For an explanation of the calendar used, see [[Calendar of Harptos]]. See [[Krue d'Avenir]] and [[Ezmerelda d'Avenir]] for more information on the characters. ## 1490 #### 23 Nightal 1490 [[Krue d'Avenir|Krue]] and [[Ezmerelda d'Avenir|Ezmerelda]] meet after Ezmerelda retreats from a bloody battle with [[Strahd von Zarovich|Strahd]] at [[Castle Ravenloft]]. Krue tries to heal Ezmerelda and does a pretty poor job. Ezmerelda learns that Krue and her party have taken over her base of operations, the wizard tower. #### 24 Nightal 1490 Krue gets Ezmerelda and everyone else ran out of [[Vallaki]] after refusing to put on a happy face during a town festival. Ezmerelda stays at the wizard tower with [[Ireena Kolyana|Ireena]] while Krue, [[Skoll de Marais|Skoll]], and [[Nia Skultrac|Nia]] head to [[Krezk]] for supplies. After Krue recovers the sunsword in Krezk, Ezmerelda tries and fails to take the sword from her, which Krue finds charming. #### 25 Nightal 1490 Krue begins to repair the wizard tower and build a cabin for her party. #### 28 Nightal 1490 While Krue builds, Ezmerelda spends most of her time in the wizard tower, swearing at Krue whenever she ventures inside to check on her. Still, Krue gets the impression that Ezmerelda is warming up to her after she was able to recover the sunsword. Krue decides that she likes Ezmerelda, which she chalks up to her finding the other woman funny. Regardless, she makes the decision to not get too close to Ezmerelda due to the danger of the situation – though she doubts that Ezmerelda would even let her get close. ## 1491 #### 1 Hammer 1491 After taking heavy damage in [[Berez]], Krue announces her presence at the wizard tower by saying, “Honey, I’m home!”. Ezmerelda takes offense to this and tells her to die, but she also instructs Krue to go wash her blood off in the lake outside the tower. #### 2 Hammer 1491 Krue plays dice with Ezmerelda, during which she studies the woman. She is able to deduce that Ezmerelda’s bravado is something of a facade, and that she is much more anxious of a person than she lets on. Krue once again resolves to kill Strahd, this time in the hope that she can help ease Ezmerelda’s worries. She convinces herself that her concern isn’t “weird,” and rather just an extension of her wanting Ezmerelda to stop being so hostile to her all the time. Ezmerelda and Krue go hunting together, per Krue’s request. Krue makes two clean kills, which impresses Ezmerelda – but she ruins the moment by accidentally nailing a squirrel to a tree with a crossbow bolt, and Ezmerelda calls her a psychopath. Ezmerelda and Krue help Skoll make dinner. #### 3 Hammer 1491 Krue wakes Ezmerelda up for breakfast and Ezmerelda slaps her on reflex. Ezmerelda lets the party ride to Vallaki in her wagon, which is how Krue finds out that Ezmerelda plays the lyre and is a traveling fortune teller who dons a harlequin mask. Krue find this surprising and endearing, but settles on calling it “hilarious.” During a fight with some revenants, Ezmerelda accidentally shoots Krue with lightning. Despite Krue’s nonchalance about the incident, Ezmerelda is mortified, casting a spell on Krue to protect her for the rest of the fight. She tries to heal Krue on the way back to the wizard tower, but Krue refuses her potion, telling her to save it for a more dire situation. Krue attempts to make dinner for the party since Skoll is unconscious, but Ezmerelda doesn’t let her; she picks Krue up and throws her in a bed. Later, Krue approaches Ezmerelda with the intent of thanking her for making dinner, but she ends up apologizing to Ezmerelda for the fact that she feels bad for electrocuting Krue. Krue worries that Ezmerelda might think she’s an idiot. #### 4 Hammer 1491 Ezmerelda softens on Krue post-electrocution, even paying her a vague compliment.   That night, Krue wakes in the midst of a restless sleep. She finds Ezmerelda asleep at a desk, carrying her to bed when she refuses to go herself. In return, Ezmerelda tells Krue that she hates her guts. Krue’s feelings are hurt, perhaps because of the long day she had. Ezmerelda notices and apologizes, clarifying that she doesn’t actually hate Krue. Embarrassed, Krue returns to bed, though sleep remains elusive. #### 5 Hammer 1491 Krue offers Ezmerelda a ride on her horse; Ezmerelda accepts, but only after having Krue scoot back so that she can be the one steering. Krue takes the hit to her pride without complaint. On the way back to the wizard tower, Ezmerelda allows Krue to steer. However, she leaves several inches of space between her and Krue, refusing to hold onto anything other than the saddle. In Vallaki, Krue finds a ventriloquist doll with Ezmerelda’s visage, which Krue brings back to the wizard tower to show her. Ezmerelda is secretly delighted by the doll, but she doesn’t let Krue know – instead, she calls Krue a psychopath, at the same time forbidding Krue from getting rid of the doll. Ezmerelda – as part of a group gift from her, [[Rudolph van Richten|Rictavio]], and [[Yesper Taltos|Yesper]] – gives Krue a necklace in celebration of her birthday. In the night, Krue once again carries Ezmerelda to bed. In their shared level of the tower, Skoll grills Krue, implying that she and Ezmerelda are “up to something.” Krue is forced to consider her feelings for Ezmerelda for the first time, internally conceding that she finds the other woman impressive and enjoys talking to her. She also concedes that she worries and cares about Ezmerelda at least as deeply as she does the rest of her newfound friends, although she has no way of knowing if this care is reciprocated – she isn’t even sure if Ezmerelda views her as a friend. Krue ends up telling Skoll that she and Ezmerelda aren’t up to anything, but that she would perhaps like to be. #### 6 Hammer 1491 Skoll tells Ezmerelda that Krue has slain a dragon, which Ezmerelda demands Krue elaborate on. Knowing that Ezmerelda isn’t going to believe her, Krue does her best to entertain her with a good story – however, Krue is still mocked for her efforts. After learning that Krue had been drinking the first time she told her dragon-slaying story, Ezmerelda calls Krue a lightweight. At [[Argynvostholt]], Krue witnesses Godfrey say goodbye to Vladimir, while Godfrey himself stays behind in life in order to fulfill his oath to the other man. In her journal, Krue writes: > To think that you could promise someone so much, could love someone so much, that your spirit stays bound to this world for them, even after death – I do wonder if I could ever achieve that level of care for another person. I also wonder if it is something that I would even want. Upon returning to the wizard tower, Krue starts to say, “Honey, I’m home!”, before remembering how Skoll interrogated her the night prior about her feelings concerning Ezmerelda. Krue ends up stuck on the word honey, and Ezmerelda insults her for it. The two have an actual conversation that night wherein Krue asks how Ezmerelda is doing. Ezmerelda answers honestly, letting on some of her stress about the situation with Strahd. After answering, Ezmerelda says, “I don’t know why I’m telling you this.” When Krue calls them friends, Ezmerelda makes a noncommittal noise. Still, Ezmerelda does not threaten to kill Krue once during the conversation, a fact which Krue appreciates. When she advises Ezmerelda to make efforts to sleep in a bed instead of at a desk, Ezmerelda seems to take her seriously. To close out her journal entry for the day, Krue writes: > Today was a much more emotional day than I’m used to. My head feels full, but I’m having trouble pinning the thoughts down. #### 7 Hammer 1491 Krue meets [[Mordenkainen]], a man she is largely unimpressed with. In his mansion, she hatches a plan to rid herself of the ventriloquist doll modeled after Ezmerelda. Before leaving the doll behind, Krue approaches Ezmerelda, wanting to avoid offense by getting her plan approved in advance. Ezmerelda seems amused by Krue, which Krue attributes to Ezmerelda finding humor in the proposed fate of the doll. That night, Krue dwells on the idea that she has nothing to return to if she escapes [[Barovia]]. #### 8 Hammer 1491 Mordenkainen gifts Krue, Skoll, and Nia a Charm of Nine Lives each. In a move she would come to (much later) regret, Krue allows the Ezmerelda ventriloquist doll to tumble down a mountain as Mordenkainen’s mansion disappears. Back at the wizard tower, Krue seeks out Ezmerelda for conversation. The two talk about Rictavio, and Krue learns that Ezmerelda finds issue with Rictavio’s propensity for trying to handle everything himself. Krue notes in her journal that she enjoys Ezmerelda’s company and her conversations. She decides that she would like the feeling to be mutual, convinced that it will take a great deal of effort to make this happen. That night, Krue learns that Ezmerelda has elected to take her advice when she does not find her asleep at her desk. #### 9 Hammer 1491 Krue and Ezmerelda – along with Nia and Skoll – visit the [[Amber Temple]], the site that enabled Strahd to secure his vampiric powers. The inside of the temple is pitch-black, which Krue takes as an opportunity to grab Ezmerelda’s hand to guide her. Ezmerelda flinches (which Krue takes poorly) but allows her nonetheless.   Further in the temple, the party comes across a cursed statue, and Ezmerelda falls into a trance and becomes unresponsive. Krue is upset upon seeing Ezmerelda in this state. Because Ezmerelda is unable to move, Krue picks her up and carries her, hoping that she will eventually snap out of it. While Ezmerelda is unconscious, the rest of the party learns that the Amber Temple houses vestiges of ancient dead gods that can confer dark gifts. They decide to speak to the vestiges themselves in an attempt to learn more about Strahd. Krue quickly comes to the conclusion that she is in over her head; she doesn’t like the idea of making deals with gods in general, regardless of their morality. She chooses to avoid the vestiges just as Ezmerelda snaps out of her trance. Krue immediately puts Ezmerelda down, worried that Ezmerelda will be upset with her for carrying her – but Ezmerelda only thanks her. While Skoll and Nia speak with the other vestiges, Ezmerelda and Krue hang back. Ezmerelda confides in Krue, expressing concern over the idea of Skoll and Nia accepting the gifts of any of the vestiges. Ezmerelda asks how Krue feels about the situation, and Krue coveys her own worry. #### 10 Hammer 1491 Skoll and Nia both accept dark gifts from the vestiges; Krue and Ezmerelda share another moment of solidarity. The party leaves the Amber Temple and quickly comes face-to-face with a roc. While Skoll and Nia fight from a distance, Ezmerelda and Krue stay in close range. Throughout the fight, Krue remains the roc’s primary target, sustaining heavy damage. Ezmerelda tries to convince Krue to find cover, but Krue makes the decision to stand her ground, not wanting the roc to target Ezmerelda instead. While the roc is eventually felled, Krue ends up severely hurt. The party makes it back to the wizard tower. Ezmerelda guides Krue to a bed and throws a blanket over her, which Krue wisely does not comment on. Krue heals Ezmerelda as she is healed by Rictavio in turn. The two are eventually left alone, and they take the opportunity to check up on each other. They both admit that they don’t feel entirely equipped to fight Strahd. Ezmerelda eventually compliments Krue’s ability to withstand so many hits in combat. The two spend time talking about things of little consequence, occasionally poking fun at each other. Ezmerelda eventually falls asleep, and Krue writes: > I can’t quite describe the feeling that I am feeling. I’m hoping that some of it comes from the blood loss - it’s an intense, scary thing to feel. > > Soon, we will fight Strahd. I am worried for all of them. #### 11 Hammer 1491 Krue buys 40 gallons of liquor. She ropes Ezmerelda, Yesper, and Rictavio into a drinking contest while Skoll and Nia revisit the Amber Temple, aiming to prove that she isn’t a lightweight. Ezmerelda and Krue easily lead the contest; by round three, they are the only participants left. Although the two remain neck-and-neck, Krue notices that Ezmerelda is having to force the alcohol down by round eight. Struggling with the alcohol herself, Krue decides to tap out, reasoning that she had proven her point. In her journal, she writes: > It wasn’t the first time I took a hit to my pride in order to give Ezmerelda the win. I’m guessing it won’t be the last. Ezmerelda boasts about her victory. The two playfully argue, and they end up talking the rest of the night away. #### 12 Hammer 1491 An extremely hungover Krue wakes for the day. She pours a glass of water for Ezmerelda, who Krue finds face-down at the table. [[Godfrey Gwilym|Godfrey]] pokes fun at Krue, telling her that he and [[Vladimir Horngaard|Vladimir]] used to get up to antics similar to Krue and Ezmerelda’s. Krue tries not to dwell on this idea. Krue waits until late morning to wake Ezmerelda. As is typical for her, Ezmerelda wakes up swinging – in her hungover state, she nearly falls to the ground for her efforts, but Krue manages to catch her. When Nia and Skoll return from the Amber Temple, Ezmerelda tells them that they had fought a giant scorpion to cover for her hangover. Krue doesn’t contradict her. In private, Skoll pries about the nature of Krue and Ezmerelda’s relationship, suggesting to Ezmerelda that he thinks that she has feelings for the other woman. As a result, an angry Ezmerelda storms out to the common area. She suddenly announces that she’s ready to be done with Barovia, asking those in the room if they’re on board. Krue finds the question hard to answer, as she assumes that Ezmerelda is saying this out of a desire to get away from her. Still, she answers in the affirmative – although Krue can tell that Ezmerelda sees right through her half-truth. Ezmerelda exits the room without pressing the issue, leaving Krue feeling vulnerable and foolish. #### 13 Hammer 1491 Ezmerelda doesn’t eat breakfast with the rest of the party. Later that day, they all head to Ravenloft; Ezmerelda stands watch outside. As the rest of the party is exiting the castle, they find Ezmerelda facing off against an aarakocra vampire spawn. It’s the first aarakocra Krue has seen in nearly a year, and she’s upset by the circumstances – but she kills the vampire without technical issue. That night, Krue considers breaking her habit of checking in on Ezmerelda, thinking that Ezmerelda may not want to talk to her. Krue checks in on Ezmerelda anyway, and the two talk about their plans after Barovia. Ezmerelda tells Krue that she will likely return to the usual: wandering, adventuring, and monster-hunting. Krue is less sure about her future, and has trouble putting her thoughts into words; she settles on saying that adventuring hasn’t treated her too poorly, all things considered. In her journal, Krue writes: > While I wasn’t lying, something didn’t feel right about the answer – but I’m trying not to interrogate it. I don’t think I could afford to, at this point. #### 14 Hammer 1491 Along with Nia, Skoll, and Godfrey, Krue volunteers herself for the fight against Strahd. Ezmerelda also volunteers, which Krue expected – still, the thought makes her anxious. She does not voice this worry directly, afraid that Ezmerelda would take offense. During a talk with Rictavio, it becomes clear to Krue that they both stand to lose a lot more than they did when they first arrived in Barovia. In light of this revelation, Krue decides to give her Charm of Nine Lives to Ezmerelda. Ezmerelda and Krue engage in a bitter back and forth over who should take the Charm as they both try to prioritize the other’s life over their own. Ezmerelda specifically argues that she needs to make up for the cruelty of her parents, even if it results in her death; as the argument continues, it becomes clear that Krue and Ezmerelda both have very little to return to outside of Barovia. Ezmerelda tries to dismiss the notion that Krue has as little outside of Barovia as she does. Krue writes: > It was frustrating to have her dismiss me like that. I wanted to shake her and ask: don’t you know that I care about you like I have nothing else before? > > But I didn’t. What good would it have done? If anything, it might have made her less likely to accept it. Ezmerelda eventually accepts he amulet, but only after Krue pleads with her, and not without discontent. In secret, Ezmerelda places the amulet in Krue’s bag. #### 15 Hammer 1491 In the morning, Krue finds the Charm of Nine Lives that Ezmerelda had slipped into her bag. Krue confronts Ezmerelda; both upset, the two argue once more, but Krue eventually leaves Ezmerelda with the charm. Navigating through Castle Ravenloft, Krue realizes the foolishness of being angry with Ezmerelda while they both remain in danger. As the party stands one door away from Strahd, Krue reaches out and clasps Ezmerelda’s shoulder, and the two share a look. During the fight with Strahd, Krue sustains the most damage. Still, they manage to defeat him. Ezmerelda heals Krue after the fact. With Krue’s arm slung over her shoulder, Ezmerelda leads Krue out of Ravenloft. Both in great spirits, Ezmerelda and Krue manage to joke about the Charm of Nine Lives, and the two joke with and sit next to each other when they regroup with the rest of their friends. #### 16 Hammer 1491 While Nia, Skoll, and Ireena loot books from Castle Ravenloft, Krue and Ezmerelda hang out in Ezmerelda’s wagon. Krue summons eight goats in an effort to help transport the items from the castle, but Skoll shows her up by summoning eight draft horses. Ezmerelda goes out of her way to tell Krue that she thinks that the goats would have served their purposes just fine. Skoll asks Krue if she wants to travel to [[Valentia]] with him, Nia, Rictavio, and Ireena. Before answering, Krue finds Ezmerelda, nervously asking her if she wants to come with to Valentia as well. Ezmerelda is initially hesitant and begins providing excuses; in response, Krue reiterates that she would like her to come with. To Krue’s delight and surprise, Ezmerelda agrees to accompany the group; however, she tells Krue not to be surprised if she eventually departs. Ezmerelda awkwardly indicates that she’s glad that Krue ended up okay after the fight with Strahd. Krue returns the sentiment. In her journal, Krue writes: > It’s hard to believe that it was so simple, in the end. All I had to do was tell Skoll that I didn’t know what I was going to do next. All I had to do was ask Ezmerelda to come with me. #### 30 Tarsakh 1491 The party is stopped in [[Karador]], keeping themselves busy with odd jobs and researching the location of Valentia. Krue finds a posting that recalls the legend of a lost tomb and promises great secrets and treasure to those who explore it. When Krue suggests they check it out, Skoll accuses Krue of missing the dangers of Barovia – Ezmerelda agrees with this assessment, citing the various jobs she and Krue have taken on together since leaving the country. Ezmerelda – along with Skoll and Nia – still accompany Krue to the tomb, in part to protect her. Although the tomb holds many dangers, they make it out intact. Of the spoils, Krue gives the headband of intellect that she found to Ezmerelda, despite believing that neither of them need to benefit from the properties of the headband. #### 5 Eleasis 1491 Arrive in Valentia #### 21 Eleint 1491 Ezmerelda's 27th; knife from krue ## 1492 #### 5 Hammer 1492 #### 2 Alturiak 1492 Leave Valentia #### 3 Ches 1492 – 4 Ches 1492 CYRE 1313; re-killed Darklord #### 1 Tarsakh 1492 – 2 Tarsakh 1492 RISIBILOS; mocked Darlord #### 5 Mirtul 1492 – 7 Mirtul 1492 SEA OF SORROWS; met Darklord #### 10 Kythorn 1492 – 15 Kythorn 1492 STAUNTON BLUFFS; killed bandits #### 6 Kythorn 1492 #### 7 Flamerule 1492 RIDER'S BRIDGE; escaped Darklord #### 14 Eleasis 1492 #### 15 Eleasis 1492 Arrive in Borca #### 21 Eleint 1491 Ezmerelda's 28th; wine #### 19 Nightal 1492 Arrive in Valentia ## 1493 --- ## Page Tags/Properties **Tags:** #Timeline **Category:** [[Timelines.base|Timelines]] **Type:** Relationship **Characters:** [[Krue d'Avenir|Krue]], [[Ezmerelda d'Avenir|Ezmerelda]] **Campaign:** [[Curse of Strahd]], [[Tomb of Horrors]], [[Wild Beyond the Witchlight]], [[City of Eyes]], [[Borca]]