LOVE NEVER DIES

in fair barovia, where we lay our scene, from ancient grudge break to new mutiny, where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. a tale of woe, filled with tenderness and terror. the tragedy of everlasting love, living death... and the eternal hunger for blood.

A 2ND EDITION AD&D PORTRAYAL OF STRAHD VON ZAROVICH est. june 2022, written by rocky ( 25+, she / they, lesbian ), blog is selective, private, low-activity and 18+.

( DOC. ) 🧛 ( PINTEREST. ) 🧛 ( PLAYLIST. )  🧛 ( MEMES. )

@devildarklord sent: ❝ your grief clouds your judgment. ❞

“ no – no, it – no. undeath is a curse. ”

the words are spat as he sinks down and presses his face into his knees. enebish trembles, a constant companion to himself, and he clutches the crystal holy symbol in his hands.

“ don’t you see? this is abomination. ”

they turn their eyes up to strahd for a moment, beholden to the lord of this domain, and considers where they stand in the same instant. they were both touched by the mists in similar ways – strahd, standing on his lofty perch of eternal damnation, and enebish, taken and turned and left on the wayside like a forgotten toy.

“ aren’t you tired? ”

A ROLL OF THE VAMPIRE’S EYES. Of course he was tired. Of course the curse weighed down on him. But it was not undeath that drove him to madness, it was his imprisonment, his heartbreak, the loss of the only love he ever had — and yet the cleric groveled at his feet as if they were experiencing even half of the vampire lord’s heartbreak. The clouds above grew darker, as Strahd’s disposition grew melancholic. In the past he had thrown himself at the feet of storms, begging for the sun’s radiant light to sear him into nothing — but no such prayers would ever be answered. His curse was eternal, and she would escape him, eternally.

❛ Tired? Mmh, of your bawling, perhaps. ❜

Strahd leans down to put a thumb under the half-elf’s chin, angling their face just so that the dim light caught the red in their eyes. 

RADU WAS READY FOR THE AGGRESSION.  The joke from Strahd was only met with a short laugh before the action began. It was not his first time fighting a vampire, be it out of practice or within it. They were much of the same: fast and fatal as if they held no time in them left to lose in this fight. Radu managed to keep up with the other, but the strength of the Lord far outweighed his own. Expected, to a point, as Radu blocked and parried what he could through gritted teeth. If breathing was a must, he would be thoroughly out of it with strained lungs. Yet his breath remained even, his heartbeat a mere steady rhythm that were at odds with his quick steps and even quicker hands.

     The kick came, doubling the man, only to fully push him away as his head snapped back from the blow. His right hand lost its sword, but his left held fast. He reared himself back into position, however one misstep against a vampire was all they needed to land the killing blow and, soon enough, Radu found himself landing hard upon the ground. His back felt the crash before his head did. It took him a moment, seeing clouded skies that threatened rain above him before his grey eyes moved onto that of Strahd. A flicker of emotion on the Lord’s face, a lingering that hearkened back to a time long before. The name a recall to something aching deep within a soul desiring to forget as memories clashed.

A flash of downpour upon slanted rooftops, a slice of red across neck and breast. The feeling of betrayal soured upon tongue, making the wounds that much deeper. A golden bowl, a wicked smile. Such a shame, such a shame…

     Eyes narrowed for but a moment before long limbs twisted, having one catch Strahd’s own to sweep his legs out from under him. As humans were wont to pause, vampires surely held those remnants of mortal habits as well. Radu took advantage once Strahd was downed, pulling his sword with him to pin the other in place with legs straddling torso and angled the dull blade upon the Lord’s throat. Radu stared down at Strahd, inspecting his state to see if he would try to wrest free of the hold or not. But with the recollection, the mood had dampened considerably.

     ❛  If you let the memories win, you’ll die with only your hand to blame,  ❜  Radu murmured before he stood, stepping to the side so as to offer his hand to Strahd.  ❛  See them only as an old friend as they pass you by. Weep not the dark corners, they told me once.  ❜

IT FELT LESS LIKE FALLING and more like the Earth had decided to move around him. It’s the tips of trees and then a gray sky... then the back of his skull hitting the ground with a resounding crack. Vampire or not, the fall hurt.   ❛  Pula mea! ❜   Strahd hoped Radu’s balok was too rusty to recall what that expletive meant. There were some black spots clouding his vision before everything settled and a meaty hand was extended toward him. With a groan, Strahd accepted. The horror of the memory  ( the guilt, the fear, the blood pooling in his mouth )  began to fade. He was no stranger to the past gripping him and twisting his stomach until all he heard were her screams as she fell. But he never froze. A glance to the castle and thoughts of the woman within hinted perhaps at an answer to why he found himself victim to his own affect. But Strahd pushed the thoughts away.

    ❛  To be fair, the old friend is not passing by. He is mercilessly throwing me onto the ground.  But... you have always given me good council, and for that I will forgive you for the transgression of downing the Lord of this land. ❜    The vampire picked some rocks and dirty out of his long tresses of hair before retrieving his practice sword and testing its weight in his hands. It was not the blade he was used to.   ❛  Who are they? Do you refer to your lady-wife Adela? You must tell me more of your life. The Alek I knew was very... mysterious. It was frustrating. ❜

@mistrisen​ asked: in the words of my brother, you’re cancelled. 😔

STRAHD’S BROW FURROWED as his beloved Tanechka revealed what was holding her back. He did not let go of her hand ― could not, though he worried the cold would begin to make her uncomfortable.   ❛  Canceled... from... what?  ❜   A wave of his free hand and Strahd leaned forward. He tried to ignore the anger rising within and the memories of Sergei, but the heat of this fury was beginning to burn.

   ❛  We do not need your brother’s permission to engage in courtship. I am the Lord of this land.  Do not trouble yourself with his protests, my love. He will not be an obstacle.   ❜