family.

During those peaceful years, Taara came to know Strahd's father well. The two formed a close friendship, and she was often welcomed into the household.

But peace never lasts forever.

When an old blood feud reignited, Strahd took up arms against his family's ancient enemies. Refusing to stand by and watch, Taara chose to fight alongside him.

The war was won, but victory came at a terrible cost. Strahd's father fell in the final days of the conflict.

Taara attended the funeral to pay her respects. There, amidst grief and mourning, she finally met Strahd in person.

Though sorrow filled the halls, the two found themselves speaking long after the other mourners had departed. They shared memories of his father, laughed over stories from the campaign, and discovered a quiet comfort in one another's company. In the days that followed, their conversations continued, and what began as shared grief slowly grew into something neither of them had expected.

Then, one evening, as the setting sun cast its golden light across the castle gardens, their eyes met once more.

It was love at first sight.

Chapter 2

The Marriage and a Happy Beginning

The seasons passed, and the bond between Taara and Strahd only grew stronger. They spent countless evenings wandering the forests of Barovia, dreaming of the future they would build together.

Before long, Strahd asked Taara to become his wife. She gladly accepted, and the two were married in a grand celebration attended by nobles, soldiers, and the people of Barovia alike.

For many years, they ruled together with wisdom and compassion. Strahd protected the valley from those who sought to threaten it, while Taara's kindness earned her the love of the people. The castle echoed with music, laughter, and hope.

It was the happiest time of their lives.

Yet as the years passed, something began to trouble Strahd. His hair slowly turned grey, his body weakened, and each passing year reminded him of his father's death. Beside him, Taara remained as youthful and radiant as the day they had first met.

The fear of losing everything he loved slowly took root in his heart.

Session 24

See sessions/session 24.md for what actually happened: Strahd present in the gallery, trying to keep anyone from reading past Chapter 2; his attempt to have the blind Khione read it, which failed for reasons that had nothing to do with her blindness; and the reading stopping after the first two chapters. Chapters 3 and 4 are still there, still unread, still magically intact.

Current location (as of session 24): No longer on the gallery lectern. After the reading stopped, Strahd carried the book to the tower bedroom and placed it on the bookshelf there. Taara watched him do it. Myra has warned her (without naming it) that a certain book should not be read past a certain point.