The Interactive Tome of Strahd

Much of the truth surrounding the dread land of Barovia's past has been lost to its
mysterious mists. Adventure through the pages of Lord Strahd von Zarovich's personal
journal and see the past through his eyes.
A series of adventures exploring the echoes of Barovian history for characters of 5th-
15th level.

By The Aciduous Adventurer

 The Tome of Strahd

T
his hand-assembled, aged, leather book hangs The first chapter has already been decoded by Rudolph
on weighted, steel hinges. Though many pages van Richten and will absorb the readers instantly when it
are brittle and damaged, it is clear that it was is opened for the first time after it has been attuned to.
penned by Strahd von Zarovich, Lord of If the creature attuned to the Tome dies, a creature
Barovia himself over the course of the many friendly to them may attune to the item within one day of
centuries of his life. A brief, intimate the initial attunement ending and refer to their
introduction gives you the impression that the companion's shorthand in order to resume their
pages may reveal deep secrets of his long life, though they are translation.
mostly written in a near incomprehensible cipher. Time moves differently inside the memories of the Tome.
Exploring a single chapter takes 1 hour of time in addition
What is Contained Here? to the 4 hours spent on research and deciphering the text.
Non-magical items found in a chapter can be brought back
The Tome of Strahd is an ancient text penned by a terribly to the present. Magical items taken from the memories of
powerful, immortal wizard. This guide turns the legends of the Tome lose any magical properties if returned to the
Strahd's history into a series of short adventures. present.
The following adventures are scaled for an adventuring Any damage taken while in a chapter is sustained when a
party of 4-5 characters that discover the Tome at level 4 and character leaves. If a character dies within the chapter,
levels to 5 upon its discovery. their body must be carried to the end of the chapter's
events or it is lost to the pages of history.
Events are recorded on the pages as they occur and
Tome of Strahd (Item) include the actions of those present but not their names.
Wondrous item, legendary (requires attunement by a
spellcaster) Table of Contents
While attuned to the Tome you gain the following benefits: Though the Tome itself does not have a formal table of
You have advantage on any checks made to recall contents or distinct chapters, it is broken into two clear
information about Barovian history or lore. halves: Life and Death.
You gain a +1 to your AC and to any saving throws when Life.......................................................................................................2
defending against Strahd von Zarovich’s magic.
While attuned to the Tome you may spend 4 hours Prologue | Youth ........................................................................2
attempting to decipher new sections of the Tome in order to Chapter 1 | The Battle of Argynvostholt................................3
gain further insight into the life of Strahd and the land of Chapter 2 | The Rise of Ravenloft..........................................4
Barovia. Chapter 3 | Brothers in Arms..................................................6
Deciphering a chapter requires an Intelligence Chapter 4 | Tatyana....................................................................7
(Investigation) or Intelligence (Arcana) check and at least Chapter 5 | The Unholy Communion....................................9
4 hours of dedicated research time. Another creature can Chapter 6 | Wedding Bells ....................................................12
assist you in the attempt and grant advantage on the check if Death ...............................................................................................14
they help. Attempting to decipher the book or offering help in
deciphering it reduces your passive perception by 5 for the Chapter 7 | The Corruption of Yester
duration of the 4 hours. Hill............................14
The Tome also appears to contain esoteric, magical Chapter 8 | The Heart of the Old Gods...............................15
knowledge akin to the knowledge contained within a wizard's Chapter 9 | The March of the Dawn....................................18
spellbook. As the secrets and magic contained within are Chapter 10 | The Legacy of Vasili von Holtz......................21
unveiled, you may cast any spells recorded in the Tome as a Chapter 11 | The Final Dusk.................................................27
ritual. If a spell found within does not have the ritual tag, it is Chapter 12 | A Soul's Return................................................29
nonetheless a ritual spell for you when cast from the Tome. Epilogue | A Lord's Rest.........................................................33
Once a spell is cast in this way, it cannot be cast from the
Tome again until the following dusk.
If the spell is of a higher level than you are able to cast, you
The Interior
must succeed on a DC10 + the spell's level Intelligence With a successful DC13 Intelligence (Arcana) check, a
(Arcana) check. If you fail, the spell's use for the day is still character can recognize a dispelled Glyph of Warding on the
expended. clasp that once secured the front cover. This was removed by
Rudolph van Richten.
Rules of the Tome When a character opens the Tome for the first time after
attuning to it, read:
Once the attuned creature has decided to investigate a
chapter, if it is successfully decoded, they are forcefully
absorbed into the pages of the book along with any other
creature within 30ft.

1 INTRODUCTION
 You leaf through the pages, some torn, some flooded or The Courtyard
burned, some branded with unknowable symbols, and others The courtyard is walled-in on four sides by 30ft tall stone
still artfully scribed with a murky, black ink in a foreign script
walls. There are 10ft tall wooden double doors set on the
east, south, and west walls. On the other side of these doors
that you do not recognize. The tale is long though appears as are simply clouds of mist. Any adventurer that attempts to
gibberish, save the first page which transforms before your exit through these doors are met with the same fate as they
eyes into Common: would entering the Mists of Ravenloft.
"I, Strahd, Lord of Barovia, well aware certain events of my The boy seated on the stairs is a young Strahd von
reign have been desperately misunderstood by those who are Zarovich, taking a short rest from his sword training with
better at garbling history than recording it, hereby set down an Rahadin. His father's attendant has bested him and is
exact record of those events, that the truth may at last be currently reporting back to King Barov.
known."
The Door
The pages flutter open to a blank pair along the spine and Just beyond the northern door is a small office chamber
mist begins to pour from the binding. You feel lightheaded. where Barov is drunkenly boasting of his excitement for his
Your vision fades, and from the blackness now surrounding soon-to-be-born son Sergei and the immense pride has for
you, a hungry fog rolls along the ground. Strahd.
You shout, and there is nothing. The mist chokes closer. Characters listening at the door that succeed on a DC 14
From the growing cloud, a man clad in a black cloak and a Wisdom (Perception) check can hear Barov request that
regal, red tunic looks at you with a stern face and piercing
Rahadin push Strahd harder so that his son will one day be a
great leader that will leave Barovia in the history books. They
eyes. He steps toward you with the grace of a king. Your eyes also hear Rahadin respond, in turn, informing King Barov
meet his cold glare as it bears down on you, he speaks. that the prince is still far too young to lead and that he is
brash, foolish, and overzealous.
Prologue - Youth The Boy
“I am the Ancient. I am the Land. My beginnings are lost This young version of the Dark Lord will believe the
in the darkness of the past…” characters are imaginary friends, and, so long as they do not
This chapter details Strahd's childhood, establishes his become hostile, he will speak freely about himself and his
relationship with his father King Barov, his mother Queen family.
Ravenovia, Rahadin, and Sergei, and lets the characters meet Anyone speaking to the boy in a kind manner can learn the
the boy who will go on to become the Devil. following:
His name is Strahd von Zarovich.
The visage of the man disperses into a black and red cloud He is meant to become lord of this castle, and his mother
before reforming into a young boy no older than 12, with a thinks he'll make a great lord. His father, King Barov,
small sword at his side and tears streaming down his cheeks. believes he might, but he also says that he has a lot of
The mist recedes further, revealing a glorious, well-adorned, work to do.
and sunlit castle courtyard. He is nervous about living up to his father's expectations.
The low buzz of insects and humidity add weight to the His father's advisor, Rahadin, is his teacher. He's a difficult
summer air. Hanging high above you are red banners draped
teacher, and he pushes too hard sometimes.
His mother is pregnant with a boy, Sergei, and his mother
over towering ramparts that depict the same raven says it'll be his job to teach Sergei what he knows.
iconography cast in metal on the front of the book you’ve just
opened. After the party has spoken to young Strahd, listened at the
The boy that stood before you moments ago now sits atop a door for sometime, or they party attacks the boy, Rahadin
small set of stairs leading to a wooden door. From beyond it, steps out onto the stoop and draws his blade, announcing
you can hear distant but boisterous laughter. that they will return to training at once.

The Party's Involvement Chapter Close

"...yet that past now is filled only with regret."
The characters are in a faraway land. A kingdom that stood
long before the country of Barovia was founded. This is Treasure The attuned creature may now cast Illusory Script
Strahd's childhood home, just after young prince has as a ritual spell once per dusk. By combining the shorthand
completed a training session with his father's advisor, used to inscribe this spell into the book, the text from this
Rahadin, and they have some quiet time to meet the future chapter, and the scrawlings along the diary's margins, a
lord. pattern begins to emerge in the swirling, mysterious symbols
on the following pages.
The attuned creature may now begin to study the book and
attempt to read further chapters.

PROLOGUE | YOUTH 2
 Setting the Difficulty The model mountains climb to nearly five feet in the air, and
The DC for decoding each chapter will vary from its valleys sink deep into the tabletop. A voice directly to your
party to party. I suggest beginning with a DC15 right, orders: 'Commander Gwilym, the table is yours.' The
Intelligence (Arcana) check for the first chapter and order was delivered by a man in his early thirties with well-
increasing the DC by 1 per chapter, but you may
choose to make it easier or more difficult manicured jet black hair. His determined face is familiar to
depending on your party's makeup. you.
He does not appear dissimilar to that of a young boy you
met at his home one summer afternoon, yet now he stands
clad in scarlet armor adorned with angelic feathers etched in
Chapter 1: The Battle of gold leaf.
Argynvostholt The tent stands 20ft around and 12ft tall. The enormous table
"I was the warrior, I was good and just. I thundered depicting the geography of Barovia is a slightly rectangular
across the land like the wrath of a just god..." table that takes up a 10ft by 8ft rectangle at the center.
When Strahd's forces marched on the cold, forested lands Around the edges of the tent are assorted chairs.
nestled between Mount Ghakis and the Baritok Mountain Any character who spends time to review the table and
range that would go on to become the kingdom of Barovia, succ succeeds on a DC16 Intelligence (History) check can
they had little knowledge of the dedicated Order of the Silver discern the location of Argynvostholt and the village of Berez
Dragon. to later add to their own map.
As the von Zarovich forces closed in on the final holdout of If the characters inquire further about the plan of attack,
the previous kingdom, they climbed the steep mountain roads the commanders will detail the assault and refer to each of
into the center of the countryside. It is here they planned the characters as "Lieutenant" for the duration of the
their final approach to claim the land once and for all and conversation.
where Strahd incurred an unpayable debt to the mysterious
Vistani. The Plan of Attack
The characters will operate as lead soldiers during the Lord Strahd, Commander Gwilym, and Commander Rahadin
siege of the castle. will share the following information if asked:
The Order of the Silver Dragon is proud and plans to fight
The Village of Zmei rather than be starved out of their castle.
This iteration of Barovia has added a small village at The castle itself sits high on a cliff overlooking a valley,
the base of the hill that leads to Argynvostholt and the knights will have nowhere to go but down toward
called Zmei. It is no longer standing by the start of the village.
the adventure, but its ruins may be easily added to The people of Zmei are commoners who will not stand in
Barovia. the way, and we will do what we can to protect them.
The Lord General Strahd will hold the rear of the forces
from the village of Zmei.
The Party's Involvement Commander Rahadin will hold the base of the hill and
monitor the treeline to ensure we are not routed.
The characters now find themselves standing at a table with Commander Gwilym will ride up the hill to the castle to
Strahd and two of his closest advisors—Rahadin and challenge the remaining forces directly.
Aleksandra Gwilym. The two are mounting an offensive to
remove the Order of the Silver Dragon from the land. The characters may elect to defend Strahd at the backline
As the army marches on, the party can elect which or follow either Rahadin or Aleksandra into battle as the
commander they would like to report to and ultimately the army marches the following day.
role they will play in the battle ahead.
The Battlefield
The War Tent When the characters have decided how they wish to proceed
As the mists gather once more, read: and have done all they wish to do in the War Tent read:

The mist coalesces into the dusk elf you saw in the previous
chapter, not aged a day. The chatter of voices and the clanking
of metal sing from outside the walls of an enormous tent. Its
primary occupant is a colossal, rectangular table atop which is
carved an intricate, scale map of the lands of Barovia.

CHAPTER 1 | THE BATTLE OF

3 ARGYNVOSTHOLT
 When the characters overcome the boulders and reach the
The conversational chatter of the camp builds to a roar. You
top, they encounter a powerful general, and Commander Alek
blink and are now standing in the midst of a quaint farming Gwilym's brother, Sir Godfrey Gwilym (as he is currently
village, many of its buildings wreathed in flame. Dozens of human, he is without his revenant abilities, undead status,
soldiers adorned with ravens are locked in combat against and undead resistances) wielding a silver shortsword with a
knights in silver and blue armor. hilt sculpted to resemble silver dragon wings and a pommel
Strahd sits atop a stocky, black mare, points his blade shaped like a silver dragon’s head clutching a black opal
forward and shouts 'Advance!' As he does so, a javelin strikes between its teeth and three Guards responsible for
his side and he is knocked to the ground. Ahead of you, you
leveraging the boulders down the hill.
Treasure Godfrey Gwilym is wielding a decorated, silvered
see Rahadin and Alek galloping off toward their posts, unaware shortsword.
that their lord has fallen.
The Dragon Rises
Strahd and The Village Regardless of the path the characters choose to follow, once
If the characters decide to remain in the village and assist the combat has been resolved and they have had a brief
Strahd they are attacked by a Paladin of Argynvost (a Life second to catch their breath, read:
Priest) wielding a silvered longsword and three Infantrymen.
Strahd is terribly injured and bleeding heavily. Two of the A river of blood flows down the enemy's silvered sword lying
Infantrymen will fight to move past the characters and strike idly in the mud. A divine cacophony of thunderous booms
Strahd down. beat on your eardrums followed by a cold shiver that runs the
If he is successfully defended for 1d4 turns, three Vistani length of your spine. The cold seems to emanate from the
arrive to help nurse him back to health. They provide him a mansion high on the hill.
healing potion and help him walk to one of their wagons.
Treasure The paladin is wielding a silvered longsword A blood-curdling roar rips through the air, silencing the
battlefield, and your attention is drawn southward. The sun
Rahadin and The Hills above reflects harshly off of a pair of glinting silver scales and
If the characters move to the treeline with Rahadin they claws that crest the turrets of the castle, and you gaze, in full
initially find silence. The trees are quiet, and it feels that the view of Argynvost. The Silver Dragon.
battle is distant. A successful DC14 Wisdom (Perception)
check reveals a series of snare traps laid in the grass. A
character that rushes into the bushes triggers the snare and Chapter Close
must make a DC14 Dexterity saving throw or they are "...but the war years and the killing years wore down my
grappled and suspended 10ft in the air by their ankles. soul as the wind wears stone into sand."
They may release themselves through a successful DC13
Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check, or by Treasure
spending 1 minute of time struggling to remove the snare. A The attuned creature may now cast Unseen Servant as a
companion may also help take them down. If they remove the ritual spell once per dusk.
snare themself, they take 1d6 bludgeoning damage as they
fall back to the ground.
A successful DC16 Wisdom (Survival) check reveals the Chapter 2: The Rise of
familiar signs of foot traffic in the area. Ravenloft
Characters that fail to notice the telltale signs of the enemy
forces are surprised as an ambush party comprised of a "My army settled in the valley, renamed for my father as
Paladin of Argynvost (a Life Priest) wielding a silvered we took power over the people in the name of a just god,
longsword and three Infantrymen attack from the trees. but with none of a god’s grace or justice."
Treasure The paladin is wielding a silvered longsword With the final resistance of the Order of the Silver Dragon
suppressed, the bountiful countryside was claimed in the
Aleksandra and The Castle name of the late, great King Barov.
If the characters charge through the frontline with Too many years of Strahd's lifetime were spent
Aleksandra (a Master-at-arms) they are met with some campaigning across the country with a sword in his hand and
resistance from the Order's defensive forces. The battle rages an army at his back. These long years isolated him from his
around them; Strahd's soldiers are locked blade to blade with family, and in his time away, he lost both his father and his
knights in silver and blue, and the terrain disadvantage dear mother.
quickly becomes evident.
Argynvost's forces begin to roll large stones downhill
toward the characters as they climb. 3-5, 10-foot-diameter
stone spheres begin to crash down the hill toward the army.
(Refer to the Dungeon Master's Guide's section on traps for
information on rolling sphere traps.)

CHAPTER 1 | THE BATTLE OF

ARGYNVOSTHOLT -
CHAPTER 2 | THE RISE OF RAVENLOFT
4
 The Party's Involvement The terrible silence of the place is interrupted by the cold ring
In this chapter, the characters have the opportunity to meet of a blade being unsheathed. Strahd clutches tightly to a red,
with members of Strahd's court, including Leo Dilisnya and black, and gold dagger. Its finely crafted hilt leads to a sinister,
the Dawnmaster Gabriel Andral, witness Strahd's pledge to
the land, and take some time to explore the Lord's private curved blade. He kneels and wrenches his left hand into the
study in Castle Ravenloft. soil, returning to his feet with dirt crumbling from between his
The war party has climbed the high hills of Barovia and knuckles.
arrive for the first time at the threshold of the soon-to-be- He points the tip of the dagger briefly to the north, east,
christened Castle Ravenloft. south, and west like a priest blessing a congregant with holy
water before stabbing it lightly into his mud-caked palm. A
The Castle Courtyard mixture of dirt and blood drip as he squeezes. ‘I am Strahd, I
When the characters appear they are crossing the bridge, am the Land.’ He repeats the mantra three more times, once in
read: each cardinal direction before facing upward and speaking:
You stand just beyond the front gates of a curtain wall, so ‘Draw near and witness. I, Strahd, am the land.’
colossal that the largest of giantkind could pass through with Blood and magic meet the soil, and the sky is swallowed.
ease. The wall is nearly fifty feet in height, interrupted by The courtyard vanishes.
squared off turrets that rise even higher.
The wall is further dwarfed by the rounded towers of the Strahd's Study
keep overhead, the tallest soaring easily three times the height "All goodness slipped from my life. I found my youth and
of the gates. Weighted hooves clop through the dirt, and
strength gone, and all I had left was death..."
The characters emerge from the void and find themselves
across the wood and stone behind you, the most distant of in Strahd's personal study (area K37). Read:
which still trod across a seemingly infinite bridge.
What feeble light burns in the dimming fireplace is enough to
Following behind the characters are Rahadin, Aleksandra fill the room with rolling waves of red and amber light,
Gwilym, Leo Dilisnya, and Gabriel Andral. Strahd has gone illuminating rows and rows of ancient books—their leather
ahead through the castle doors with a few men to see the covers well-oiled and preserved through careful use—large
inside and will return shortly. The characters may take this
time to explore the courtyard (area K1) and speak with his gaps span segments of the shelves, likely left to fill in more
advisors. knowledge.
What the advisors know: The stone floor is concealed beneath a thick, luxurious rug.
In the center of the room is a large, low table, waxed and
The lands here now belong to Lord Strahd. polished to a mirrored finish. Even the poker in its stand next
Rahadin and Alek are aware that there is an assassin
hidden amongst the forces that seeks to eliminate Strahd. to the blazing fireplace is polished.
They captured and executed a man who was in possession A sturdy, carved desk houses several scrolls of parchment,
of a dagger commonly carried by the mystical Ba'al Verzi open books, and candles burned nearly to the wick. In one of
assassin's guild, but they do not believe he was the actual two chairs crafted of burgundy-colored wood with padded
assassin. leather seats that face the hearth, is Lord Strahd von Zarovich;
I Am the Ancient, I Am the Land his head rests in his left hand, a letter is gripped tightly in his
After the characters have explored the courtyard, Strahd other.
emerges from the entrance of the castle (area K7). If the
characters are mid-conversation, any of Strahd's forces Strahd has just received word that his mother, Queen
request they fall silent. Read: Ravenovia, has passed. She was never able to see her
namesake. Gabriel Andral, has delivered the letter to Strahd
personally and hopes to offer some comfort to his Lord by
offering condolences of the Morninglord.
Strahd tolerates the Morninglord's presence in the land
and recognizes the power of the church but is not devout
himself and believes the Dawnmaster's words are nonsense.
The characters are only witnesses to this conversation, and
any character paying particular attention and succeeds on a
DC15 Intelligence (Insight) check can sense a clear tension
between the two.
Strahd eventually accepts an offer from Gabriel to take a
walk down to the chapel and leaves the characters to explore
the room.
Characters opening the doors in this room find only the
Mists of Ravenloft on the other side, though they can access
the secret door leading to the False Treasury (area K38).

5 CHAPTER 2 | THE RISE OF RAVENLOFT

Strahd's desk contains a variety of spell components (none The Audience Hall
worth more than 10gp), some high-quality spellbook It seems that all of Barovia has gathered to greet the arriving
parchment, and a small lockbox. von Zarovich family. When the chapter begins, the characters
The chair he was seated in also contains a letter from his find themselves standing in the Audience Hall (K25) of Castle
family's attendant informing him of the queen's passing. Refer Ravenloft. Read:
to the handout in Appendix C for a copy of the letter.
You stand on either side of a high-back, wooden throne atop a
The Castle’s Artwork marble dais. Strahd beside you, donning a scarlet red tunic
As this moment has occurred before his with glimmering gold clasps and a black cape flowing over his
introduction to Tatyana, the portrait detailed in the shoulders. A hall extends thirty feet ahead. Various guards and
module is not above the fireplace. Instead, there is well-adorned nobility form an aisle, and the crowd is abuzz
a portrait of King Barov and Queen Ravenovia.
with hushed voices, and the attending crowd is illuminated by
Alternatively, if your characters are raring for a
fight, you may include Strahd's Guardian Portrait. a towering, stained-glass window in the far corner depicting a
cerulean and gold sunrise.

After the characters have had time to explore the space, While it is clear that the audience is gathered for some
Strahd returns to the room and pauses. He looks around remarkable event, the room is still abuzz awaiting its
knowingly, as if he knows someone is here or has been here. beginning. Adventurers asking around the room learn the
Once the characters are sufficiently unnerved, he snuffs the following:
fire, if it has not been already and pulls the poker, stepping The people gathered here are assorted Barovian noble
through the secret door to area K38. The embers sputter out, families.
the darkness overtakes the study, and the world goes black. They have come to greet Lord Strahd's family.
Treasure. Any books found in Strahd's growing collection
are worth 1gp-100gp each. Any character inspecting the stained glass can identify the
The lockbox on the tabletop contains 37sp and 162gp as abstract sun painted on the window as the symbol of the
well as 1d4 gothic trinkets. Morninglord with a successful DC12 Wisdom (Religion)
check. Any cleric of the Morninglord can recognize the
Chapter Close symbol immediately, no check required. Once the party has
"Escape from the isolation of death was impossible. In had sufficient time to explore the space, read:
my many years, I learned that the brightest days cast the
darkest of shadows." The murmurs of the hall are quieted by the groan of heavy
Treasure wooden doors parting. A procession of marching footsteps
The attuned creature may now cast Gentle Repose as a ritual and the fanfare of trumpets precede a beautiful man with wavy
spell once per dusk. black hair, kind eyes, and a warming smile leading a group of a
dozen people into the chamber.

Chapter 3: Brothers in He approaches boldly, confidently, draped in the familiar

robes of the Morninglord. A gilded, radiant sword rests at his
Arms hip. The hilt of the weapon is so finely crafted that you would
"At my advisors’ behest, I called for my remaining family, not be faulted for believing it was made of pure light. He
long unseated from their ancient thrones, and brought drops to a knee before the throne.
them here to settle in the castle I built for them. From
this plea came a younger brother of mine, Sergei, nearly Sergei does not have much regard for formality or processes.
grown. I had never known him." He is young and excitable and has long been an only child.
With the von Zarovich line bequeathed to him, Strahd sent Even now, in his late-twenties, he is driven by a vibrant
word to bring his family to their new seat of power. The man enthusiasm and warm spirit that Strahd lacks.
that responded to the summons is none other than Sergei With his approach, Rahadin stands next to Strahd and
von Zarovich. announces the arrival:
This chapter introduces the characters to the exuberant,
charismatic, and beautiful man that Sergei is and how starkly ’Welcome Sergei von Zarovich, second son of King Barov and
contrasted he is to Strahd. Sergei is also an acolyte of the Queen Ravenovia, Awakened son of the Morninglord, to our
church who has pledged his life to the Morninglord. Castle Ravenloft. The keep’s splendors and comforts are
yours.’ Sergei rises to his feet. Strahd rises in turn and steps
The Party's Involvement down the marble stairs, standing half a foot taller than his
The characters also have the opportunity to partake in a younger brother. He reaches to shake his guest’s hand, but as
welcome party of sorts. Strahd celebrates his brother's their forearms meet, Sergei pulls his brother in for a hug.
homecoming as only a warrior may know how: with an
exhibition tournament. Strahd steps back and pronounces, loud enough for the room
to hear: ‘It is good to have you, brother. Come, let us
celebrate.’
CHAPTER 2 | THE RISE OF RAVENLOFT -
CHAPTER 3 | BROTHERS IN ARMS 6
 Anyone observing this interaction can recognize, DC11 A Brotherly Brawl
Intelligence (Insight) check, that Strahd is made visibly After every character (or as many characters wish to partake)
uncomfortable by the hug. have taken their turns in the demonstration, Sergei rises
The room erupts into applause, and the stained glass from his seat to challenge Strahd, and the roar from the
window shines like the rising sun. Powerful rays of light crowd overtakes the scene. The characters reappear in seats
overtake the scene. around the pit, and Strahd and Sergei are locked in a duel.
The Chapel Garden Sergei’s sword flies down, nearly chopping Strahd in half from
The festivities have shifted and an exhibition tournament has
been set up behind the castle in the Chapel Garden (area K5). the crown, but the Lord raises his sword in time to leave an
When the characters arrive, read: inch’s gap between steel and skull. Sergei dips back, narrowly
evading his brother’s red, black, and gold parrying dagger. He
You feel a gentle breeze brush your cheek. The earthy smell of props up, tossing his own parrying dagger into a reverse grip
fresh grass brings spring and summer warmth to your soul. and tilting his short sword not like a noble in a duel but a
The embrace of the sun wraps around you, but your serene teenager in a street brawl. Strahd’s eyes survey Sergei’s sloppy
focus is broken by raucous cheering. stance, and in a flurry of black cloth, he dives to an opening on
Three sets of tiered benches have been constructed around his left before feigning right with the ritual dagger.
a ring of dirt, and two guests currently stand at its center in The young von Zarovich stumbles but manages to catch his
studded armor and with their weapons drawn. Forty feet ahead brother’s arm batting the dagger away just as the point
of you are two wrought iron gates that lead to an overlook. scratches his armor. Back on his feet, Sergei brings his blade
Even from this distance, you can see the snowcaps of far off around in broad sweep across his body and spins frantically
mountain ranges to the east. toward his target. Strahd parries the obvious attack with ease,
but the Dervish twirls mask the dagger that nearly finds the
Two young participants exit the ring, and Rahadin notes the elder’s throat.
victor. He is currently presiding over the organization of the Strahd moves into the whirling blades like a dancer twirling
event, and if anyone wishes to participate in combat, they can in tandem with a partner, pulling his neck back enough to
speak to him. The characters may sit and speak with any of avoid the fine steel edge, and forcing his brother to overstep.
the members of Strahd's court, look around the grounds, or He stands swiftly upright, his blade held straight, the point
investigate the Overlook (area K6). pressed gently to the base of Sergei’s skull. They lower their
Participating in the Exhibition weapons and bow.
After a short break, Rahadin announces that a new round of The crowd erupts. They look out over the people. Sergei waves
fights will begin soon. enthusiastically, an enormous smile is plastered on his
Challengers may select their opponent, and Strahd's guests exuberant face, and hardly a drop of sweat breaks on his
are all far too proud to turn down a challenge. Characters forehead. Strahd, drenched in sweat, blots his face with a black
may select any of the following to challenge in the ring: kerchief, and waves out of obligation. His penetrating eyes
Strahd von Zarovich (a CWarlord) snap briefly in his brother’s direction, cutting more harshly
Sergei von Zarovich (a War Priest) than his longsword ever could.*
Rahadin)
Aleksandra Gwilym (a Master-at-arms) Chapter Close
Gabriel Andral (a War Priest) "He was handsome and youthful. I hated him for both."
Leo Dilisnya (a Zealot Barbarian with 14 Intelligence)
Lady Ilona Dirovnya (a Mastermind Rogue) Treasure
Any Barovian noble in the audience The attuned creature may now cast Mage Armor as a ritual
Each other spell once per dusk.
The exhibition matches are not intended to be deadly, they
are meant to be entertaining, but those in attendance are all
capable warriors in their own right. When a match begins,
Chapter 4: Tatyana
the competitors roll initiative and conduct combat as normal. “Then, all my disparaging thoughts fell away like dead
Each fight is conducted either until one fighter earns five leaves. She was, without doubt, the most beautiful person
points (restraining themselves and striking for one point of I'd ever seen.”
damage). Tatyana and her subsequent reincarnations are the heart of
Alternatively, you may host a more aggressive tournament Strahd's eternal curse. He viewed love, and even physical
in which combatants fight until one fighter falls below 10 Hit relationships as distracting or dangerous for many years. It
Points. was not until he met Tatyana, a Barovian commoner that
Sergei had come to admire, that he gave into a deep,
relentless, and an unhealthy obsession for another person.
This meeting, courtesy of Sergei, spelled the beginning of
Strahd's end.

CHAPTER 3 | BROTHERS IN ARMS -

7 CHAPTER 4 | TATYANA
The Party's Involvement Sabotage his brother in any way that he can, including
casually making a point that as a member of the church,
In this chapter, the characters attend an intimate dinner with Sergei does have to take a vow of non-marriage.
Strahd, Patrina Velikovna, Sergei, Tatyana, Ilona Dirovnya, He will pay no mind to Patrina even though he is
and Rahadin. Though they are not the guests of honor, they technically her escort for this evening.
have the freedom at the table to drive some discussion and
ask questions of their host and other guests. Once the dinner Patrina
is complete, they will be whisked through a series of Strahd’s Attempt to regain Strahd's attention any way she can.
favorite memories with Tatyana, memories that, in Strahd’s Avoid Rahadin's judgements.
mind, meant that she loved him.
Sergei
Being a good host Engage all of the guests at the table in conversation.
It is important to distinguish this evening from a He is entirely oblivious to Strahd's advances on Tatyana.
present day dinner with Strahd. The castle halls Believes his older brother's insults are merely jokes and
should feel alive and resplendent in ways that they smoothly brush them away or twist them into positives.
no longer can in Barovia. Keep the table in high spirits and abate any tension that
Also, in order to mediate the amount of NPCs he notices.
that you have to run concurrently, I would suggest
letting the characters or Strahd drive the Tatyana
conversation.
Lastly, this moment may be an enormous reveal
Do everything in her power to fit in with the noble crowd.
for the characters. If, up to this point, they have not
Light up any time that Sergei speaks.
learned of Tatyana and the nature of her soul's Kindly acknowledge Strahd and compliment him in
reincarnation, emphasize that this woman is the return.
spitting image of Ireena Kolyana. Be extremely kind to Patrina and remain entirely unaware
that Patrina is jealous of her.
Ilona
The Dining Hall Bask in the chaos of the meal.
The characters are seated around the table in Castle Speak to any guests that seem to have any religious
Ravenloft's Dining Hall (area K10) in formal dinner wear. iconography on their person about their god, the
When they arrive, read: Morninglord, and the church.
Three enormous crystal chandeliers brilliantly illuminate a Rahadin
magnificent feast hall. Pillars of stone stand against dull white Keep the peace as best he can.
marble walls supporting the ceiling. At the center of the far Aggressively aid Strahd in conversation and tout his
west wall, between floor-to-ceiling mirrors, brass pipes climb accomplishments.
the stone like grape vines. They extend upward from the Will do all but physically fight someone to keep the
wooden base of an expansive pipe organ. The grand fireplace decorum at dinner. If it is one of the characters that is
set into the southern wall blankets the room in a homey actively aggressive, Rahadin will escort them out or kill
warmth. them if they attempt to attack.
You are seated in the center of the room at a chestnut
Mock or otherwise demean Patrina.
refectory table draped with a white satin tablecloth. The table When dinner winds down, enough blows have been struck,
is laden with an assortment of delectable foods: roasted beast and the characters have asked their fair share of questions
basted in a savory sauce, roots and herbs from distant lands, the following scene plays out:
and sweet fruits and fresh vegetables of all sizes and colors. Sergei will excuse himself and Tatyana because he must
Places are set for each of you and six other guests with return her to the village down the hill.
delicate porcelain and silver. At each plate is a crystal goblet Strahd will insist that she remain in the castle as a guest,
filled with an amber liquid emanating a delicate, tantalizing and he will have a room drawn up for her immediately.
fragrance. Tatyana remains humble and initially refuses.
Sergei respects whatever she wishes.
Patrina wishes she would go.
Guests and their Goals Rahadin insists she stay to spite Patrina.
This dinner is not a particularly pleasant meal as each guest
will be vying for attention and their place at the table. Their Ultimately, she stays, but even as she accepts Strahd's
respective motivations and goals are: offer, she stares longingly at Sergei, and Strahd's face falls
somber.
Strahd “It was as if the sun that had favored me had been all
along hidden by a cloud. Its brilliant glory now shone in
Learn as much as he can about Tatyana full upon him… and him alone.”

CHAPTER 4 | TATYANA 8
 The Courting of the Count Return to the Dining Hall (area K10)
Strahd does everything in his power as Lord of Barovia and Tatyana continues to spin and her already stunning dress
ruler of Castle Ravenloft to impress Tatyana. When those
gestures of affection fail time and time again, he falls back to morphs into a blossoming red gown with a large petticoat. She
his growing magical abilities. In his research, he has learned now dances in a ballroom, the same hall where you sat for
that love is an elusive energy, and long-term effects on dinner, now cleared for a crowd. She whirls to the tune of the
emotions are nearly impossible to maintain, but that does not now lively pipe organ and a small band.
prevent him from trying. As Strahd's voice echoes and dinner Her outstretched hand clasps Sergei’s as he forms from the
closes, read: mist, and they are entwined, twirling and floating through a
The Chapel Courtyard (K5) crowd of nobility all doing the same. All but Lord Strahd Von
Zarovich who sits starkly below a deathly still portrait of his
You are whisked away to the castle courtyard where Strahd own likeness.
walks alongside Tatyana in the soft dusk light. He asks her how He calls for a toast to the people of Barovia and his
she finds her new quarters here and of her satisfaction with incredible guest, staring deeply into Tatyana's eyes. He steps
the amenities of castle life. forward from his throne and presents Tatyana and Sergei with
‘Everything is wonderful, Old One.’ Strahd’s eyes goblets.
momentarily grow wide as if a knife has suddenly pierced his
chest.The sound of a gentle harp strums over the quiet A successful Wisdom (Perception) check contested by
courtyard, and the mists blind you. Strahd's Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check (+3) reveals
Strahd removed a small vial from his pocket and poured a
Dining Hall of the Count (area K36) bubbling pink liquid (a Philter of Love) into Tatyana's drink.
If the characters intervene, Tatyana spills some of her
Tatyana giggles behind you, but you are no longer behind the drink, curtseys, and excuses herself. Sergei follows after her.
castle. She sits on a stool in a grandiose, paneled music room. If Tatyana drinks the Philter she turns toward Sergei at the
Her hair has grown several inches, and her homely vestments end of the toast and immediately steals him away for a dance
have been replaced by a simple but beautiful summer dress. with an impassioned fervor.
Stunning harp music drifts through the air, and you see
Chapter Close
Strahd plucking at the instrument's strings, entirely at peace, “One would think the ritual for casting a love-spell or
and enraptured by Tatyana’s joy. Almost frozen in time, the creating a love-philter would be more common, but my
two begin to sing. Until a door clicks and Sergei enters. books were bereft of such things, except for a single short
She stands, bows to him, and he hurries toward her, treatise on the subject. The writer's conclusion that love
hugging her so tightly that she rises from the ground, and he was a force that could not be successfully reproduced by
spins her around and around the fading room. magical methods struck me as being inanely smug.”
Treasure
A successful DC11 Wisdom (Insight) check reveals that she The attuned creature learns how to craft a Philter of Love
is confused as he lifts her. Not to a point of dislike, but she using the rules from The Alchemy Almanac.
feels uneasy. If a character succeeds by 5 or more, they
recognize a sense of guilt on her face after her eyes flicker in
Strahd’s direction. Chapter 5: The Unholy
Communion
A Lingering Melody "I began dealing with something far beyond my
I felt that Elsa’s Song by The Amazing Devil was a experience in magic and needed no wise teacher to tell
fitting song for Strahd and Tatyana to perform me it was deadly..."
together. Consider playing it to set the scene if you If meeting Tatyana was the beginning of Strahd's eternal
have the opportunity! Thank you, u/StevenV for end, his pledge to Vampyr was the final nail in his coffin. His
sharing it with the community. voracious hunger for magic that would grant him Tatyana's
love and remove his brother from his path drove him mad
and opened his soul to the terrible powers housed in the
heart of the Balinok Mountains.
The Party's Involvement
It is in this chapter that Strahd succumbs to the draw of
undeath, and the characters are given the power to help or
hinder his quest through the Amber Temple to Vampyr’s
resting place. The characters return to Strahd's study on the
night he discovered the dark magic that dwells in the ancient
Amber Temple, and accompany Strahd and Alek on their
warpath through the temple.
CHAPTER 4 | TATYANA - CHAPTER 5 | THE
9 UNHOLY COMMUNION
Strahd's Study You hear a voice rasp from somewhere unseen. Dozens of
The study (area K37) has changed in the years between this voices echo in reply. Tatyana, Rahadin, Alek, Sergei, you even
chapter and the day that Strahd learned of his mother's recognize the voices of your fellow party members: ‘You
death. When the characters arrive, read: cannot find what you seek in a book.’ Strahd whips around in
terror, and the book folds itself to a close, page by page. The
You settle into a familiar room: Strahd's personal study. Unlike
minimal comfort of the library vanishes, and the candles are
your previous visit, however, the hearth lies cold. The room is
snuffed by an arctic breeze. A howling winter wind whispers
near pitch dark and lit by a few scattered candles. Their
‘Come to me.’
flickering light casts long shadows on shelves fit to bursting
with tomes. Books new and old, that even at a glance appear
to contain endless pages of spells and incantations. The Amber Temple (Exterior)
The portrait above the mantle no longer resembles the The exterior of the temple is a magnificent facade, even in the
unbearable cold. The temple currently houses an enclave of
members of the von Zarovich family. Instead, it is a lifelike oil
powerful mages and the monks of the Order of the Guardians
rendering of Tatyana. In the far corner of the room, looking Monastery that curate its expansive library and protect the
over the space, is Strahd, enveloped by his black cloak, long-sealed tombs of unfathomable old gods, ensuring they
muttering under his breath and weaving arcane gestures in the remain locked away here.
air. When his hand lowers wood shifts and creaks in the Strahd has mounted an expedition here alongside his most
otherwise empty room. trusted commander (Rahadin remained back to run the
castle). He fully intends to kill anyone between himself and
The characters arrive as Strahd is attempting to learn and the voice beckoning him here. The characters can work to
cast Animate Objectspracticing the proper verbal and help or hinder Strahd as he unearths Vampyr.
somatic components on the two leather chairs. The growing number of voices pierce your mind and the wind
Whispers in the Dark that claimed the candles whips your cloak. Your vision returns,
During this time, Strahd believes the characters to be voices and you stand in a blizzard on a mountainside before six,
of spirits that have been plaguing him in recent days. The carved amber statues, towering over forty feet tall. Each figure
voices are getting louder, more aggressive, and more is deep in prayer. Two other figures ahead of you: Strahd and
inquisitive. Alek are clad in ice-coated armor, and trek through the snow
Strahd is willing to disclose the following as he is losing
his mind: toward the temple hewn from the rock.

Sergei and Tatyana will not leave each others' side In his almost inhuman rage, Strahd tears through this sacred
He no longer trusts any member of his court except place, and the characters must succeed on a Skill Challenge
Rahadin and Alek because he feels they would support in order to accomplish their goal.
Sergei taking over his rule.
He grows even more suspicious that other nobles are You approach the colossal entrance carved into the face of the
seeking to eliminate him.
He feels himself growing older. Slower. stone. Torchlight is losing a fight against the slate grey sky,
He grows desperate in his pursuit of Tatyana. and in the fading fire you see the silhouette of Strahd glide
He has grown from a warlord and tactician to a capable effortlessly across the fallen snow, and paint the powder red
spellcaster. (He is currently a 9th-level spellcaster.) with the blood of a robed figure at the temple’s door.

After several minutes of conversation, there is a knock at

the door. Strahd's focus on his spell is shattered, and before The Amber Temple (Interior)
he can offer permission to enter, it swings open. While the characters struggle to keep up with Strahd as he
charges to its depths, you may use the map from the current
The Announcement Amber Temple to guide them. The massacre proceeds
The door opens to reveal Sergei and Tatyana, hand in hand, through the following rooms as Strahd follows Vampyr's
grinning from ear to ear. They have come to announce their whispers through the secret halls of the temple as directly as
betrothal, and they wish to host the ceremony in Castle he can:
Ravenloft's chapel in one moon's time. The Overlook (area X4)
The characters may whisper in Strahd's ear to temper or The Annex (area X15)
stoke his anger, and he will glance around as if seeking their The Hallway (area X17)
input on allowing the couple to marry. Tatyana's pleas The Banquet Room (area X22)
overtake all else, however, and eventually, the pair takes their The Shrine (area X24)
leave. Strahd turns to the characters: The Wizard's Chamber (area X27)
"She calls me ‘elder.’ ‘Old one.’ Yet she has fallen for The Library (area X30)
that gullible, faithless boy." The Amber Vault (area X42)
He returns to his desk and begins fervently leafing through
a decrepit looking spellbook. Read:

CHAPTER 5 | THE UNHOLY COMMUNION 10

 The Temple’s Archivist
The wizard in area X27 is Exethanter, prior to
becoming a lich. At this point in his life, he has met
Strahd several times before but has never explicitly
told him of the temple or its location, but he knew
the time would come eventually. They may
exchange some formal conversation, and
Exenthanter will express his disappointment in
Strahd, but he refuses to do battle with him as he
knows that he will lose.

The Amber Vault

When Strahd has completed his devastation of the temple,
the characters find themselves alongside Strahd and Alek in
the Amber Vault (area K42). It is here that Strahd bonds his
soul to Vampyr, and the characters have the opportunity to
help or hinder the process. When they arrive, read:
You follow Strahd, covered in blood, into a deep, underground
circular sepulchre. ‘I am here! What do you require of me? You
are Death, no? Have you come for me? If so, then take me and
be damned.’
The legion of voices rattle the bedrock: ‘I have come on
your behalf. You have fed me well, and you are due your
reward. Lay your hand on my tomb. You hunger for your lost
youth, Strahd von Zarovich. I shall remove the rival from your
path, and you shall age not one day more…’
Aleksandra, hearing these voices for the first time, grips firmly
to her weapon. Strahd takes several steps toward an imposing
amber sarcophagus. He drops his sword to the ground, but the
clang is suppressed. You feel the sound now drain from the
already frigid space, and with each silent footfall, the torches
burn from orange to green to blue to black before it is
swallowed.*

When Strahd approaches the amber sarcophagus, let the The amber tomb illuminates, and you see Strahd’s hand braces
players know that they now have a choice to aid him in the against its surface. In its hazy, yellowish glow, you can see
ritual or work to prevent it. Regardless of their decision, they where the light has been drawn: a phantasmal shadow erupts
must succeed on five skill checks before failing three skill from the surface of the stone coffin and forms into humanoid
checks. Some potential checks include: shape with winglike appendages draping from its forearms like
Intelligence (Arcana) to study and understand his the sleeves of a mystical robe. The wings envelop Strahd and
incantations. shadows follow in sequence and consume the room.
Wisdom (Religion) to help maintain the seal of the From the depths, red eyes emerge and turn to where Alek
sarcophagus. stood moments before. The light slowly refills the crypt, and
An attack roll to attempt to physically remove him or Alek Strahd collapses in supplication at the stone vault. ‘Do you
from the space. wish to live?’ Strahd nods, exhausted. ‘Then feed.’
Charisma (Persuasion) to make Alek understand that An echo of dense, heavy steel bounds around you as if the
what Strahd is doing is dangerous and wrong. sound of Strahd’s sword meeting the stone returned from
Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) to steal Strahd's spell
components. another time. Strahd clutches Alek by the throat. Her weapon
Wisdom (Medicine) to help him remain conscious. below her feet. The choking ends quickly, only to be replaced
by the blood steadily dripping down her front. The liquid pools
If the characters succeed in aiding Strahd in the ritual: on the stone as the body hangs from Strahd’s claw. His pupils
appear narrow like a predator on the prowl. His mouth is
drenched in his advisor’s blood. Color leaves the world; even
the vivid reds fade to grey, and the mists consume the ancient
catacomb.

11 CHAPTER 5 | THE UNHOLY COMMUNION

If the characters succeed in preventing Strahd's ritual, he The Chapel Courtyard
faints, collapsing to the stone, and the sarcophagus glows. Royalty and common folk from across Barovia and beyond
Read: join together in the spring sun for some light conversation in
area K5. When the characters arrive at the party, read:
The terrible shadow of a phantasmal shadow erupts from the
surface of the stone coffin and forms into humanoid shape A joyous melody sings from the pipes of Castle Ravenloft’s
with winglike appendages draping from its forearms like the grand organ wakes you from a deep, restful slumber. The
sleeves of a mystical robe. The form rises the height of the jubilance of a verdant spring afternoon energizes your skin.
chamber, towering over you. Ruby eyes shine from its depths Dozens of guests are gathered with wine in hand conversing
on Strahd’s unconscious form. with people of a wide range of races and decorated in
‘You are worth more to me in death than you ever could be spectacular tunics and dresses of fine silks.
in life.’ The eyes seem to lock with each of yours At the bong of a bell, they all draw their attention toward a
simultaneously. ‘You, however, will not live to see the light of beautiful stained glass window depicting a white knight and
another sunrise.’ The shadow swallows the room, and Alek red-haired bride who seem almost alive in the sunshine and
cries in the dark. Steel clangs reverberate through the stone begin to walk toward a doorway leading inside.
walls. Torches spark around the room and Strahd kneels over
the body of his advisor, indulging in geysers of her blood. The party has the opportunity here to speak with an
assortment of Barovian (and non-Barovian) citizens about the
If the characters are present when Vampyr assaults Alek, wedding today. Rumor has it that Strahd had this new
they all take 3d10 necrotic damage as his shroud consumes window commissioned for his brother and Tatyana. He didn't
them. (Strahd did allow the construction, but it was Lady Dirovnya's
idea).
Chapter Close This scene should feel spectacularly light-hearted and
"There it was. The parley, the bargaining, the trade. What joyful. Everyone is full of love and anticipation.
did they want of me? What could they possibly want from
me...” The Chapel
The chapel is currently radiant and colorful, decorated floor
Treasure to ceiling for the most elaborate wedding anyone has ever
The attuned creature may now cast Commune as a ritual seen. If the characters follow anyone inside, read:
spell once per dusk.
You enter a cathedral-like chapel capped by a 90ft tall domed
Chapter 6: Wedding Bells ceiling, raised by towering archways. The white marble walls
are wreathed by strings of flowers and vines, and the decadent
" 'I wish you had someone like Tatyana,' he enthused at smell of a feast wafts down the hall, blending with the fresh air
me. 'Oh, but I will...' I thought.”
The dawn of Strahd's final day. His pact was initiated in the and a symphony of flowers from the gardens.
vaults of the Amber Temple, but his eternal soul was sealed Guests filter into rows of chairs set to face the ceremony
by drinking of his brothers' blood. along the east wall. Standing at the front of the room as you
On the day of Sergei and Tatyana's wedding, Strahd's pass, next to an altar carved with bas-reliefs of angelic figures
twisted jealousy boiled over into an unrelenting rage. As entwined with grape vines, is Sergei in a white coat, decorated
Sergei bled and Tatyana fell to her death, another key with golden tassels and a priestly pendant on a cerulean ribbon
member of Strahd's court seized the opportunity to hanging from his neck.
overthrow the Lord of Barovia. At his waist is his sword, dazzling in the chromatic
Leo Dilisnya's forces plotted for months to turn the
wedding day red, and Strahd's transformation only fueled fragments of sunlight gleaming through the painted glass. On
their vindication. his right is Lady Ilona Dirovnya in blue and gold priestly robes,
standing poised to officiate. To his left, Strahd stands proudly
The Party's Involvement his red armor with golden angel wings and a heavy, black cape.
The characters are present for the wedding ceremony, He watches as you enter.
including the deaths of Sergei and Tatyana and Strahd's
battle against the traitorous forces led by Leo Dilisnya. As the characters explore the room or try to find seats, a
servant approaches on behalf of Tatyana requesting that they
come see her before the ceremony begins.
Ease of Access
This chapter adds a door on the north eastern
corner of the Chapel (area K15) connecting it
directly to the Chapel Courtyard (area K5). If you do
make this adjustment consider whether this door
is available to your players in the present day.

CHAPTER 6 | WEDDING BELLS 12

 The Blushing Bride Strahd's pupils thin when the scent of the wound finds him
If Ireena in the present timeline is set to marry and in his frenzy appears more beast than man. Amidst the
anyone this scene offers a chance to create a direct chaos, you hear the dozens of voices from the Amber Temple
parallel. Regardless of which body she is in, her echo: ‘Remove your obstacle.’ There is no hesitation. A pool of
soul may process her emotions about this day the
same. scarlet forms on the breast of Sergei’s pristine coat.
He tries to fight his older brother off, but Strahd’s fangs find
his throat. And Sergei's sword, drawn to protect his love, drops
to the cobblestone. Its blade falls loose from the hilt into the
Tatyana has a bit of information about her feelings and the
day that she shares to anyone who asks: rapidly spreading pool of blood though both halves continue
to dazzle in brilliant color from beneath the gore.
She's nervous. She loves Sergei, but she doesn't feel she
has anything to offer him. Many of the guests, including Tatyana, fight at the doors
She's never seen the castle this busy, and it is quite scrambling to leave, but more of the Dilisnya forces are
intimidating. littered throughout the crowd and begin to aid in culling the
She's been living in the castle, but still feels entirely out of group. Eventually, a few attendees and Tatyana flee to the
place here. garden. Strahd is locked feeding on Sergei.
"Elder" (Strahd) has seemed distant lately. Cold even.
More so than usual. She is worried that he does not The Escape
approve of the union. If the characters follow Tatyana into the courtyard, read:
When the characters have concluded their conversation
with Tatyana or settled her nerves, she sends them off to The castle halls and grounds are bathed in blood and drowned
their seats in the chapel, and asks that one of them walk her in desperate screams. The courtyard is greying. The sun is
down the aisle, if they would be so kind. gone. The spring afternoon is now choked by a deep mist that
claws its way over the castle walls.
The Attack
If the characters return to the chapel, they find enough open
chairs for all of them in the front row. The organ music from Tatyana is in a terrible state. If approached, Tatyana has
further in the castle falls into silence, and the large doors to nothing but questions:
the chapel are opened wide. A character that makes a Who betrayed us?
successful DC18 Wisdom (Perception) check notices that I saw Strahd change, I think. Did the traitors do
the attendants opening the doors and standing at the garden something to him?
exit are wearing armor. If a character takes notice, any Was Sergei hit? I couldn’t see. Is he alright?
further inspection reveals they are not wearing any von Did I see Strahd lunge at him?
Zarovich sigils. These are six Dilisnya family guards),
preparing to lock the doors as the ceremony begins. Several members of the Dilisnya forces eventually arrive in
When Tatyana enters (with or without her escort), the the courtyard in pursuit of Tatyana.
chapel doors are closed and locked behind her. She will join
Sergei, Ilona, and Strahd next to the altar at the front of the
room. When Lady Ilona begins the ceremony, however, at the An Even Fight
back of the room a crossbow is nocked. A successful Wisdom An assortment of NPC soldiers can be used in this
(Perception) check contested by the assailant's Dexterity encounter including a few Sergeants, Knights,
(Stealth) check alerts the character to someone drawing Gladiators, or some even War Chiefs depending on
their weapon and the groan of someone who has been quietly how challenging of a fight you're looking for.
stabbed.
The crowd is hushed, but the stillness of the moment is After three turns, Strahd arrives, covered in blood, three
broken by the snap of a string and the whistle of a crossbow crossbow bolts protrude from his armor, and his sword is
bolt that embeds itself beneath Strahd's left pauldron. Another drawn. Rahadin, Petyr Wachter, his young daughter Lovina
fires off from the back of the room toward Tatyana but is Wachter (Fiona Wachter's ancestor), and several nobles
stopped by Sergei, lunging forward to knock her from harm's
follow him out. He points them northward toward the
carriage house. Rahadin leads them on that way. Strahd will
way. The bolt instead embeds itself into his shoulder and a slay any remaining Dilisnya guards before rushing toward
flower of blood stains his white shirt. Tatyana.

13 CHAPTER 6 | WEDDING BELLS

 The Huntress of the Mountain Fane was once revered
Strahd limps toward Tatyana. ‘Betrayal…Tatyana, the Dilisnya’s
here. The most sacred and blessed members of the Forest
have betrayed us.’ ’Elder, you’re frightening me, what has People had their bodies committed to the holy tree, but by
happened to you? Where is Sergei?’ Strahd stops in his tracks perverting death and interring the walking dead to a place
as the mists seem to advance toward him. ‘He is gone! I am dedicated to eternal rest, Strahd corrupted the very earth.
here for you now. I will protect you.’ His new monstrous
features are only amplified by his stained, worn armor, and
The Desecration of the Fanes
Tatyana retreats. They continue in a dance; a lord’s wounded
For more information on the desecration (and
limp forward and a lady’s step back. Strahd moves faster possible reconsecration) of the Fanes, please check
toward her, and the mists grower more dense. It is not until out u/DragnaCarta and u/MandyMod’s incredible
you and Strahd hear the creak of iron that you realize you have histories for the locations. This chapter as well as
reached the castle’s overlook. the following chapter draw heavily from their lore.
’Tatyana!’ In her fearful daze, she reaches the railing and
tumbles. The mist parts beneath her. You rush to the ledge to
watch her in her white dress soar through the air like a spirit The servants of the Morninglord, including Gabriel Andral
toward jagged rocks below that peer over the clouds, but she and Sorina Markovia, fought tirelessly to stop him, but
is not dashed across them. There is no crash. There is no Strahd's cursed immortality meant that his success was
inevitable. The fall of the Mountain Fane at Yester Hill
blood. Thousands of feet below, the white dress simply fades
marked the beginning of the end for both the Forest People
into the mist. and a new beginning for Strahd von Zarovich.
Strahd rests broken, grieving. Tears of blood stream down his The Party's Involvement
face, and he will speak to the characters as if they are old The characters stand alongside Strahd as Forest People
imaginary friends. He will freely answer any and all questions deserters that have bowed to their new lord. They stand
about his life up to this point, and once the characters have against the Morninglord's soldiers that are fighting Strahd’s
spoken with him for some time. His final moments of reign and must ensure that the resurrected bodies of the
humanity fade with the arrival of Leo Dislisnya. fallen druids are consumed by the sacred tree, finalizing
months upon months of Strahd's corrupting ritual.
A bolt streaks through the air, and plunges into Strahd’s back.
Andral and Markovia fought back against those druids
Then another. And another. But he does not fall. Instead, what loyal to Strahd, but in slaying his forces, they played right into
little color remained flush in his cheeks drains from his skin, his hands and provided the victims for his unholy rite. If the
his eyes flood scarlet, and fangs extend from his mouth. He Gulthias Tree is desecrated here, Strahd also takes its blood
shrugs off the onslaught of arrows as though they are for the creation of the Heart of Sorrow.
raindrops. Leo Dilisnya steps through the encroaching mists at
the helm of over two dozen soldiers. The Grove of the Gulthias Tree
The grove around the once beautiful tree (area Y4) is
beginning to rot and fester due to Strahd's influence. When
Chapter Close they arrive on the hill, read:
"The blackness returned, covering me, covering the
world. Never to lift. It weighed upon me, heavier than the Rays of light divine fight to pierce the heavy cloud of Barovian
mountain, smothering and crushing me into something mist weighing on the ground; the sun engraved on an ornate
less than dust, but I was looking at dead men.
Before another hour passed, I’d send them wailing on shield beams as if it held its proper place in the sky above.
their way to rotting hell. All of them. All except the traitor Gabriel Andral shakily props himself up on his warhammer,
behind them." blood dripping from a gash on his forehead is mirrored by the
gore splattered on his weapon. Next to him is a young woman
Treasure shouldering a mountain of gilded plate armor; gripped tightly
The attuned creature may now cast Ceremony as a ritual in her gauntlets is a brutal morningstar. You stand just on the
spell once per dusk. edge of a wilting grove, high on a hill, before a colossal,
blossoming tree.
Chapter 7: The Corruption
of Yester Hill
“In my youthful folly, I believed I was the land. But time
revealed powers beyond the mortal mind still maintained
their hold here.”
Strahd's possession of the land was finalized when he
desecrated the Fanes of Barovia. His first step toward
eliminating them began with sacrificing undead hordes to the
once sacred Gulthias Tree.
CHAPTER 6 | WEDDING BELLS -
CHAPTER 7 | THE CORRUPTION OF
YESTER HILL 14
 If Andral and Markovia are left standing by the end of the
The Student, the Master, and the encounter, or if the players side with them and successfully
Dark Lord destroy all of the undead, Strahd uses a 4th-level spell slot to
For many years, Gabriel Andral supported Strahd cast Wall of Fire and surround anyone that opposes him.
and his rule, accepting that Strahd was simply not a If Strahd successfully sends at least three zombies into the
man of faith. Sorina Markovia, however, regularly growing maw of the Gulthias Tree, read:
advised her mentor that Strahd was a violent
warlord, and that the church must be careful of a The wood splinters again, parting to welcome what it believes
powerful man with no regard for the religion of the to be the remains of a sacred, revered warrior, but the ghastly,
country.
Andral remained Strahd's friend even after the shambling husk of its druidic protector commits itself to the
pact with Vampyr was struck. In some ways he maw. Bark peels from the trunk of the tree like decaying flesh
approved of the removal of the paganistic druids, falling from a rotting corpse. Globs of tree sap, glimmer amber
but he soon learned that Strahd would not stop even in the misty shroud, morph to a thick blood, and the
with their removal, and it was only a matter of time dew-like twinkle on the green leaves evaporates and boughs
before the Morninglord was stripped from Barovia
as well. (These histories have been adapted from crash down by the hundreds. The holy site lies in ruin. Strahd
this amazing guide by u/Tygrus: St. Andral and St. vanishes in a swirl of his cloak and reappears next to the tree
Markovia - Reimagined.) with a vial. He drags the glass along the tree and fills it with
bloody sap before fading into the mists that surround the hill.

If Andral and Markovia, with or without the help of the

’Strahd, you’re better than this. There’s no need for this to go
characters, are able to prevent Strahd's ritual, read:
on.’
You see Lord von Zarovich clutching a still beating heart his The cold isolation of the mist-choked hilltop becomes
claw. Five figures, their bodies wrapped in fibrous robes scorching hot as arcane flames rise in the grotto. 'Your
woven of natural materials and their faces obscured by heavy betrayal is noted, Gabriel. You've allowed Sorina to whisper in
hoods, lie scattered about his feet. He crushes the heart and your ear for too long. You of all people should know that this
tenebrous tendrils of energy writhe from it, wrapping around was inevitable. All those years ago, you asked of me to remove
the bodies and rooting them to the soil. the Ancient Ones from this place, did you not? It is of no
They rise to their feet, stoic, still. A series of cracks, snaps, consequence to me. Your Morninglord cannot reach you,
and rumbles follows. Behind you, a small army of skeletal cannot save you, cannot support you. He is gone, and this site
warriors clad in decrepit, tattered leather pry themselves from as well as the others, will fall in time.' In a whirl of black cloth,
long sealed cairns atop the burial mound. Strahd fades from view and into the clouds encircling Yester
Hill.
Gabriel Andral, a War Priest with a warhammer, and Sorina
Markovia, a War Priest with a morningstar, stand between
the characters, Strahd (with Wall of Fire and Danse Macabre Chapter Close
prepared), and his allies (5 Simplified Strahd Zombies “I set to raze and salt the earth to purify it. Neither the
(courtesy of u/Gerglie) and 2d12 Skeletons), and the Gulthias ancient spirits of the druids nor the gods of the old world
Tree. would rule above me. I am the ancient. I am the land.”
Strahd cast Danse Macabre using a 5th-level spell slot to Treasure
revive the druids. He orders the skeletons and the characters The attuned creature may now cast Hallow as a ritual spell
to protect the zombies as they march toward the tree, taking once per dusk.
the Dash action on each of their turns to reach it as quickly as
possible. Strahd is successful in desecrating the Fane if at
least three of the five zombies sacrifice themself to the tree. Chapter 8: The Heart of
Death for the Undead
the Old Gods
If the zombies begin the encounter at staggered
“I wrenched superstition and tradition from the claws of
distances, the last should be able to reach the tree
the few who clung to their old ways. The souls trapped
by round five, at which point the encounter is over. here were to succumb or suffer.”
In the months and years that followed the desecration of
the Mountain Fane at Yester Hill, Strahd learned more of the
sacred sites that remained within the ethereal Barovian
The players have full agency to side with either side of the borders. The two remaining sites dedicated to the Forest
encounter and may choose to ignore Strahd's order and Fane in the Svalich Wood—near where Old Bonegrinder now
instead defend the tree. If they do this, he commands the stands—and the Swamp Fane at the edge of the river town of
skeletons to deal with them as well. Berez, required careful observation and research in order to
permanently render them impotent.

CHAPTER 7 | THE CORRUPTION OF

YESTER HILL - CHAPTER 8 | THE HEART
15 OF THE OLD GODS
With the aid of his nursemaid, Lysaga and several hags, The Stones
including a young Morgantha, Strahd was able to complete Any character investigating the eight, non-cardinal standing
his domination of Barovia. stones can recognize depictions of a bear, elk, hawk, goat,
By severing and claiming the Rozana's connection to the owl, panther, raven, and wolf carved into their surfaces.
land itself he gained total control of Barovia; by combining At the foot of each stone is also a ruined carcass of the
their now perverted sacred essences he was also able to creature etched on the stone.
grant unholy life to a living heart that beats from within the A successful DC13 Intelligence (Medicine) or Wisdom
walls of Castle Ravenloft, a heart that protects him from any (Survival) check reveals that these animals were butchered
possible danger. within the last day and with precision and intent.
A successful DC15 Wisdom (Religion) check reveals that
The Party's Involvement nature deities often revere and protect creatures of the world,
At Berez, the party may observe the desecration ritual, and these have been strewn to intentionally and ritually
inspect the stones, and listen in on Lysaga and Strahd's disrespect whatever deity is (or was) worshipped here. Just as
conversation. rituals can be performed to honor the gods, some may be
At Old Bonegrinder, they play a more active role as hags performed to curse them.
working with Strahd to prepare raven pies that are to be fed The taller stones to the north, south, east, and west have
to nearby residents. priests of the Rozana bound to them. Any character that
approaches the southern or eastern stones sees the mutilated
The Standing Stones of Berez corpse of a priest, their body scarred and covered in cuts and
The characters arrive in the midst of the Fane’s desecration. lashes, and their hearts ripped from their chests. A successful
When the book’s mists fade, read: DC16 Wisdom (Medicine) check reveals that they were
starved and the wounds are both pre and post mortem.
The priest bound to the western stone is bloody and barely
Humidity swells, and damp air sticks to your skin. The stench
holding on to consciousness but alive. Their eyes have been
of putrid water swirling with rotting plants floods your nostrils, gouged out and assumes that anyone approaching is Lysaga.
and your feet sink into soft peat. A dozen moss-covered If the characters speak to them and make it clear that they
menhirs form a near-perfect circle in the spongy earth. These are not hostile, the priest will willingly reveal the following:
weathered stones range in height from fifteen to eighteen
They were kidnapped from their tribe.
feet, and four to the north, south, east, and west rise above
They’ve been here for at least a month. The witch has
twenty. A wild looking woman with sticks and mud plastered been feeding them just enough of something to keep them
to her greying hair stands at the northernmost stone, and in alive.
the center of the circle is Strahd von Zarovich, levitating Every day they are lashed for several hours, and during
inches above the muddy soil. their torture, the witch demands they renounce the
Rozana as false gods and recognize Strahd as their only
ruler.
The Witching Hour After the characters have investigated the area, read:
Strahd and Baba see the characters as converted
druids that are aiding in maintaining the A shriek ripples across the swamp, momentarily silencing the
desecration ritual. Each character wears dark, moss chirping and buzzing. The old woman steps away from the
covered robes decorated with plant matter.
colossal northern stone, with her bony fingers caged around a
still beating heart. She motions to Strahd with her open hand,
and he drifts toward her. The lord removes a glass vial from his
Baba Lysaga coat and slides it delicately through a mound of soil at the
Baba Lysaga attains her immense power by aiding Strahd in stone’s base.
his effort to corrupt the land. As the ritual is not yet complete,
Lysaga has the stats of a Barovian Witch. The heart gushes and squirms as if trying to escape, and the
She is currently lashing at a priest of the Rozana that has woman squeezes what blood remains into the vial to mingle
been bound and chained to the northern stone, demanding with the bog soil. Strahd seals the glass with a cork, kisses the
that they renounce their faith. woman tenderly on the forehead, and vanishes in a quickly
She has already cut the hearts out of the priests that are dissipating cloud, leaving her with a wide, motherly grin
chained to the stones at the south and east, but this one is cracking her aging face.
holding out and refuses to renounce the Ladies.
If approached, Lysaga asks the character for some
assistance with torturing the priest. She will otherwise not
reveal any substantial information and gets aggravated if the
characters ask too many questions because she supposes
that they should already know everything about what is going
on here. She does, however, revel in her work and will be
grateful and kind to anyone that helps her to torture the
priests.

CHAPTER 8 | THE HEART OF THE OLD

GODS 16
 The Monoliths of the Forest The lookalike stands upright and nods. ‘These will serve
The stones of the Seeker sit just outside of the walls of a hags nicely.’ The primary Strahd nods in return and bids the taster
hut on the top of a Barovian hill. The characters arrive inside to leave before kneeling and filling a glass vial with viscera,
of this makeshift, wood and mud hut. bird bones, and black feathers before blending into a cloud of
vapor and phasing through the silty walls of the hut.
The harsh smell of swampy decay withers, but the warmth
remains. The thick, heavy air is replaced with a dry heat, and
the mists coalesce into ramshackle walls made of twigs and If the party does not succeed on their skill check:
logs, dense wooden furniture, and all of the trimmings and
The lookalike collapses and vomits violently on the floor of the
decor of a kitchen. Scents of seasoned meat pies linger in the
hut. Strahd surveys the room, eyeing each of you with terrible
air.
distrust. ‘Potent, but I thought that we had discussed our goal
At the center of this small hutch is a standing, iron kiln, and
and were in agreement. Which of you was in charge here?’
horrid looking hags with dark blue-green skin, wiry hair, and
wretched fingers that creep like spiders’ legs huddle around it.
You now see your own skin is a blueish-green hue, and your
If a character steps forward they are hit by Strahd’s Unarmed
Strike attack. If none volunteer, he will systematically
hands are tipped with claw like fingernails. approach them until someone admits to being the leader, at
Strahd stands with you, no more than a few feet away in the which point, he will strike that character.
tightly crowded shack, pressed against a heavy table set with a
butcher’s knife and a wide array of diced vegetables and spice Strahd returns to his seat beside the charnel, and with a flick
jars. A black raven is restrained in his hand, fluttering feverishly of his wrist, conjures a spectral hand. The hand holds firmly to
to fly away, but he snaps its neck, and hands it to a young girl. a raven’s neck and begins to squeeze. blood drips onto the
‘Another for the cutting board, Morgantha. Feather it as you pile of feathered corpses, and Strahd furnishes a small glass
would like.’ With that, she lops the birds head clean off and tube that he holds beneath the steady drip, all the while
begins sloppily plucking its feathers. whispering an incantation.
With the addition of one of the black feathers to the vial, he
While the young Morgantha plucks the raven, Strahd exits corks it and returns to you. ‘I expect a proper dish upon my
the hut and returns with a new raven every thirty seconds or next visit. Experiment a little.’ His petrifying stare holds
so. The characters are free to explore the rather sparse hut intently to you before he evaporates into a cloud, blending
(area O5 in Appendix B) while the young Morgantha feathers
and chops. with the shadows that consume the muck-coated hut around
Once the characters have taken some time to look around, you.
Strahd speaks up, wondering why they are taking so long to
begin cooking. Morgantha will take a break from chopping to The Heart of Sorrow
help them prepare a recipe. The characters arrive near the top of the Spires of Ravenloft,
on the landing immediately next to the Heart of Sorrow (area
I recommend using these rules from Cecilia
K20) and the Bridge (area K58). Read:
D’Anastasio to run a skill challenge wherein the
party decides what dish they wish to make based A wailing wind brushes away the mists around you, revealing
on their trek around the room and their own cracking, ancient stone and a muffled vermillion glow. Low
interests—maybe they’ll discover an amazing thrumming rises and falls, and the light pulsates in unison.
recipe for raven pudding or the first iced-raven dish With the clatter of boot heel on stone, the light is effulgent,
instead of baking pies!
and reveals a ten foot tall, ruby-red gemstone in the shape of a
human heart, wrapped firmly in golden bands, and floating
over a depthless chasm of a tower spire. The doorway into the
While the characters work to prepare (DC16), cook (DC18), tower and the source of the glow are eclipsed by a cloaked
and plate (DC12) their new raven-based dish, Strahd
continues to snap neck after neck from the pile of raven figure—Strahd has climbed the stairs of the tower’s interior
carcasses. When the dish is complete, read: and now stands between you and the crystal.
With a nonchalant wave his black leather boots rise from
‘Someone will surely have to taste this…blasphemous meal.’ the staircase landing, and he glides through the air to the
Strahd claps his hands and a man with slicked black hair, harsh heart. He touches his hand to it and retrieves three glass vials
eyes, and a dreadful if regal air steps across the threshold of filled with murky admixtures. He pours the first over the top of
the hut—a man identical to Strahd in every way. The seated the gemstone. ‘I am the Ancient. I am the Land.’ The second,
Strahd invites his double inside, and the clone marches up to repeating the chant. And as he repeats the motion a third time
the freshly plated dish. with the final vial, the thrum turns to a pounding.

If the party succeeds in their skill check:

CHAPTER 8 | THE HEART OF THE OLD
17 GODS
 The ruby flashes in tandem with the sound again, and the A trumpet sounds from the army, thundering through the
crystalline structure cracks. Shards of the heart crumble and valley, and grinding, heavy metal gears and chains groan below
fall into the depths below, and layered beneath it, are bits of almost in response. A rapid series of clanks and clangs screech
flesh. Thump thump. Thump thump. The shell shatters and a from the gate houses, and the heavy chains of the drawbridge
ten foot tall human heart now hangs, aglow in the night. fall, unrestricted. The castle’s bridge crashes down, warping
and nearly snapping as it slams into position, spanning the
Chapter Close vast canyon.
“This was not mere iconoclasm. My faith was in myself. I
had none to spare for the gods” When the drawbridge drops, Strahd, for the first time in
Treasure
decades, is genuinely excited. He turns to Rahadin and the
party and nods. Rahadin turns southward to take his leave
The attuned creature may now cast Magic Jar as a ritual spell and attend to their guests at the front door.
once per dusk.
‘Rahadin, hold. Generals, I trust your judgement. Would you
Chapter 9: The March of like to join in my welcoming party, or would you like to attend

the Dawn to our dinner guests with Rahadin?’

“In life, the Morninglord’s light never reached me. In Once the party reaches a decision, Strahd opens his cloak
death, its presence was as an eternal plague.” and sends his familiar, a bat (or vampire parrot) named
Nearly two decades of terror passed after Strahd's bond Bartholemew, along with Rahadin. Their connection allows
with the land was complete. Gabriel Andral was killed Strahd to be fully queued into and aware of the events that
protecting the people of Vallaki from an onslaught of undead, unfold should the characters stay behind in the castle.
sacrificing himself to sate their hunger.
Five years after his death, Sorina Markovia amassed a In a plume of black, Strahd’s form dives over the battlement
small army of the faithful including mercenaries, hunters,
farmers, priests, and druids loyal to the old ways from across like a bird of prey in pursuit of a newly spied rodent. A rising
Barovia. They marched on Castle Ravenloft to destroy Strahd cloud of steam precedes a deep orange glow that rises to
once and for all. meet your eyes.
While ultimately unsuccessful, the resistance mounted by Strahd reappears, mounted nobly on a flaming, black steed.
the March of the Dawn was the closest that Strahd had been Its body is dense with muscle, but it’s face is skeletal and
to true death in years, and Markovia's martyrdom secured her vicious; its bony jaw and hollow eyes spew ash and embers
sainthood within the Morninglord's domain, even if her into the night sky.
remains were never recovered.
The Party's Involvement The Ravenloft Welcoming Committee
If the characters choose to follow Rahadin downstairs, read:
The characters serve as champions of Castle Ravenloft
during the battle. Strahd's decimation of the enemy forces The elf leads you around the edge of the castle’s walls to a
begins when the drawbridge leading to the castle is dropped
by a small covert force. As he descends upon the front line to steep spiral staircase that snakes through the center of
show them the wrath of their new god, his generals—the Ravenloft, down a narrow hall on the ground floor, and into an
characters and Rahadin—must drive back the forces in the archer’s post along the perimeter. Through slits in the stone,
castle or join him on the field. you have full view of the courtyard, but Rahadin presses his ear
to the eastern wall.
Prepare for Battle
The characters stand proudly on the ramparts of Castle Rahadin guides the party from the castle walls (area K46) to
Ravenloft (area K46) alongside Lord Strahd and Rahadin. the spiral Guards’ Stair (area K64) and out to the South
When the mists of the tome disperse, read: Archer’s Post (area K11). He is pressed up against the secret
door leading to the Dining Hall (area K10), and the pipe
Looking across the grand chasm that descends thousands of organ has been pushed aside so that the door can be used.
feet below the drawbridge, the mists and rain in the distance An adventuring party that has found themselves trapped in
part as a crowd of hundreds marches toward the edge of the Barovia is coordinating with Markovia in the invasion against
ravine. Leading the charge is a blinding, radiant light burning Strahd. They feared he would come for them soon, so with
through the watery veil like a small sun. the aid of the church they cast Teleport to gain access to the
castle and lower the drawbridge for the invading army.
A Barovian noble that supported their cause stole a utensil
from the dining hall to give them an anchor for the Teleport
spell, but Strahd’s servants discovered that it was missing,
and he was able to prepare for their arrival.

CHAPTER 9 | THE MARCH OF THE DAWN 18

 The party is made up of a Rogue Guerilla Scout or
Swashbuckler, Wizard Diviner, and a Paladin Holy With an arcane gesture and the wave of a black feather, you
Redeemer Paladin. feel lighter. Your feet rise from the floor. ‘Follow me.’ Strahd
When the characters open the secret door to the Dining whips the reigns of his horse and galloping, full speed through
Hall, read: the air toward the oncoming horde. ‘Ride, Beucephalus!.’
Strahd casts Fly on as many as may need it and dashes off
The stone passage slides open in conjunction with a grunt and
into battle. When the characters jump off of the wall, read:
the clang of steel. The luxurious dining hall of Ravenloft is
They soar nightmarishly fast and tear ahead of you at
devoid of its glamor. The darkened room, however, hosting its
blinding speed. The two swoop down, level with the
guests: a knight in glimmering mail and a slender figure in
drawbridge that is now flooded with commoners storming the
loose-fitting robes enshrouded in an aura of silver magic stand
front gates. The vampire lord extends his hand again and snaps
over what remains of five vampires.
his fingers. An invisible force erupts from the center of the
path sending nearly a dozen invaders plummeting over the
The Wizard has cast Mage Armor on themself and has
expended 1 spell slot of every level but 8th in order to secure unguarded sides of the precarious bridge.
their invasion and this chamber.
On their initiative in the second round of combat, the If any characters choose to descend here and fight the forces
party’s Rogue returns from lowering the bridge at the Gate back from the bridge, Strahd will warn them that he will not
Towers in the Front Courtyard (area K1) to join the fray. maintain their Fly spell much longer, and they will need to
On initiative count 20 in the second round the characters touch down or risk following their guests to the depths.
hear a massive explosion muffled by the stone walls, and dirt Otherwise, they may continue to follow him to the other
is shaken from the ceiling. Strahd has fallen from the sky as side, descend, and flank the army. When the characters have
Beucephalus is hit by a blast of radiant light and vanishes in a made their decision, read:
cloud of smoke.
On initiative count 20 in the third round of combat Strahd's Strahd sails over the guard towers and leaps from
pained scream carries over the valley, and through the walls Beucephalus’ saddle. Fletching feathers etch the arc of dozens
of the castle. The pouring rain outside turns warm and red. of arrows through the clouds, and after narrowly avoiding their
The blood rain forces any invading forces caught in the storm volley, Strahd plucks a black pearl from his coat sleeve.
to succeed on a DC18 Wisdom Saving Throw or their
morale leaves them. They are frightened and turn to flee from ‘Was it naivety or foolishness that allowed you to believe
the fight. that you could enter, without invitation, into the lair of a Dark
On initiative count 20 in the fourth round after combat Lord and escape without retribution? All of Barovia will suffer
begins, Strahd casts Maddening Darkness on the battlefield, for your hubris, Dawnmaster. All will know, that while your
gatehouse towers, and some of the bridge. He has severed his flock lives, there will be only darkness.’
connection to the Heart of Sorrow, and, in a fit of rage, the The pearl crumbles to dust in his palm; the silver reflection
spell area includes himself and Markovia. Characters inside of moonlight carried on the rolling mist turns crimson. The
of the castle hear the rain and all other noise outside fall moon above, now fighting through a gathering storm is blood
silent. red, and on the ground below, the grass wilts.
Waves of festering, necrotic energy ripple from a single
Turning the Tide patch of soil, the plague grows, the tendrils of vile magic lurch
At this point, if they have not already, the invasion hungrily outward, and in an instant, they swallow a sixty foot
party should be doing their best to retreat. sphere. Nearly a quarter of the armed men and women fighting
Consider having them vocalize their surrender or
to enter the castle drop dead in an instant.
execute some retreat strategy. Alternatively, you
may provide Rahadin with a powerful magical ‘Enjoy your feast, generals.’
object that he can use to either restrain or kill them
outright. The Devil Strahd uses one of his 6th-level spell slots to cast
Circle of Death on 4d10 commoners that came here believing
that their numbers would give them strength (and that the
Once the characters have dispatched or otherwise ended Morninglord would help protect them). Unfortunately for
their encounter with the invading adventurers, the mists flow them, neither are true.
around them, the castle walls melt away, and they arrive on Battle for the Drawbridge
the battlefield alongside Strahd. Should anyone fight at the bridge, Strahd soon snaps his
The People's Revolution finger and ends his Fly spell before continuing his own flight
If the characters choose to go with Strahd to the front lines, atop Beucephalus.
read: The characters come face to face with three waves of
Barovian soldiers fighting their way toward Castle Ravenloft.
The waves advance as follows, arriving each round.

19 CHAPTER 9 | THE MARCH OF THE DAWN

1. 2d4 Guard minions with 1 Hit Point each, AC14 The Devil's Wrath
(no shields), and equipped with crossbows and If the characters are in the field and have not yet defeated the
makeshift spears. invaders, any that remain outside of the sphere of the sphere
2. 1 Banneret Fighter of Maddening Darkness now flee. When the characters have
1d4 Guard minions had their fill of combat, all of the rebels escape, or all of the
3. 1 Eldritch Knight remaining rebels are killed, read:
1d4 Guard minions
On initiative count 20, after the arrival of the second wave, An oppressive, white hot column of light descends from the
the characters see Strahd fall from the sky as Beucephalus is heavens, crashing into the dome of shadow like a heavy stone
hit by a ray of radiant light and vanishes in a cloud of dust. shattering glass. The sky's blood dries to your face, the rain
On initiative count 20, after the arrival of the third wave, ceases, and before you, in a ray of pure sunlight stands Strahd,
Strahd's pained scream carries over the valley, and the face to face with Sorina Markovia—much older than when you
pouring rain turns warm and red. The blood rain forces all of
the invading force to succeed on a DC18 Wisdom Saving saw her during the unholy ritual at Yester Hill—clad in gold
Throw or their morale leaves them. They are frightened and and blue armor.
turn to flee from the fight. The land's Dark Lord and its Dawnmaster are on the verge of
On initiative count 20, in the fourth round after combat collapse. The ground at their feet is scorched, the scattered
begins, Strahd casts Maddening Darkness on the battlefield, dead lie incinerated. With a savage swing of Markovia’s
gatehouse towers, and some of the bridge. He has severed his morningstar, sparks fly from a previously unseen, arcane shield
connection to the Heart of Sorrow, and, in a fit of rage, the guarding Strahd's face.
spell area includes himself and Markovia. The mystical deflection catapults her weapon from her
The Last of the Forest People hand, sending sliding across the razed earth. Without a
If any characters continue to the battlefield with Strahd to moment's hesitation she lunges, drawing a stake from beneath
witness his Circle of Death up close, he ends his Fly spell her breastplate. The spike pierces Strahd's doublet, but is
after it is cast, dropping the characters on top of the bodies halted, frozen in place as the wood meets flesh. Strahd grasps
lying in the 60ft clearing left in the wake of his attack. the air as if he were holding the Dawnmaster’s collar and lifts
Beucephalus catches Strahd, and he rides toward the army, her from her feet while she gasps for breath.
taking part in the fight from directly above the characters.
Dozens more commoners turn to flee the scene in terror, 'I am a just ruler, Sorina. Do you not believe I have earned
but the raiding party knew this would not be an easy fight, my place as Lord of Barovia? This land's laws are my laws.
and are not yet deterred enough to leave. They continue their Breaking those laws means betraying me. And do you know
march, hoping to reach Markovia who is rallying her troops what happens to those who betray me? I would not suppose
in at attempt to knock Strahd from the air. A unit breaks from you would. There are none left to speak of it.'
the cluster beneath him and turns its attention to the Occult glyphs materialize between them that reform into a
characters. skeletal hand. Its pointer finger hovers above the
New segments of advancing soldiers will join the fray in
waves. The waves advance as follows, arriving each round. Dawnmaster’s heart and taps her chest. Sorina Markovia's
pained, violent scream is choked by a grotesque gurgling; she
1. 2d4 Tribal Warrior minions with 1 Hit Point each vomits bubbling, blackened blood, and her body hangs in the
2d4 Commoners air, still strung up by Strahd's magic like a twisted marionette.
2. 1 Ancestral Inheritor Barbarian The magic is dismissed, and Strahd falls to his knees
2d4 Tribal Warrior minions
3. 1 Arch Shepherd alongside the lifeless shell that clatters onto the ash-coated
2d4 Tribal Warrior minions battleground. With the light of the Morninglord extinguished,
the vampire dissolves in a cloud and drifts across the bridge.
On initiative count 20, after the arrival of the second wave, His gaseous form mingles with the mists enveloping Castle
the characters see Strahd fall from the sky as Beucephalus is Ravenloft.
hit by a ray of radiant light and vanishes in a cloud of dust.
On initiative count 20, after the arrival of the third wave, The body of Sorina Markovia rises sloppily to its feet, its
Strahd's pained scream carries over the valley, and the right leg bent backward at the knee, and it limps toward its
pouring rain turns warm and red. The blood rain forces all of new master and eternal servitude.
the invading force to succeed on a DC18 Wisdom Saving
Throw or their morale leaves them. They are frightened and Chapter Close
turn to flee from the fight. “The best way to rid the world of a plague is to begin with
On initiative count 20, in the fourth round after combat the rats.”
begins, Strahd casts Maddening Darkness on the battlefield,
gatehouse towers, and some of the bridge. He has severed his Treasure
connection to the Heart of Sorrow, and, in a fit of rage, the The attuned creature may now cast Summon Greater Steed
spell area includes himself and Markovia. as a ritual spell once per dusk. When the spell is cast in this
way, the creature may instead choose to summon a
Nightmare.

CHAPTER 9 | THE MARCH OF THE DAWN 20

 A servant arrives to pour tea for Lovina and her guests. The
Chapter 10: The Legacy of lady of the house tells Vasili and the characters more about
the reason for their invitation, her experience with Leo at the
Vasili von Holtz festival, and as much as she knows about the monastery. Her
“I finally took it upon myself to visit the new head of the knowledge includes:
Wachter family. Lovina Wachter was no longer the fragile- Knowledge about Leo
looking child I'd seen all those years before, but a ruler.
She extended her hand and greeted me warmly: Leo Dilisnya is a traitor that murdered my family.
‘Welcome, Lord Vasili.’ He has been hiding for the last 50 years.
Though Strahd was able to successfully silence and punish He still wears his signature necklace around his neck: a
those involved in the March of the Dawn, his words to the shining, golden lion.
now canonized St. Markovia were a lie. There is a single Lovina recognized his medallion immediately when she
traitor that escaped paying for their crimes against him: Leo saw him just one week before during the Festival of White
Dilisnya. Sun, a local celebration for the Morninglord.
Fifty years after the night of death and decay that She imagines he should be about 90, but he seemed
punctuated the end of Strahd's natural life, Lovina Wachter— strangely youthful. He couldn't have looked older than 50.
a guest that lost her family at Sergei and Tatyana's wedding He is a sick old man who deserves to suffer for the rest of
due to Leo's coup—discovered the location of her lord's most his days.
elusive prey and her family's nemesis. He is operating under the name Henrik Steinman.
Leo Dilisnya had taken up the nom de plume Henrik
Steinman and hidden himself away in a monastery high upon Knowledge about the monastery
Mt. Baratok. Believing his long exile had provided enough The monks that live in the mountains belong to an order
cover, he arrogantly believed he could return to the village of known as the Order of the Guardians.
Vallaki for a festival while wearing his signature lion pendant. The order is devoted to gathering and maintaining
Under the guise of Vasili von Holtz, Strahd followed restricted and ancient knowledge.
Lovina's instructions, located Leo, and damned him to a slow, The monks have all taken vows of silence.
painful death by starvation. She has visited twice before as a dignitary and has a
vague memory of the layout though she was not permitted
The Party's Involvement beyond the Grand Hall (area M3b).
The characters are present as Strahd arrives via carriage to Once the characters feel as though their questions have
Wachterhaus and transforms into Vasili von Holtz. After been sufficiently answered or Lovina shares all of her
learning of Leo from Lovina, the group sets out to the Order knowledge, Lady Wachter unveils a map and shows them the
of the Guardians Monastery resting on the cliffs of Mt. precise location of the monastery on the mountainside
Baratok to aid Strahd in his quiet hunt. overlooking Lake Baratok.
Wachterhaus The Mountain Pass
The characters are seated around the parlor of Wachterhaus When the characters decide to leave, read:
(area N4i) alongside a Vasili von Holtz and Lovina Wachter.
The sleek, ebony walls of Wachterhaus warp and bow. Mist
A Passing Familiarity leaks through the cracks in the panels and images of the night
The following description presumes that the sky clouded with ravens raise from the wood grain. The boards
characters have met both Vasili von Holtz and now frame the interior of a carriage. Gusts knock at your
Fiona Wachter and that they have been inside of windows, and the wagon bounces along a rough gravel road.
the Wachterhaus parlor. If this is not the case, you
may wish to consider rephrasing! Even the regal posture of Vasili von Holtz buckles slightly on a
particularly large bump on the path.
The clop of horse hooves and clatter of wooden wheels
Read: slows to a stop. Vasili looks through the window and surveys
the craggy vista, and with a deep inhale his vest darkens and a
A stone fireplace pops and crackles in a familiar, ebony- cloak drapes from his shoulders. A pallid undeath washes over
paneled parlor. Three elegant suede couches surround a table his face. The kind eyes sink into his skull. The lord of Barovia
made of obsidian and set with a stunningly crafted, gold-plated opens the door of his carriage and steps down its stairs to
ceramic tea set. meet the fresh mountain air and dirt of his land.
Two figures glimmer in the fire's glow, lightly masked by His physical form melds with the air, and you drift alongside
steaming tea: a woman in a red and black lace dress with him into the skies, climbing above hundreds upon hundreds of
strange familiarity to her aging face and a handsome man with feet of switchbacks and dangerous mountain paths woven into
kind eyes and an irresistible smile. A smile you recognize all the peaks as they rise well above the clouds.
too well. The smile of Vasili von Holtz.

CHAPTER 10 | THE LEGACY OF VASILI

21 VON HOLTZ
The Black Carriage comes to a stop at the base of a hill north Strahd is infuriated by this realization and informs the
of Lake Baratok and just south of hundreds of stairs that hug characters that he must remain at a distance. He then asks
the cliff face and lead to the entrance of the Order of the them to locate Leo on his behalf, summon him, and once they
Guardians Monastery (area M2). locate him, he will bear the pain in order to claim his prey. In
the meantime, he will observe the exploration from a
The Order of the Guardians Monastery distance.
This monastery was founded by members of the order that
maintained the Amber Temple as both an escape from the M2b. Acolytes’ Quarters
confines of the temple when its dark energies became For the next 100ft up the winding stairs, three two-story
overwhelming and as a secure location from which they domiciles follow alongside the path. If the characters choose
could study and meditate is quiet. to enter either building, read:
Monks' Knowledge A small, quiet room with little more than a wash basin, a barrel,
Most of the monks of the Order of the Guardians and a worn, splintering table is nestled into the mountain. A
Monastery know and are willing to share the following if the
characters are not hostile and request written directions or rickety ladder leading to a second floor is propped up through
information (or know sign language): a small square cut into the ceiling above.

The monks do not recognize the name Leo Dilisnya, but if These buildings each house two young acolytes. They are
they are asked about the location of Henrik Steinman, currently asleep upstairs and have no interest in fighting any
they nod, and gesture further up the mountain path. intruders.
Henrik Steinman is the Orator, the only monk in the order If roused, they will maintain their vows of silence but are
that is allowed to speak. accommodating to strangers and offer what little resources
He maintains all of the knowledge of the Order through they can. They live an ascetic life and beside the wash basin
verbal traditions and maintains other information in the and minimal rations, they have no material possessions.
library.
The members of the order are housed in ascending order M2c. Monks’ Quarters
up the mountain beginning with the Acolytes and The path reaches a natural outcropping before coming to a
continuing on to the Observers, the Binders, the Keepers, rickety ladder up to a relatively flat bridge that passes by 3
and the Readers. more two-story buildings.
Beyond the Readers' residence, the other buildings If the characters choose to enter any of the structures,
include the Overlook, the Sanctum, and the Orator’s read:
Chambers.
Any rooms belonging to the Scribe and the Orator are off Woody incense burn in caged censers fill a barren living
limits to other members of the Order and outsiders.
The order builds all of their structures with wood. chamber with a welcoming smell. Wisps of smoke mix with
the cold air and rise through a hole leading to a second floor.
M2a. Mountainside Stairs
When Strahd leaves his mist form and descends to the Each building, from left to right, houses 1d4 ascetic monks.
landing outside the first of the buildings, read: The monks in the respective buildings, from left to right, are
Observers, Binders, Keepers, and Readers. They are
Precariously secured rotting planks jut from the sediment currently asleep upstairs and have no interest in fighting any
layers of mountain stone. Hanging between segments of the intruders.
staircase are facades of buildings carved directly into the rock. If roused, they will maintain their vows of silence but are
accommodating to strangers and offer what little resources
When Strahd takes his first step onto the stairs, read: they can. They live an ascetic life have no material
possessions.
A violent determination possess' Strahd's face, but as his M2d. Overlook
leather boot presses to the first plank he recoils as if he The easternmost building of the monastery complex is a
touched a hot iron. The black cloak billows behind him like meditative chamber that the Order of the Guardians uses as
wings, and he retreats, gazing scornfully over the mountain both a facility to watch over the forests and lake below and as
complex.
a sacred place for the Readers, Scribe, and Orator to engage
with their sacred texts and histories.
It also serves as a connecting point for the living quarters
The monastery's religious rites protect this place from Strahd below and the sanctum above.
and other undead as if under the effects of a Forbiddance When the characters approach the Overlook, read:
spell. The monks from of a bygone age further warded the
Orator's Chambers, Auditorium, and Scribe's Library so that
these spaces could be used to protect and study ancient, dark
artifacts at a close distance. The effect is identical to an
antimagic field centered on the rooms.

CHAPTER 10 | THE LEGACY OF VASILI

VON HOLTZ 22
 The exterior of this building stands apart from the facades of
M3b. Grand Hall
the others. A tower-like structure stands inverted, its domed
When the characters open the door from the Dining Hall,
roof is embedded in the ground, and its foundation clings
read:
firmly to Mt. Baratok like a stalactite. A door once hung from
Braziers hang from the edge of a bannister overhead that give
rusting hinges bolted to the stone and wood ahead of you but
light to a cavernous chamber. A staircase is tucked against the
has long since worn away.
north wall and snakes around to a second story. A symbol is
branded to the floorboards and covers most of the room, and
If the characters decide to enter, read: resting over its furthest edge is a woven meditation mat.

The cleanly swept floors of this room sit empty. A ladder to

The open space in the middle of the room is used by the
the immediate left is propped up through to the second story.
monks for silent meditation practice.
The northern wall seems carved rather than paneled, and fitted The stairs lead to the Second Floor Landing (area M3e).
in the stone, spanning the entire eastern wall, is a sliding door. Two doors on the far western wall lead to the Scribe’s
study (area M3c) and a ladder (area M3d).
Beyond the sliding door is a balcony that runs the width of M3c. Scribe’s Study
the building and freely hangs out over the valley below. A
character looking out across the valley can see the distant The Scribe, Anya, is currently asleep at her desk in this room.
lights of Vallaki through the mist with a successful DC16 When the characters enter the room, read:
Wisdom (Perception) check.
Any character who climbs to the second floor finds a A nondescript desk with a nearly extinguished candle melted
slightly larger room with a desk and heavy, carved wooden down to its wick takes up most of the far wall. A robed figure
doors. The doors are locked, and the key can be found in the is hunched over a pile of papers on the tabletop.
Auditorium (area M3g). A character can also pick the lock
using thieves’ tools and a successful DC14 Dexterity check. A tall chest of drawers is propped up along the south wall
Through these doors is a larger meditation balcony, nearly that contains all of the individual pieces of a Priest's Pack
identical to the one below, and a heavy iron chest. The chest and all of the individual pieces of a Scholar's Pack. A
contains several scrolls detailing an incomplete and largely character can also locate a key hidden in the drawers with a
incorrect history of Barovia. successful DC16 Intelligence (Investigation) check that
On the southern wall is a door frame that opens to the opens the Scribe's Library (area M3f) and the Auditorium
Mountainside Stairs (area M2a) leading toward the Inner (area M3g).
Sanctum (area M3). A rack on top of the drawers carries 50gp worth of fine
The Order of the Guardians Monastery - parchment paper rolled into scrolls.
Inner Sanctum The Scribe
The figure at the desk is Anya Alexeev, the Scribe. She has
been working on recording recent Barovian events in the
A wall nearly twice the width and—by the numbers of chips,
Scribe's Library (area M3f) and came here to finish
cracks, and wear—twice the age, of the other buildings organizing her space for the following day but fell asleep in
extends from a recession in the mountainside. the process.
If she is disturbed, Anya is disoriented and flustered as the
This building is the longest standing piece of the Order's Scribe's Study is off-limits to anyone not of proper ranking
mountain complex. It houses their communal spaces as well within the order.
as the places they hold most sacred. She maintains her vow of silence but will actively try to
When the characters arrive this evening, the hall is nearly remove the characters from the premises, leading them to
empty except for the Scribe, Anya Alexeev. Anya is asleep in the Readers' quarters and communicating to the other monks
her study (area M3c). She left the braziers in the Grand Hall that the outsiders must leave.
burning (area M3b) and the Dining Hall (area M3a). In addition to the information in the Monks' Knowledge
section, Anya also knows the following that she will only
M3a. Dining Hall share if forced, manipulated, or threatened into sharing:
If the characters open the Inner Sanctum from the eastern
door on the path, read: She last saw Henrik Steinman in the Auditorium before
she fell asleep here. He usually stays there fairly late.
If the Orator is not in the Auditorium, he will be in his
A smooth, hand-carved table surrounded by matching chairs
bedroom.
extends the length of a thirty foot long hall. Shelves on the Their most recent work from today was documenting the
north end of the room are stocked with rations and utensils. A Festival of the White Sun that occurred in Vallaki.
door set in the west wall stands ajar.
Treasure. 50gp worth of fine parchment paper and a key to
The rations are salted, fermented fish. The western door areas M3f and M3g.
leads to the Grand Hall (area M3b).
CHAPTER 10 | THE LEGACY OF VASILI
23 VON HOLTZ
M3d. Ladder Leo Dilisnya
The ladder in this chamber climbs out of the Inner Sanctum, Leo Dilisnya has mysteriously survived for fifty years in
into the Acolyte’s Tunnel (area M3i) that leads to the Orator's Barovia after betraying Strahd. This is due to a combination
House (area M4). of his vigilant paranoia and several layers of magical
protection. He has sealed areas of the monastery with iron
M3e. Second Floor Landing doors (even though the monks have exclusively used wood in
The staircase winds around to a balcony that lines the south their construction for centuries), added running water to his
wall. A door to the east leads to the Scribe's Library (area own quarters, removed the windows from his chambers and
M3f) and a door to the west, at the far end of the balcony, the auditorium, takes regular hikes down to Vallaki for vials
leads to the Prayer Chamber (area M3h). of holy water used in protection rituals, and has killed dozens
of people to sate the anger and fury within the golden ring on
M3f. Scribe's Library his left hand.
The door to this room is locked and can be opened with the In a desperate effort to remain undetectable, Leo claimed
key found in the Scribe's Study. A character can also pick the an object from the Amber Temple nearly thirty years ago, and
lock using thieves’ tools and a successful DC17 Dexterity it is driving him mad. The Ring of Winter is a dark artifact
check. crafted by Delban, the Star of Ice and Hate and was long
If the characters enter this room, read: guarded by the monks of the order.
Crumbling, aged scrolls, rolled and bound by leather ties, pile
from floor to ceiling. Nested alongside the neatly ordered Artifacts and Anti-magic
bundles of parchment are hand-bound tomes in color coded The ring's abilities are unaffected by the protective,
anti-magic area of this room due to its nature as a
rows. dark artifact.

A door on the northern wall leads directly to the Auditorium

(area M3g). Roleplaying Leo
Any characters that stop to read through the materials find Leo has been expecting (and preparing for) Strahd’s arrival
that this library contains hundreds of years of Barovian for decades, and while he hoped that the Forbiddance spell
history, much of it dating back prior to Strahd's rule, creating protecting the monastery would keep the forces of the
a rich tapestry of knowledge about the land, the Fanes, the undead away until his own quiet death (he believes the ring is
religious rites of Forest People and Mountain Folk, and the slowing his aging, not preventing it), he has also built other
rule of King Dorian of the Tergs. contingencies into the room. He will not go gentle into that
The last fifty years have been thoroughly catalogued as good night.
well, but all of the information about Strahd himself is In his research, he has learned what Strahd has become.
dramatized and largely incorrect. They read like ghost stories He acts as if he is superior to and smarter than Strahd for
of a terrible monster. The March of the Dawn is recounted, having outsmarted him all those years ago, but in truth he
but Strahd is described to be a twelve foot tall demon with fears Strahd’s retribution above all else and will bargain with
hulking wings who breathes fire and can kill a man with his the characters to spare his life and betray Strahd.
red eyes alone. If the characters stop to speak with him, he will get more
M3g. Auditorium desperate the longer the conversation goes on and change
The door to this room is the only door in the monastery made persuasion tactics as follows:
with reinforced iron bars. It is currently locked and can be He will begin attempting to convince the party of Strahd’s
opened with the key found in the Scribe's Study (area M3c). A evil.
character can also pick the lock using thieves’ tools and a If they are not won over by the prospect of an alliance or
successful DC20 Dexterity check or break the door down attempt to threaten him, he will offer them 1000 gp (the
with a successful DC22 Strength check. remainder of his family’s fortune) that is stored in the
If the characters open the door, read: chest in his room (area M4c) to lie to Strahd and say that
he is not there. He will give them the key and send them
Candlelight creates paints monstrous shapes on the walls of on their way.
this small room. A marble podium stands in the northern wall. If the characters still disagree with him, Leo, a (High
Leaning over the dais is an aging man with tightly cropped, Priest wielding the Ring of Winter) will use all of the
greying hair, and a dense, fraying beard. Around his neck, powers at his disposal to flee and lock himself in his room
weighing heavily against his thick, wool robes, is an (M4c).
ostentatious golden lion head.

CHAPTER 10 | THE LEGACY OF VASILI

VON HOLTZ 24
 If the characters call for Strahd: 7. Leo will try to reach Strahd place of rest and drive a stake
into the vampire's body.
Leo will use all of the powers at his disposal to kill his
opponents and will wait for Strahd's arrival here to Unfortunately for Leo, even a vengeful and prideful Strahd
restrain him before fleeing to his quarters. is an intelligent and adept tactician and soldier.
On initiative count 20, on the second turn after combat 1. If Leo attempts to freeze Strahd, he will turn to mist as
begins, Strahd bursts through the wall and through his soon as the ice begins to form around him.
desperate pain, lunges at Leo, and attempts to cast a 2. Strahd will return to his physical form outside of the
Fireball, disregarding any other targets in the room. monastery's walls and cast Fly on himself.
If the characters do not warn Strahd, the antimagic field 3. If he has fallen below half of his health he will flee,
dissipates his spell. Leo attempts to stake him. pledging that he will find Leo eventually.
After casting the spell, he will realize his error in
judgement and focus on dealing non-lethal damage. M3h. Prayer Chamber
If Strahd knows of the anti-magic field, he will instead take If the players enter this room, read:
Leo’s mace and attempt to knock him unconscious.
Once Leo has been knocked out, Strahd will slough his The low groan of a shifting foundation groans through the
body over his shoulder and leap from the hole in the wall, quiet tranquility. A hooded figure looms silently in the corner,
falling until he can cast Fly on himself. its limbs drawn beneath a cloak.
If the characters side with Leo or otherwise convince him
that they are here to help him, he will tell them on his plan:
This room is used exclusively by the Scribe and the Orator as
1. Lure Strahd into this protected room, assuming his hubris a place of quiet meditation and prayer. Any other monks that
will draw him into the anti-magic trap. need to climb to the Orator's House (area M4) must do so by
2. The pain brought on by the Forbiddance spell will prevent climbing the ladder and exiting through the Acolyte's Tunnel
Strahd and his forces from reaching him, and if they do (area M3i).
arrive they will be badly weakened. The statue here is dedicated to the Order's founder who
3. He will use the power of the Ring of Winter's Flesh to Ice led the construction of the monastery on the mountainside in
ability to freeze Strahd solid. order to keep a watchful eye on (and a respectful distance
4. He will also use the Ring of Winter to decrease the from) the Amber Temple. An engraving at the base of the
temperature of the room down to -30 degrees Fahrenheit. statue simply reads: "The Guardian."
5. With the temperature cooled and Strahd frozen, he will
shatter Strahd's body. M3i. Acolyte's Tunnel
6. Strahd will be forced into a mist-like state and will try to This tunnel is a man-made cavern carved into the mountain
find a resting place that would have to be nearby, likely at to allow Acolytes to cross through the Sanctum and bring the
the base of the mountain. Orator food and drink when necessary.
CHAPTER 10 | THE LEGACY OF VASILI
25 VON HOLTZ
The Order of the Guardians Monastery - M4c. Indoor River
The Orator's House In another attempt at staving off Strahd, Leo has dug through
As the Order strictly adheres to their hierarchy, no other the mountain walls to an underground river and diverted its
monks are permitted to enter the Orator's House. As such, flow through the building, forming a protective barrier of
Leo has continued to live as luxurious of a lifestyle as his running water.
family's remaining fortune has permitted. The barrier is not perfect and will not actually keep a
When the characters approach the exterior, read: vampire from entering Leo's Quarters (area M4d). He has,
however, hidden a Light Crossbow and 20 silvered crossbow
Reinforced iron secures the doorway of the structure at the
bolts under the water.
end of the path. A cascade of water rushes down the mountain
Treasure A light crossbow and 20 silvered bolts.
on the far side of the building, raining down into the haze M4d. Leo's Quarters
hundreds of feet below. When the characters enter this room, read:
Leo Dilisnya has replaced the door to the Orator's House Opulent violet bedding drapes over the edges of a bed built
with an alloy of iron and silver and created a makeshift for a king. At its foot rests a banded iron chest, thrice locked
waterfall to reinforce his defenses against the undead after and secured to the floorboards. Standing stalwart over the bed
learning that iron and running water may protect against chamber is a ten foot tall suit of armor clutching tightly to a
vampires. claymore.
It is currently locked and can be opened with the key found
on Leo's person in the Auditorium (area M3g). A character
can also pick the lock using thieves’ tools and a successful The suit of armor is a medium-sized Iron Golem wielding a
DC22 Dexterity check or break the door down with a silvered greatsword that Leo has enchanted to protect him
successful DC25 Strength check. from any intruders. If someone enters the room without
speaking the command word, "Dilisnya", within one minute of
M4a. Living Room entry, the golem will spring to life and follow its order: "kill
When the characters open the door to the house, read: anyone who you do not recognize."
The lead-lined chest at the foot of the bed is currently
The scent of pine and trickle of water fill the room with a locked and can be opened with the key found on Leo's person
sense of natural comfort. Aside from those features, however,
in the Auditorium (area M3g). A character can also pick the
lock using thieves’ tools and a successful DC25 Dexterity
this room is gaudy and overflowing with abundance. An check.
extravagant, lion's pelt rests in front of a well-crafted fireplace. Inside is a bag of assorted gold coins and gemstones with a
A gilded chandelier is hoisted overhead by rope and hangs total worth of 1000 gp, several patches and brooches
above the headrest of a leather lounge chair. Along the depicting the Dilisnya house sigil, and a smaller coffer.
northern wall, a set of stairs climbs to a second floor. The coffer is locked and sealed with an Arcane Lock spell.
Leo has disposed of the key, and it can only be opened using
M4b. Second Floor Landing
thieves' tools and a successful DC35 Dexterity check. The
chest protects a Manual of Clay Golems that Leo obtained in
Leo has done his best to keep warm, even with the cold the event that his Iron Golem is ever lost or destroyed.
embrace of the Ring of Winter closes in on his mind and Treasure The chest at the foot of the bed contains 700 gp
body. As such, he has tried to lay exquisite, Vistani rugs down worth of assorted gemstones, 300 gp in gold coins, and a
across the floorboards and light the torches of his home with Manual of Clay Golems.
magical fire. These efforts, however, are not helping. The Iron Golem in the corner wields a silvered greatsword.
The second floor of this building is where Leo spends most
of his time, and the ring's presence has left a painful chill
here.
A stream cascading from the north wall and into the
southwest corner of the room still runs, but large chunks of
ice occasionally impede its smooth flow.

The temperature on this floor reaches extreme

temperatures. Characters who don’t have heat
sources, cold weather gear, or magic to protect
them are subject to the effects of extreme cold, as
described in the “Weather” section in chapter 5,
“Adventure Environments,” of the Dungeon
Master’s Guide.

CHAPTER 10 | THE LEGACY OF VASILI

VON HOLTZ 26
 A Gift for a Friend One of Strahd's Vistani spies rushed to the castle to inform
When Leo is knocked unconscious or killed, Strahd flees, or him that the tribe had turned against Patrina, but the Dark
the characters have otherwise completed their mission on Lord arrived too late. He could not save her, but he could
the mountain, read: enact a deft and terrible revenge on the Dusk Elves and
ensure that they could never continue their legacy.
Fog blurs the ancient buildings and stone of Mt. Baratok.
Walking alongside you in the cloud is Vasili von Holtz, his
The Party's Involvement
mouth soaked red with blood and the body of Leo Dilisnya The characters arrive along with Strahd and Rahadin at the
slouched over his shoulder. The haze condenses and turns to a dusk elf and Vistani encampment on the outskirts of Vallaki.
They have come to finish the genocide committed by Strahd's
cold stone.
family and led by Rahadin against the elves, and the party is
The young noble lowers the man's body into a coffin set to help to round up the victims.
into the wall of a mausoleum and seals the grave shut before
climbing into a velvet-lined black coffin.
The mists erase the coffin from view, and Vasili stands The module indicates that Rahadin was sent by
Strahd to commit this atrocity all his own. This
before you once more, clean. Rested. Heavy granite doors chapter supposes that Strahd, in both his boredom
scrape open from a staircase not far behind you, and the and driven by frustration, would want to be present
measured, steady click of boot heels follows. Lovina Wachter for the event. If you do not feel Strahd would
greets her guest with a bow. ‘Well, where is he?’ attend directly, you may wish to skip this chapter.
Vasili gestures to the carefully placed tablet that now seal You could also have his familiar, a bat (or vampire
parrot) named Bartholemew, accompany Rahadin
Leo Dilisnya's grave. and deliver Strahd’s lines as Rahadin.
'What, then, is left to be done? I'd rather hang him from the
gates than simply watch his corpse rot.' Her words are almost The history of the dusk elves in Barovia has also
interrupted by a panicked scream from within the walls of the been adjusted slightly using pieces of
tomb wailing desperately for aid. Lovina presses her ear to the u/TheAmuzingMu's "Much Ado About Dusk Elves."
surface and a look of devilish glee possesses her somber These changes include:
visage. 'Will he die?' Kasimir and Patrina are the prince and princess
'Eventually.' Lovina Wachter finds a seat on a nearby that Rahadin betrayed for King Barov because
sarcophagus. The lace of her dress dusts the mausoleum's he disproved of their “weak” leadership.
floor, and as she comes to rest, she bids Vasili to take his leave All of the male dusk elves are killed in this event
rather than the female elves.
while her full attention remains drawn to the final, tormented Kasimir is a transsexual male elf and does not
resting place of Leo Dilisnya. need to be killed alongside the other men.
This chapter will allow for either history to be
Chapter Close useful largely by changing the pronouns used, so
“At that, Lord Vasili smiled and bowed low, his promise keep the alterations in mind if you're interested!
fulfilled."
Treasure
The attuned creature may now cast Forbiddance as a ritual The Dusk Elf Camp
spell once per dusk. The characters stand at the top of the hill of the Vistani
Camp (area N9). The key difference this evening is that the
Chapter 11: The Final Dusk Vistani wagons are nowhere to be seen, instead a gruesome
murder lies before them. When they arrive, read:
"My curse is to know no happiness. No love. At every turn
this accursed place turns them to ash, slipping from my The tops of pine trees pepper your periphery. Fading light far
grasp." beyond the clouds grows distant, and you recognize that it is
Strahd, even after almost a century, continues to believe nearly sundown here in Barovia. You linger around a circle of
that Tatyana is rightfully his true love, but for some time
before meeting her and in the time after her death he figures clad in dark cloaks and leather armor. Many of their
maintained something close to what a normal person would faces are obscured, but those that aren't have distinctly elven
call a relationship with Patrina Velikovna of the Barovian features. At their feet, is an unmoving humanoid shape. A
dusk elves. muffled, but forceful shockwave bursts out from the center of
Patrina, of course, never held a candle to Tatyana in the crowd. Their hoods are blown back, and one lunges at you,
Strahd's eyes. Regardless, he does not enjoy others taking their eyes burning with death and hatred. 'Traitor!' They shout,
things that he believes to be his. The dusk elf tribe killed locking eyes with the Rahadin, who stands unmoving at your
Patrina after they discovered she was apparently in league side. The now unhooded elf spits forcefully, but their
with Strahd, and their decision incited the wrath of the devil
himself. projectile meets an invisible surface and drips through the air.

CHAPTER 10 | THE LEGACY OF VASILI

VON HOLTZ - CHAPTER 11 | PATRINA
27 VELIKOV AND THE FINAL DUSK
The elf that attempted to spit at Rahadin is Kasimir Velikov, There are currently 3d10 dusk elves unaccounted for on
the current leader of the dusk elves and Patrina's sibling. the hilltop that are still within the area of the camp. A small
The boom of energy was a Forcecage spell that Strahd has portion of the remaining population are currently off in other
cast to seal in the perpatrators of Patrina's murder and areas of Barovia at the moment and are killed in the days and
prevent them from aiding the other elves. The cage is 20 feet weeks that followed as Strahd ensure his vengeance was
on a side and is made from 1/2-inch diameter bars spaced carried out in full.
1/2 inch apart. He is slowly climbing the hill toward the party. The 3d10 dusk elves in the area of the camp are hidden
Before he arrives on the scene, the characters may choose around the hill in their hovels and along the edge of the
to briefly investigate their surroundings or speak with forest. Any character searching inside of a home can find 1d4
Rahadin. dusk elves inside with a successful Wisdom (Survival)
If the characters choose to speak with Rahadin he will check contested by the elves' Dexterity (Stealth) check.
willingly (even with a tinge of frustration) explain why they Any character searching the woods can track 1d4 dusk
are here, but he will not share any information about his own elves through the foliage with a successful Wisdom
past or his relationship with the tribe. (Survival) check contested by the elves' Dexterity (Stealth)
check. Any elves hiding in the forest have advantage on this
The Caged Elves skill check.
Trapped inside of Strahd's magical cage are thirteen dusk Any elves found in the search will plead with the characters
elves, including Kasimir Velikov and the body of Patrina to keep them safe, insisting that they did nothing wrong. If
Velikovna. any characters inquire about what is going on, they will share
If approached, the elves are initially hostile to the the following information:
characters but will share the following information out of
bitterness: Patrina, Kasimir, and some of the others have practiced
magic for ages, but she was beginning to explore the
Strahd corrupted Patrina and her mind. They killed her to darker sides of the arcane.
prevent her from becoming a terrible monster like him. Patrina has regularly been the tribe's liaison with the
Rahadin is a traitor to his people, and it is his fault that castle.
there are so few of them left here. Kasimir and the others believed that Patrina was too close
If the characters ask what they can do to help the elves in to Strahd and that she had become a danger to the tribe.
any way, they must first succeed on a DC22 Dexterity If any character directly requests that the elves come with
(Stealth) check to speak quietly enough that Rahadin does them or the characters attempt to remove any of those in
not hear them. If they are noticed by Rahadin will actively hiding by force, the elves will bargain for their safety by
pull the traitor away and question their loyalty. If they defy offering:
him or otherwise deny their fealty to Strahd, he will attack.
If they are successfully able to whisper to the caged elves, a Up to 5gp per person, their life savings.
character can convince the dusk elves to trust them with a A protective prayer from an old Elven deity.
successful DC18 Charisma (Persuasion) or Charisma An individual may volunteer themselves and request that
(Deception) check. The elves will share the following: the rest of their family be spared and allowed to flee.
A promise that they will disappear from this place and
The remainder of the tribe may not yet know that Strahd Strahd will never find them.
is here, and they must be warned that they are in danger.
Help protect the children. The devil will not hesitate to kill They do not believe that they can actually escape Strahd,
everyone. but they will try to make a case for it. Any character trying to
There are some hovels just beyond in the woods, you may discern the elves' intent can easily recognize genuine fear. A
be able to hide them there. successful DC12 Wisdom (Insight) check reveals that these
people are honestly offering all they have.
After a minute or so has passed, read:
Mission Accomplished
Strahd's cloaked silhouette rises from beyond the edge of the The characters must round up at least twelve of the elves or
hill, and his demonic eyes fall on the body. A look of righteous disappoint Strahd. If they are unable to locate the elves, he
fury and a hint of pain, masked beyond the rage, flicker in his will cast Thunderwave at 5th-level when the party is together
at the top of the hill, knocking them back and forcing them to
eyes. 'Find the rest so that we may never be plagued by their
make a DC15 Dexterity saving throw or be knocked down
ilk again.' the hill and take an 3d10 bludgeoning damage on a failed
Rahadin, unsheathes their sword, and marches across the save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
grass toward a smoke stack climbing into the sky no more Regardless of the characters' performance, Rahadin
than a hundred feet away. returns with a group of 10 elves bound together with rope by
the end of the hour.
The Hunt
The characters are tasked with locating the remaining dusk
elves in the camp and returning them to the top of the hill so
that Strahd can finish them off.

CHAPTER 11 | THE FINAL DUSK 28

 Snuffed Out Though it pained him to do so, Lazlo decapitated Marina
With the characters and elves gathered atop the hill, many before Strahd could complete the bride ceremony that would
unconscious or otherwise injured, read: make her undead transformation permanent and helped
Strahd to realize the full pain of his curse.
Strahd closes his hand and magical force releases a shockwave
around the captured elves. The subtle thud accompanying the The Bride Ceremony
magical cage is punctuated by a shout. Rahadin's voice draws Vampires are able to create new undead fairly
Strahd's eyes to Kasimir Velikov, reforming from an ethereal easily, but creating a new vampire bride is not a
cloud of glimmering vapor. simple process. The important information to keep
in mind for the events here is that the “first step is
Arcane flakes of snow and ice flurry around their hand, and an that a vampire feeds on a mortal, nearly to the
avalanche explodes toward the vampire lord, but with an point of death, on three separate occasions. Once
the vampire is done with the third feeding, they
irreverent wave and a 'Halt' the magical storm melts to a immediately cut themselves open and press their
puddle. intended's mouth to the bleeding wound so that
they drink vampiric blood.” You read all about the
The chamberlain rushes to his master’s aid and shoves the full ceremony in this amazing write up by
enraged wizard to their knees, and with a single cut, lops off u/guildsbounty.
the caster’s ear. 'You may keep the other for now so that you
might hear their screams as they burn. Your sister was better
than you could ever hope to be. You're a failure and a disgrace Every ounce of obsessive passion that Strahd had (and still
to your people. I will not allow you the grace of making that has) for Tatyana boiled over, and he rained hell upon the
mistake again.' settlement for robbing him of his true love, leaving the quiet,
riverside town the decaying swamp that it is today.
Something sparks beneath a young elvish prisoner, and in a
flash they are consumed by a raging bonfire. 'One...' And he The Party's Involvement
points to the next. The party has the opportunity to visit the bustling town of
Berez, two days prior to its destruction. On the first day they
arrive in town alongside Vasili von Holtz to visit the
Chapter Close burgomaster who has come into possession of several books
"If Tatyana's beauty was as a river in a spring flood, of old magic.
Patrina's was a brushfire smoldering in a dying forest. He bids them to leave when he lays eyes on Marina, and
With her flame extinguished, I ensured her murderers the characters are able to explore the town while they wait
joined me in the cold night." for their lord to finish conducting his business.
Treasure The Gossip of Berez
The attuned creature may now cast Forcecage as a ritual Anyone the characters interact with in town knows the
spell once per dusk. following:
Concerning the Town
Chapter 12: A Soul's
The town square is bustling during the day, but Berez
Return goes dark after sundown to hide from Baba Lysaga and
"The girl's auburn hair was braided high and her clothes her hut.
more closely resembled rags, but it was her. The same Baba Lysaga is a terrible spirit of a wood witch that was
Tatyana I'd known all those years ago..." killed here.
Strahd believed for decades that he was doomed to never Taltos' Trading Post has supplies if you're headed on a
see Tatyana's face again. That his curse was to lose his love journey. Their prices are quite reasonable.
for eternity. It was not until he met a young servant girl by the River's End doesn't receive a lot of visitors, but their
name of Marina in the village of Berez did he realize that accommodations are just fine.
Tatyana's soul could find new life. He could try again. The Church of St. Ecaterina and the graveyard behind it
In an attempt to succeed where had failed decades before, are maintained by Father Grigor.
Strahd hoped desperately to charm Marina and turn her into Concerning the Burgomaster
a vampire to rule by his side. Over the course of the three
days after their meeting, Strahd watched over Marina's every Lazlo Ulrich is the burgomaster of Berez.
move and each night he would return to her home, charm He's fat and lazy but mostly stays out of the town's way.
her, speak with her, savor their time together, and ultimately Marina Ulrich was adopted by the burgomaster when she
feed on her. Unfortunately for him, Marina's adoptive father, was young.
Lazlo Ulrich—the burgomaster of Berez—and the local priest Rumor has it he actually wants to undo the adoption and
recognized her symptoms as the telltale signs of a vampiric marry her.
corruption.

CHAPTER 11 | THE FINAL DUSK -

29 CHAPTER 12 | A SOUL'S RETURN
Concerning Marina Taltos Trading Post
She was found unconscious along the river by Father Taltos Trading Post is Berez's general store. The owners,
Grigor as a young woman. Harkus and Kala, sell items from the Adventuring Gear table
She does not remember where she came from before in the Player's Handbook, but only items lower than 25 gp in
arriving here. the table.
She is a kind woman that offers her help to those in need. Harkus Taltos (Vargas Vallakovich)
A Day (or Three) About Town A person who has few joys left in life.
In the early days of Strahd's rule, the town of Berez He cares deeply for his wife.
continued to prosper for a limited time. While the party He is easily offended if anyone disrespects the store or
explores the town they have the opportunity to meet a complains about the merchandise.
number of Berez's inhabitants and take a brief respite to pick Day 1: He is cleaning and restocking shelves.
up some supplies. Many of the townspeople are Barovian Day 2: He is trying to do some accounting work and some
souls that the characters have encountered on their journey of the numbers appear to be off.
that found new bodies to inhabit centuries later. Day 3: He is upset with Kala about her side business.
Kala Taltos (Fiona Wachter)
Reduce, Resoul, Recycle
Reincarnated Barovian souls physically resemble
A woman that is frighteningly melodramatic. There is a
their past lives, but their personalities may be
flair about her that most Barovians simply do not have.
wildly different. This gives you the opportunity to She makes all of her own clothes.
toy with your players expectations for the citizens She manages all of the finances for the trading posts.
of Berez. She is lying to Harkus about how successful the business
If the characters don't recognize any of the is at the moment and has been doing work around town to
citizens listed here, feel free to swap them with keep them afloat.
NPCs that you think they'll recognize! Day 1: She is cleaning and restocking shelves.
Day 2: She is walking around behind the building,
hoping to sneak away to do some farming work.
The cottages (area U1), church (area U4), and the town Day 3: She is fighting with Harkus and then
square (which stands in the open space between the cottages marches off to River's End for a drink.
and area U3 in the present day) are all busy and bustling. The River’s End
town square also includes a shop and an inn: Taltos Trading River's End is Berez's inn and tavern. On Day 1 and Day 2 the
Post and the River’s End. inn is empty. On Day 3, Kala Taltos can be found at the bar.
Outside There are casks of all three wines from the Wizard of
The village is busy with trade, conversation, and work during Wines Winery here. A pint of Purple Grapemash No. 3 is 3
the afternoon. If any characters choose to spend time cp, a pint of Red Dragon Crush is 1 sp, and a pint of
wandering around outside without entering a specific Champagne du le Stomp is 3 sp.
location, they may encounter one or both of the following Miruna (Anna Krezkov)
characters:
A woman with a bored and flippant demeanor and an
Darzin (Bildrath Cantemir) indifference to new customers.
A local turnip farmer with a passion for his crops. She inherited the inn from her family, but she's been jaded
He is chipper and excited about the upcoming harvest. by the fact that no one ever visits Berez except for the
He's close friends with Harkus Taltos. occasional Vallakian or Vistani merchant.
Day 1: He is wandering around the town square talking to She spends most of her days recording bits of gossip she
people. hears in a journal and will actively share any ongoing
Day 2: He is in his yard, harvesting turnips. information about other people in the town.
Day 3: He is in the town square with a stall, selling his Day 1: She is actively writing down notes about what she
vegetables at a farmer's market. saw other people doing in the town square.
Day 2: She is spying on the characters from the top floor
Grilsha (Gertruda) and comes downstairs when they enter.
Day 3: She is rolling an empty cask of Red Dragon Crush
A young woman who spends most of her days taking care out of the front door.
of her father.
Every so often she has the opportunity to spend the
afternoon wandering near the river.
She is a devout follower of the Morninglord and wears a
pendant made of vines and a stone around her neck.
Day 1: She is leaving her home for a walk around town.
Day 2: She is leaving the church and headed home.
Day 3: She is buying some turnips from Darzin.

CHAPTER 12 | A SOUL'S RETURN

30
 St. Ecaterina's Church Day 2: He demands that he have some time alone with
St. Ecaterina's Church has the same layout as the churches of Marina.
Barovia and Vallaki, without the undercroft. It was named Day 3: He helps a nursemaid take of Marina as she
after Fatima Ecaterina, a priest of the Morninglord that the appears to be on death's door.
people of Berez believed fought back Lysaga and her wood Marina Ulrich (Ireena Kolyana/Tatyana)
witches.
The story is untrue. Lysaga is alive and well and has A sheepish but physically strong girl who has grown up in
become the hag-like creature she is in the present day. the burgomaster's mansion as more a servant than an
Ecaterina did, however, successfully chase the witches from adoptive daughter.
the land and consecrate the church grounds. She only vaguely remembers being found by the river.
She has had strange dreams of living in a castle all her
Father Grigor (Izek Strazni) life.
A fanatical priest of the Morninglord with a zealous but She spends almost all of her time inside of the mansion.
kind energy. He truly wants what is best for the city, even if Lazlo does not like her to leave often.
he is a bit aggressive about it. She loves to read when she can find new books to sink
He firmly believes that the Morninglord is the only way into.
that anyone can be saved from undeath or the torture of Day 1: She serves the house's guests and will step in and
Baba Lysaga. out of the parlor with food and drink.
He fears that anyone walking around outside after dark
may be a monster. Day 2: She is a bit under the weather but spends her day
He well read and knows how to kill vampires and prevent with Vasili in the parlor.
the dead from being raised. Day 3: She is bedridden with an intense fever, has been
He has stopped burying bodies and started burning them vomiting blood all morning, and appears paler than the
without anyone’s knowledge even though it is against his Barovian mist. She is on the verge of a total vampiric
belief as a priest. transformation.
He has dug up most of the cemetery and has been
systematically burning the bodies in secret. Lazlo Ulrich
He cares deeply for Marina Ulrich and regrets not taking A pompous, self-absorbed man that was once a great,
her under his wing himself. charismatic leader and now uses his age as an excuse to
Day 1: He is giving a sermon and blessing a handful of binge on food and drink.
orphans that help around the church. He has tried to grow his own wine grapes here in town.
Day 2: He is digging a new grave in the cemetery, but it is He will brag about them, but they are rotting and the wine
for show. He has actually been digging up old ones to is practically undrinkable.
make sure they have not been bitten, as he got word from He secretly wants to marry Marina. She would be his
the burgomaster about Marina’s sudden illness and fourth wife.
suspects that she may be turning. He contacted Strahd to offer up some old books that he
Day 3: He is preparing a kit including holy water, a stake, found in the attic after Rahadin visited the town a few days
garlic, a symbol of the Morninglord, and a mirror to take ago on the lord’s behalf, requesting that everyone conduct
with him to the burgomaster's mansion just before a thorough search of their family heirlooms and shelves.
sundown. The burgomaster arrives at the end of the Day 1: He is as gracious a host as he can be to Mr. von
conversation to talk to Grigor about the plan for later that Holtz and his guests.
day. Day 2: He is binge drinking and ranting to one of his
The Burgomaster's Mansion servants in his suite about how he's been put out in his
The burgomaster's mansion of Berez has the same layout as own home by an assistant to a lord that doesn't exist.
those of Barovia and Vallaki. Lazlo hosts Vasili and the Day 3: He takes an early morning trip to the church to tell
characters in the mansion's equivalent to the parlor (area Father Grigor of Marina's sickness. Grigor immediately
N3b). recognizes the symptoms, and the two meet in secret at
Vasili will request that his escorts leave the parlor after he the church in the afternoon to discuss killing Marina if it is
lays eyes on Marina, but he will be too focused on her if they too late.
decide to stay against his wishes.
Vasili von Holtz Time to Move On
A day in Berez ends after the characters have taken
He has come to Berez to gather some powerful magical the time to speak to at least two townspeople or
tomes in his pursuit of esoteric knowledge. have otherwise spent sufficient time investigating
Upon seeing Marina, his focus becomes entirely dedicated the village.
to understanding what he is seeing. You may also choose to give them more or less
He spends his days here learning as much as he can about time to explore as the core story of Berez's
her. destruction is documented through Strahd's
relationship with Marina after the sun has set.
Day 1: He will spend the day asking the burgomaster
questions about Marina as she darts in and out of the
room.

31 CHAPTER 12 | A SOUL'S RETURN

Visits in the Night Night Three: A Flood
At the end of each of the three days in Berez, the characters When the third day ends, read:
witness Strahd's visits with Marina (and her gradual
transformation) firsthand. White light of the moon melds with the deep crimson pooling
beneath a ghostly nightgown. Marina Ulrich's body lies still
Night One: A Reunion
with a stake embedded in a gaping wound in her chest. The
When the first day ends, read: Dark Lord of Barovia weeps, and he leaps, without thought,
toward her, but before he can hold her cold hand, her pale skin
The woman that you know to be Ireena Kolyana rests
greys and dissolves into vapor. Marina is gone.
peacefully in her bed. From the shadow in the corner of the
The celestial light filling the bedchamber is dulled. Storm
room, Strahd von Zarovich rises as if separating himself from
clouds coalesce overhead, thunder cracks, and lightning
the night and shifting into a beacon of moonlight. He stares at
strikes. The storm buckles Lazlo Ulrich and Father Grigor to
her with a kindness not seen in his eyes for centuries.
their knees, prostrate before their dread lord.
'Tatyana... Tatyana...' The young woman sits up her bed, a haze
Grigor draws something from his robes and plunges with all
swirls in her eyes, and she returns his longing stare.
his weight toward Strahd. The vampiric claw catches the
priest’s wrist and snaps his arm in two. Lightning paints the
Strahd sits with Marina through the night, covering his
presence with his vampiric charm, and reminding her, in sky outside, and in its revealing flash, the burgomaster is
excruciating detail, of his alternate version of her past life. A bathed in a red mist erupting from what was, only moments
life they shared together. He ends the conversation by sinking ago, Grigor.
his teeth into her neck and laying her to rest just before The corpulent coward is dragged to his feet. His pleas for
sunrise. forgiveness are suppressed by the shattering of glass, and with
Night Two: A Promise a point, Strahd catapults Lazlo’s flailing body into the storm.
When the second day ends, read: Hurricane winds batter the exposed room and lift you into
the skies. The already murky clouds of Barovia deepen in their
Silver spears of light reflect off of beads of sweat gathering on sorrow. The torrential, horizontal rain and outraged winds
a young woman's pale skin. Marina wheezes. She rises to meet emulate their lord’s fury. Lightning bolts seize into a cage of
her love, but a hacking cough knocks her to the floor. electricity that surges through the soil.
But her weakness is not mirrored in the fervor with which An inky darkness eclipses Strahd, forming a devilish shape
she rises, and they embrace. cast against the streaks of lightning in the storm. ‘I once
His breath meets her neck. Pearled fangs protrude from his believed that I had but one lifetime to suffer. I now recognize
gums, extending past his lips, and they find their mark on her it is not only my lot to live eternally but to suffer eternally as
throat. A geyser of blood paints the deathly hues of their skin. well. I will grant you no such honor. Your death will be eternal,
Marina exhales a groan of pain and ecstasy so intense that she but dying will be painful. I will be certain of that.
trembles and collapses into Strahd's arms. 'Soon, my love. You The burgomaster’s boots cannot find purchase in the bog.
and I will share our eternity together. As we were always meant Watery vortexes surge around him. A roar, harsher than the
to.' thunderous clouds rises from the ground.
Walls of water climb hundreds of feet into the air,
condensing the power of the storm and the maelstrom of the
Luna River into tidal waves that lay waste to the town below.
The shifting river’s current, now littered with wreckage, ebbs.
Strahd remains airborne, peering over the decimation left in
his wake.

Chapter Close
"Nearly half a century had passed, and I'd grown
accustomed to the pain of mourning. Then to have her
return—to have a glimpse of the paradise that lay before
us—and then to lose her again... It was too much.
Despairing, I wallowed in the mud and gave in to the
grief."
Treasure
The attuned creature may now cast Tsunami as a ritual spell
once per dusk.

CHAPTER 12 | A SOUL'S RETURN 32

 Epilogue: A Lord's Rest
When the characters are ejected from the end of Chapter 12
and return to the present day, the text of the chapter is
recorded as usual, but the ink continues to fill in on the
following page. If the characters follow along with the text,
you can either read the following or refer to the handout in
Appendix C.
'How many times over the centuries had I met you?
How many times had I lost you? I could not say. You ever
wore the same face, but under a different name,
sometimes a wholly different personality, though
somehow I'd always found a way to touch those hidden
memories in you heart.
'And somehow, we'd always lose. Throughout the
generations, we would lose over and over again, forever
trading joy for grief.
'If I could just once break the pattern, break whatever
curse that kept us apart. In doing that, I might find
freedom for us both.
'But year after year fled by; they piled into decades,
massed into centuries.
'How many lay before me? And were they all to be as
lonely as those I'd already had? Unable to answer,
unwilling to guess, I sit and stare at your portrait and feel
another night slipping away into the irretrievable past.
'If I could just rest. Sleep. Sleep for more than just a
single day, sleep away all my sorrows and lose myself in…
I wasn't sure. To drift, dreamless and serene. To forget.
To… rest.'

33 EPILOGUE | A LORD'S REST

Appendix A: Spell Rewards
Chapter Reward
Prologue: Youth Illusory Script
Chapter 1: The Battle of Argynvostholt Unseen Servant
Chapter 2: The Rise of Ravenloft Gentle Repose
Chapter 3: Brothers in Arms Mage Armor
Chapter 4: Tatyana Philter of Love (Recipe)
Chapter 5: The Unholy Communion Commune (with Vampyr)
Chapter 6: Wedding Bells Ceremony
Chapter 7: The Corruptionof Yester Hill Hallow
Chapter 8: The Heart of the Old Gods Magic Jar
Chapter 9: The March of the Dawn Summon Greater Steed (Nightmare)
Chapter 10: The Legacy of Vasili von Holtz Forbiddance
Chapter 11: The Final Dusk Force Cage
Chapter 12: A Soul's Return Tsunami

Appendix B: Maps
Many of the maps referenced here are found within the Curse
of Strahd module itself. For original maps designed for the
purposes of these adventures, see below:
1. The Hag's Hut
2. The Order of the Guardians Monastery
Appendix C: Handouts
1. Item Card
2. Letter announcing the death of Queen Ravenovia
3. Final page excerpt
Credits
The Homebrewery for the amazing template
u/Umbramy for their conversion of the Tome into an
interactive experience.
u/FartBot_9000 for collecting some of the subreddit's
expanded lore into a more detailed Tome.
P.N. Elrod for the character work done for our Dread
Lord in I, Strahd.
Forgotten Adventures for the endless, beautiful map
assets used to create the Order of the Guardians
Monastery and the Hag's Hut.
Mist XG for the piece that inspired my depiction of
Vampyr.
James RPG Art for the unparalleled artistic depictions of
Barovian landscapes.
u/flamableconcrete for the watercolor page stains to give
life to the Vampyr image on paper.

Appendices 34