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Home , Laura Hickman, Lies of Light, Strahd von Zarovich, Vampires in games

Sample file Elven Tower presents

Curse of Strahd DMs Guide

Author Derek Ruiz

Cover Artist: SampleJack Holliday file

Illustrations authors/ artists: Strahd CR17 Stat Block - James Plunkett (dave2008@enworld) Derek Ruiz – All the other illustrations, maps and pictures

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All other original content material in this work is copyright (2016) by Derek Ruiz and published under the community Content Agreement for Dungeon Masters Guild

Page 2 Table of Contents

-All About Strahd I Bio and personality 5 II Dinner Invitation 9 III Fighting Tactics and Strategy 12

Chapter 1 – Introduction to 19 Chapter 2 – Lands of Barovia 22 Chapter 3 – Village of Barovia 25 Chapter 4 – Castle Ravenloft 28 Chapter 5 – Town of Vallaki 32 Chapter 6 – Old Bonegrinder 35 Chapter 7 – Argynvostholt 37 Chapter 8 – Village of Krezk 40 Chapter 9 – Tsolenka Pass 43 Chapter 10 – Ruins of Berez 45 Chapter 11 – Van Richten’s Tower 47 Chapter 12 – The Wizard of Wines 50 Chapter 13 – The Amber Temple Sample file 53 Chapter 14 – Yester Hill 58 Chapter 15 – Werewolf Den 61 Epilogue 63

Appendices

Running the Death House 66 Traveling in Barovia 69 Extra Encounters 71 Dark Gifts Dialogue Compendium 74

Thank You Page 78

Page 3 Foreword avenloft was originally published their job correctly in setting the scene and finding by TSR in 1983. It was released as a information when needed. stand alone booklet for Advanced Dungeons and Dragons. Written by Tracy and , it was a Rsuccess back then. The result was On horror themed gaming that it got remade and readapted to different forms.

There’s a of the same name, lots Something that is not said often is that Curse of of small adventure modules. In 2006 WotC released Strahd is not for everyone. It sadly is not. The “Expedition to Castle Ravenloft” which is a small game peaks when the elements that make it good campaign with the castle and some added material are actually used in the game. Factors like fear, from the setting for 3.5 edition. There is also the creepiness, insurmountable odds and horror are the board game released in 2010, “Castle Ravenloft”. staples of the Ravenloft setting. And the reason I’m writing this and you’re reading this, is 2016 , an adaptation to the If you play with your friends, my personal original module released by WotC for 5th edition. recommendation is that there has to be a session zero where this information is laid down. Fear The important thing about Curse of Strahd is that and horror must be an important part of the we have to understand that we’re practically playing game. Maybe your players (and unavoidably the a different game, it’s not the hack and slash game adventurers) will feel this real fear of the you play every Friday. It’s not a roleplaying heavy Strahd. Or maybe they won’t, as it is a fictional game with lots of politics and city factions and what game, but they will be experienced enough role- not. It’s a different thing, it’s a horror game. Or it players and they will role play their PC’s fear. should be, but more on that later. I’ve seen it happen, nothing sours a game like One of the most important and almost occult detailsSample this file as bad as telling a lewd joke to Strahd. Or is hidden in page 2, in the credits section, right making inappropriate remarks directly to Strahd where it says Creative Consultants. We see the only to make everyone in the table laugh. If this familiar names of Tracy and Laura Hickman. Bravo happens, and there is no feeling of dread. The ! to WotC. main element of this module is lost. I’ve seen some groups abandoning the game before level 5 Time after time we see in movies, book, series and because they didn’t find it appealing. It was just RPG games that a new adaptation is launched. not their game. But I believe anyone can play it and The new product pretends to be better than the enjoy it if it is talked through with the players in original or they give it enough spin while retaining advance. There has to be a general consensus of the original’s most important qualities but the the type of experience that is wanted and how to result is not what everybody expects. It usually achieve it. Don’t take my words as if to say humor happens when the original creators or directors is not a thing, the book suggests humorous breaks are not included in the new products. But this is from time to time are good (page 7). But there are the art business. And art depends on artists, be moments of dread that should be respected for the it writers, creators, directors or graphic artists. integrity of the table’s experience. The fact that they consulted Tracy and Laura Hickman for the making of this book can be seen in the modules general vibe and assumptions. I’ve had awesome experiences running CoS in 5th edition. Also the editing and layout of the book is far superior to previous published adventures. Compared to previous modules like OoTA or PotA the book is a better resource in helping DMs do

Page 4 All about Strahd - I he module Curse of Strahd Federovna has evolved after long years, now it is just naturally revolves around Count wild desire and anger. Maybe it is just a wish to win Strahd von Zarovich. The spot light against the dark powers that curse him. Maybe it is on him during the entire time, is just madness. But from Strahd’s perspective, it is everything in the Valley of Barovia still love. Tis as it is due to him. There are many ways to roleplay Strahd. Much has been said It is the same for his brother Sergei von Zarovich, about his motivations and personality. This long he hates him for stealing Tatyana’s attention from chapter of the guide will deal with how to approach him, but he loves him dearly and regrets killing him, everything that has to do with the Lord of Barovia. even if these feelings only surface from time to time, The chapter includes different alternatives for most this is shown in the adventure in two parts in the stuff and general advice on how to run the game book. If the card reading for Strahd’s location in the and Strahd himself (Some of this advice disregards castle will occur in area K85 (Sergei’s Tomb). In the the guidelines for running Strahd in page 10, there card’s description (King of Diamonds page 17) it says he is portrayed as more of a senseless monster and Strahd is “haunting the tomb of the man he envied not so “alive”). The aim of this guide is to make above all”. But if we visit the room description (page Strahd a memorable persona, a hated enemy, a 93) It says that Strahd is found lying across Sergei’s ruthless overlord, a sad stricken lover and the Coffin weeping. This is something the players can darkest figure in the setting. see, and they should see it. Another example is found on page 200, in Yester Hill. There’s a wall Strahd von Zarovich is a very complex individual, of mist that not even Strahd can cross, but this it’s easy to think that this BBEG is just an evil one shows a mirage through the mist. A far realm overlord, that is to say, the quintessential can be seen through the mist, it is the Zarovich’s representation of evil. If it were like this, then family ancestral realm. Strahd comes to the hill Strahd would be predictable. But Strahd like aSample real on file occasion to see it, tantalized. Strahd, in all his person, comes in layers of history and moments of undead existence, is as alive as the PCs, he’s a living success and failure. He should never be portrayed being full of failures and regrets. He is evil, but as an always evil, always ruthless, always savage not plain evil, there is a depth that probably no PC individual. Yes, he can be all that, but he is also would imagine at first. many other things.

Exploring what makes Strahd what he is, the DM and players should learn how he is not so different A note on Barovian history from them, he’s evil. But just in a way that anybody else could be. It is this similarity which causes fear, because in all the malignant being that he is, The story of Strahd is explained in page 9, but it maybe you’re not so far from him as you though at omits an important detail, the calendar. This is the beginning. The adventure even poses situations explained later on, on page 26. Barovia has its own that let the PCs get closer to where Strahd is. When calendar. Strahd was born in 306 and he became a a PC accepts a dark gift in the Amber Temple he is vampire in 351. The current year is 731. That means accepting the same things that Strahd sought so Strahd von Zarovich has been a vampire for 380 many years before. If a player accepts the Vampyr’s years, a fact never mentioned in the module, but Gift he’s even taking the same path. Strahd is not good to know. so far off, what he has is reachable. And even after centuries of vampire existence. He is still prone to human feelings. He can still feel anger, success, regret, pride and love. His perception of love is distorted by the dark powers. His love for Tatyana

Page 5 All about Strahd - I What about alignment? otherwise to achieve his own goals. I want to explore the “legal” part of his alignment. Strahd comes from a fine line of nobles. He grew Alignment is a social-personality construct that has up in castle where he had all kinds of instruction existed in D&D for a very long time. In my personal and education. He learned to fight in a castle and opinion alignment is just a guideline of a person’s he learned about from his father. It’s safe predisposition towards things and situations that to assume he was very well educated in science, happens around him. However it’s NOT an indicator arts and literature since he places high value on of the person’s actions. This distinction is seldom written material, else he wouldn’t have such an made and it makes all the difference in correctly amazing library (K37, page 66). His father was a or successfully roleplaying the different alignment king and Strahd was his first born. He probably roles. I’ll state two different extreme examples received the best education on law, state keeping before jumping on to Count Strahd. and accounting. I believe it is Strahd’s upbringing as a noble and future heir of King Barov that accounts 1.- Let’s imagine a town librarian. Because of his for Strahd’s “legal” alignment. Strahd is a man of his upbringing and background, he is evil. It doesn’t word and places great importance in family ties (his matter if chaotic, neutral or legal. But he is evil. He parents), and personal debts (). wishes the worst to his self-proclaimed enemies and enjoys gladly when bad things occur to other In game it will probably be difficult for players people. He particularly finds interesting to see to trust Strahd, being that he is a vampire. But someone feeling pain. He’s rude and despicable. they will, over time. Strahd is true to his word and However, he has never committed a crime or promises (usually). If he invites them to dinner and personally harmed another living being. He knows offers safe passage in writing (invitation letter), he’s no adventurer with a sword, or an influential this is for him a binding contract since he is “legal”. noble. And he won’t go to jail for falling to his He’s bound to the law, he is the lord of Barovia so desires. He will be remembered as a rude person he makes the law. If Strahd offers safe exit from who all his life worked at the library. Not quite what Barovia in exchange of Ireena, he will keep his word you expect from a “chaotic evil” person, right? More and let the PCs exit. That was his own deal. This is to his case, probably no one would ever know his not to say that Strahd is trapped by his own words. true personality. As I said earlier, Alignment is just a predisposition. An honest person might under the right 2.- Now let’s talk about a priest or acolyte whoSample has circumstances file commit a felony, but that doesn’t dreams of power and influence. Through constant make the person dishonest from that moment on. work in the church hierarchy he starts climbing ever higher. He doesn’t wish to become the head of Same with Strahd, specially if the PCs do not follow the church to spread its influence or attract more the expected arrangement. For example: In the followers, his only desire is to be above everyone dinner situation. Strahd will not harm them. But else. And he does anything in his power to attain it. if the PCs insult him by attacking him openly or He might act secretively, poison someone in his way decide to go around the rest of the castle uninvited, or order a hit on another. Eventually he’d be at the then the deal is over. top, and he would rule this church so it becomes more powerful. Attract more people, help the poor, open orphanages, abbeys and schools. All for the power, while doing good deeds. The head of this Forbidance church is an evil person who only keeps it in good shape to enjoy the advantages of such an influential position. An important factor in roleplaying and defending from vampires is the Forbiddance flaw in Strahd’s Just two extreme but perfectly possible examples stat block (page 240). It states he cannot enter of alignment versus acting. Now Strahd Von a residence uninvited. While this feature of Zarovich is Legal Evil. What that means is that he vampires is iconic and fun to run. I advice to make is predisposed to act under a code or law and that a modification to it, only for Strahd. He knows he cares not for the welfare or benefit of others. this law/limitation, however he is not bound to it, However this is just a predisposition and may act because he is the lord of the land, he IS the land.

Page 6 All about Strahd - I

But ! he respects it. He will not enter a residence and it is the only thing he will never have. That uninvited and will try to get an invitation, honestly is the “curse of Strahd”, it doesn’t matter what he or dishonestly (charm). Why? Because of his “legal” does, he never seems to get any closer to his goal, predisposition. It will give PCs a sense of safety he knows he has all the time in the world to wait from vampires in general. And it will be a scary and for the next “Tatyana” and try again, but Strahd has powerful reveal when Strahd decides he will show started to put the pieces together. He suspects that the PCs how he is not bound by this. Imagine Strahd the dark powers’ curse is what prevents him from passing through the door, your PCs (and players) attaining his goal. He’s paranoid now, and the result start to shout in disagreement and then you say, is that he is even more obsessed than ever with the in your best Strahd’s Barovian accent: “What? You new chance to make it: Ireena Kolyana. Strahd is believe I cannot enter this place without invitation? willing to do anything to keep Ireena for himself. This house is mine. In fact, everything you lay your eyes upon belongs to me, even your miserable The sad thing is that it never works out for Strahd souls”. in the end. The way the adventure works, the most likely outcomes will get Ireena killed, or reunited with Sergei in Krezk (page 156). Even if Strahd wins and kidnaps Ireena, or if Ireena decides to What does Strahd want? sacrifice herself and marry Strahd voluntarily to protect others, like Ismark, Strahd will turn her and seal her in a crypt. But the victory will be short 1.- Tatyana Federovna – Ireena Kolyana.- The lived since she will never love him. An alternative most important thing in Strahd’s agenda is to get outcome would be to have Ireena never turn into a Tatyana. She’s been dead for almost 400 years, but vampire, and just lie dead in Strahd’s arms. Either every now and then a girl is born in Barovia with way, that is the nature of the curse of Strahd. her soul. He is ever watching for when this happens, Tatyana’s soul and love is the one thing he can never because it is a new opportunity to achieve his goal. get. It is unclear how many times this has happened, 2.- A successor.- Strahd has grown convinced that but it shouldn’t be more than 5. One of the past one way to get rid of the curse and finally be able reincarnations of Tatyana is mentioned in page 161 to abandon Barovia, is to find someone to take his (wording is vague but implies it was Tatyana’s soul). place. The book implies that this is just a hunch but Her name was Marina and she lived in Berez. It you may decide that it is indeed true. Regardless, didn’t work. And that is a repetitive theme in CurseSample Strahd file believes it and is looking for an heir. No one of Strahd. Tatyana is what Strahd wants the most in his realm is up to his standards so he examines adventurers when they arrive or are seduced into his realm. Ironically, Strahd is so egotistical that he will never accept that someone is good enough. “I am the ancient, I am But he may still look for a successor, he might even mention it to the PCs, even if just to sow discord the land. My beginnings among them. 3.- Adventurers getting to powerful.- Strahd is not an idiot and even if he is powerful and above are lost in the darkness most, he is extremely intelligent (INT 20 ). When characters approach the higher levels (7+) he will of the past. I am not see that they are not so helpless anymore. He might even fear them, but he knows that he is the lord of dead. Nor am I alive. I the land. He is more resourceful than them. When PCs get too powerful and acquire the artifacts, Strahd can change his strategy. There is am undead, forever.” – one thing Strahd can offer the party that can cause a big argument. Passage out of Barovia. This is a card Strahd will only offer when things get tough, Tome of Strahd he might do it in a dinner invitation or similar

Page 7 All about Strahd - I situation. By offering a way out, a big party concern breaking the spirits of good people, it is a labor is solved immediately. Some PCs would prefer that takes a lot of time and effort, you need to be a clean way out while others will want to take patient and intelligent. But Strahd has all the time revenge on Strahd himself. in the world, take the example of the Abbot. This is Strahd’s pet project, he’s been corrupting the Strahd can offer an arrangement too, Ireena in Abbot for more than a hundred years. He can take exchange of safe passage out of Barovia. He can also his time, this is the reason why Strahd seldom offer LOTS of gold and magical items in exchange kills adventurers in a single showdown. He wants of leaving him and his realm alone. Strahd can to test them, crush their spirits, see how much also offer a party member to become a full-fledged they can withstand. He is just playing because vampire like himself and be his advisor or his new being immortal is really boring. After killing an Rahadin (In the end Strahd might betray him and adventurer, Strahd might even have him revived turn him into just a spawn). It must bet clear that by the dark powers just for fun (if you decide that Count Strahd has the heaviest leverage in this deal. Strahd can control this). He is after all the rightful lord of the valley. Of course Strahd can turn into a savage beast once A deal can break the adventure, but if it doesn’t, he is angered, this is difficult but possible. Things Strahd can still judge his best way to fight this team that would anger Strahd is stuff related to Ireena. of brigands. He is ever resourceful. And in his castle Her being taken away from Barovia to Vallaki or he is most powerful. Krezk, that angers him. Ireena reuniting with Sergei in Krezk, this is automatic frenzy mode for Strahd.

In a battle, if he gets close to losing he gets angrier as it is revealed he is not as powerful as he pretends General Personality to be. On the other hand some things make Strahd feel How to roleplay Strahd is a very difficult matter sadness and regret, he regrets killing his brother. He where different DMs will have different opinions is frustrated that King Barov and Queen Ravenovia and approaches. Page 10 gives us some cues on how could never witness the success and stature of their to roleplay Strahd. However I find these paragraphs first born. Thus he named the valley and castle after too bland. They describe Strahd as more of a mon- them. He gets nostalgic when he visits Yester Hill ster and less of a man. A creature whose feelings and gazes through the mist. Admiring the mirage of are long forgotten after centuries of vampirism.Sample The his file ancestral home. The times he remembers full of very first paragraph states the he believes himself happiness, a feeling he doesn’t have anymore. But lost to evil, unable to feel pity, remorse, love and the remembrance is enough. hate. This approach turns Strahd into a predictable, although extremely intelligent foe. However you only have to ask how different DMs played Strahd and you will find out that most didn’t take this approach. And it is because Strahd has so much potential. Here’s my take, take or leave what you like.

Strahd is extremely proud, however he is very difficult to offend if insulted. He thinks he is the most important and powerful man in the realm. No one ever comes close to his qualities. If a PC insults or contradicts Strahd, he just considers them inferior beings with no taste for conversation, unrefined, rough, peasants after all.

As a man of stature and power, he has no qualms about using other people for his own ends and cares not for the welfare of his subjects. He enjoys

Page 8 All about Strahd - II Dinner Invitation here is very interesting moment in 2. Page 124.- If the PCs prevent or stop the St. the Curse of Strahd module that is Andral’s Feast event in Vallaki (page 124), not given enough attention in the Strahd visits Lady Wachter and writes module, and this is the invitation the letter. The letter is delivered by Ernst to Ravenloft. A fine dinner with the Larnak or one of the Wachter brothers. By Tlord of the land. the way, if this event is not stopped, Strahd kills Father Lucian, the town revolts and the Strahd writes the letter himself and has one of his Vallakovich family is stoned to death in the minions deliver it to the adventurers, expecting main square. them to come. This is one of the module’s peaks. Depending on the case this could be the first time 3. Page 156.- If Ireena gets as far as Krezk and the adventurers encounter Strahd, or it could come she is reunited with Sergei Von Zarovich, after a few encounters with him also. It is a great Strahd blames them for his failure to get opportunity to build upon this villain’s charisma Ireena and vows to kill them. He sends the and personality. The moment to start building a letter then. pact of enmity between the PCs and your BBEG. 4. Page 172.- If Ezmeralda is introduced into Let’s discuss some particularities about this part of the module at Van Richten’s tower, it is the adventure. assumed she just tried to confront Strahd unsuccessfully. After this, Strahd sends the invitation to the party expecting Ezmeralda to show up. What’s a good timing? That’s it, the book only gives these options. However they are just guidelines of what you can do. The Sampleinvitation file can come in many forms and you get Curse of Strahd is a very sandbox-style campaign to choose when it arrives. It’s appropriate that the and the course of events will vary from table to invitation event is triggered by the players doing table, depending on the DM and players alike. For something that calls for Strahd’ attention, otherwise one group you might judge to introduce Strahd there would be no need for him to waste his time. earlier while you could choose otherwise with Possible events worth Strahd’s attention: different people. Strahd can come in and out of the spotlight at any time, it is his land, and he is the • Killing the hags at Bonegrinder. land. • Getting rid of Vargas Vallakovich. There’s nothing wrong with having him show up and throw some acid remarks to the PCs after they • Hiding Ireena’s Location. exit the Death House. Or you could also wait and have everybody talking about this Count Strahd; • Killing Lady Wachter. the PCs will be so curious about him, but he might not bother showing himself until the PCs prove • Killing the Abbot. themselves worth the time. And talking about that, • Causing a revolt in Vallaki. the book includes four moments when the Dinner invitation can be delivered. • Killing Baba Lysaga. 1. Page 108.- If a PC comes up with the idea of saying Strahd’s name to the magic mirror, • Acquiring one of the artifacts. he can appear and invite them through the The invitation is a prop you have to show to the mirror. players, it’s at the end of the book. As written, it

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