Curse of Strahd - Flip eBook Pages 1-50 (2024)

CURSE OF STRABO.

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CREDITS This book is based on the 32-page D&D adventure Raven/oft
published in 1983 by TSR, Inc. Here are that book's credits:
Lead Designer: Christopher Perkins
Creative Consultants: Tracy and Laura Hickman Designers: Tracy and Laura Hickman
Designers: Adam Lee, Richard Whitters, Jeremy Crawford Editor: Curtis Smith
Managing Editor: Jeremy Crawford Graphic Designer: Debra Stubbe
Editor: Kim Mohan Illustrator: Clyde Caldwell
Editorial Assistance: Scott Fitzgerald Gray Cartographer: David C. Sutherland Ill
D&D Lead Designers: Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford
The following D&D books also provided material and inspiration:
Art Director: Kate Irwin
Additional Art Direction: Shauna Narciso, Richard Whitters Cordell, Bruce R. and James Wyatt. Expedition to Castle Raven/oft.
Graphic Designer: Emi Tanji 2006.
Cover Illustrator: Ben Oliver
Interior Illustrators: Dave Allsop, Fran�ois Beauregard, Mark Behm, Elrod, P.N. /, Strahd: The Memoirs of a Vampire. 1993.
Hickman, Tracy and Laura. Rahasia. 1984.
Eric Belisle, Zoltan Boros, Jedd Chevrier, Daarken, Lake Hurwitz, Nesmith, Bruce with Andria Hayday. Realm of Terror. 1990.
Chuck Lukacs, Howard Lyon, Ben Oliver, Adam Paquette, Rob Pozas, Claudio. "Fair Barovia." Dungeon 207. 2012.
Rey, Chris Seaman, Richard Whitters, Kieran Yanner TSR, Inc. Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium, Volume One.
Cartographers: Fran�ois Beauregard, Mike Schley, Ben Wootten
1999.
Project Managers: Neil Shinkle, Heather Fleming ---. Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium, Volume
Product Engineer: Cynda Callaway
Imaging Technicians: Sven Bolen, Carmen Cheung, Kevin Yee Three. 2000.
Prepress Specialist: Jefferson Dunlap
Playtesters: Robert Alaniz,* Mal A'menz,* Glen Ausse, Jerry
Other D&D Team Members: Greg Bilsland, Chris Dupuis, David Behrendt, Teddy Benson, Anthony Caroselli,* Christopher
Gershman, John Feil, Trevor Kidd, Christopher Lindsay, Shelly D'Andrea,* Jason Fransella,* Jeff Galper, Elyssa Grant, Steve
Mazzanoble, Ben Petrisor, Hilary Ross, Liz Schuh, Matt Sernett, Heitke, Mary Hershey, Sterling Hershey, Justin Hicks, Shaun
Nathan Stewart, Greg T ito Horner, Donald Jacobs, James Krot, Yan Lacharite,* Jonathan
Longstaff,* Michael LeClair, Ray Lillard, Eric Lopez, J.M., Matt
Disclaimer: Wizards of the Coast cannot be held liable for any long­ Maranda,* Cris McDaniel, Randy Merkel, Lou Michelli,* Mike
term side effects of venturing into the dread realm of Raven/oft, Mihalas,* Daniel Norton,* Lucas Pierce, Claudio Pozas,* John
such as /ycanthropy, vampirism, a fear of dead things, a fear of living Proudfoot,* Rob Quillen II, Karl Resch,* Jason Riley, Sarah Riley,
things, an inability to sleep without a nightlight on and a +5 holy Arthur Severance,* Sam Sherry,* Zach Sielaff, David "Oak"
avenger under your pillow, and the unsettling suspicion that Strahd is Stark,* Jayson Thiry, Steve Townshend,* Kyle Turner,* Will
too clever to be so easily defeated and that this is alljust part of some Vaughn, Peter Youngs
grand scheme of his to extend his power beyond Barovia. You didn't
think you could escape unless he wanted you to, did you? *This playtester provided feedback for a group.

ON THE COVER

The master of Ravenloft is having guests for dinner,
and you are invited. Ben Oliver sheds light on the
vampire Strahd von Zarovich, whose dark past is a
tale to be told, and whose evil knows no bounds.

62086517000001 EN
ISBN: 978-0-7869-6598-4
First Printing: March 2016
987654321
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast, Forgotten Realms, Ravenloft, the dragon ampersand, Player's Handbook, Monster Manual, Dungeon Master's Guide, all other
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are property of Wizards ofthe Coast. This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or art­
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Represented by Hasbro Europe 4TheSquare Stockley Park lJxbridee Middlesex UBJJ JEI UK..

CONTENTS

Foreword ...................................................... 4 Ch. 10: The Ruins ofBerez ................. 161 Rictavio ......................................................238

Introduction................................................. 5 Approaching theRuins .......................... 161 Strahd von Zarovich ...............................239
Running the Adventure.............................. 5 Areas ofBerez.......................................... 162 Strahd Zombie.........................................241
Sidebar: A ClassicRetold.......................... 5 Special Events..........................................166 VladimirHorngaard ...............................241
Marks ofHorror........................................... 7 Wereraven .................................................242
Ch.11: Van Richten's Tower............... 167

Ch.1: Into the Mists .................................. 9 Approaching the Tower.......................... 167 App. E: The Tarokka Deck..................243
Strahd von Zarovich ................................... 9 Areas of the Tower ..................................168
Fortunes ofRavenloft ............................... 11 Special Events.......................................... 171 App. F: Handouts ...................................251
Kolyan Indirovich's Letter (V. 1) ..........251

Sidebar: UsingRegular Ch.12: The Wizard of Wines.............. 173 Strahd's Invitation...................................251

Playing Cards ......................................... 11 Approaching the Vineyard..................... 174 From the Tome ofStrahd ......................252

AdventureHooks....................................... 18 Approaching the Winery........................ 174 Journal ofRudolph vanRichten ...........254

Ch. 2: The Lands ofBarovia ................. 23 Areas of the Winery ................................ 176 Kolyan Indirovich's Letter (V. 2) ..........256
Lay of the Land .......................................... 23 Special Events.......................................... 179 Journal of Argynvost ...............................256

Alterations to Magic..................................24 Ch.13: The AmberTemple................. 181

Barovians .................................................... 24 Sidebar: Extreme Cold........................... 181 Maps

Sidebar: Barovian Names ....................... 25 Areas of the Temple ................................183 Barovia* ....................................................... 35

Sidebar:Barovian Calendar ................... 26 Sidebar: Amber Sarcophagi .................191 Tser Pool Encampment* ...........................36

Vistani ..........................................................26 Special Events..........................................196 Village ofBarovia*..................................... 42

Random Encounters.................................28 Ch.14: Vester Hill ..................................197 Church..........................................................46
Sidebar: Strahd's Spies ........................... 29 Areas of theHill.......................................197 CastleRavenloft
Areas ofBarovia ........................................ 33 Special Events......................................... 200 Map 1:RavenloftHeights• ...........Poster
Sidebar: The Lands ofBarovia: Map 2: Walls ofRavenloft* ................. 53
Common Features................................. 33 Ch. 15: Werewolf Den ...........................201 Map 3: Main Floor• ............................... 55
Sidebar: Travel through the Mists....... 201
Ch.3: The Village ofBarovia................ 41 Areas of the Den ......................................203 Map 4: Court of the Count•................. 62
Approaching the Village .......................... 41 Special Events..........................................205 Map 5: Rooms of Weeping• ................ 65
Areas of the Village ................................... 43 Map 6: Spires ofRavenloft*................ 71

Special Events............................................48 Epilogue ....................................................207 Maps 7, 8, 9, 10:
Strahd Prevails ........................................207 Spires ofRavenloft•.......................... 73
Ch. 4: Castle Ravenloft........................... 49
Random Encounters................................. 49 Strahd Dies...............................................207 Maps 11, 12: Larders of Ill Omen,
Walls ofRavenloft ..................................... 52 Dungeon and Catacombs*............... 75
Main Floor................................................... 54 App. A: Character Optioos..................209
Court of the Count..................................... 61 CharacterBackground...........................209 Elevator Trap.......................................... 76
Rooms of Weeping .................................... 64 Sidebar: MonsterHunter's Pack..........209 Traps in Area K73................................. 80
Spires ofRavenloft.................................... 69 Gothic Trinkets........................................ 210 Vallaki*......................................................... 97
Larders of Ill Omen................................... 74 Blue Water Inn ........................................... 99
Dungeon and Catacombs ........................ 79 App.B: Death House............................. 211 Burgomaster's Mansion......................... 104
History........................................................ 211 Wachterhaus............................................. 111
Ch.5: The Town ofVallaki.................... 95 Rose and Thorn .......................................211 Coffin Maker's Shop ............................... 116
Sidebar: Level Advancement ................ 211 Vistani Camp ............................................120

Approaching the Town............................. 95 Sidebar: DeathHouse's Features........212 OldBonegrinder......................................127
Areas of Vallaki.......................................... 97 Areas of theHouse.................................. 212 Argynvostholt: Ground Floor and
Special Events..........................:...............123 Sidebar: Dungeon Features·················· 217 Second Floor......................................... 131
Ch. 6: OldBooegrioder ........................125 Endings......................................................220 Argynvostholt: Third Floor,
Approaching the Windmill....................125 App. C: Treasures ..................................221 Rooftop, andBeacon...........................137
Areas of the Windmill ............................126 Tome of Strahd......................:..................221 Krezk* ........................................................144
The Megaliths...........................................128 Magic Items...............................................221 Abbey of Saint Markovia:
Ground Floor ........................................ 149
App.D: Monsters and NPCs...............225
The Abbot..................................................225 Abbey of Saint Markovia:
pper Floor and CeIIar ......................153
Animated Objects....................................225
Baba Lysaga..............................................228 Tsolenka Pass ··········································158
Barovian Witch ........................................229 Baba Lysaga's CreepingHut................. 163
Blight, Tree.......·.........................................230 Berez• ......................................................... 164
yan RIChten,s To. wer ............................... 170
Ezmerelda d'Avenir.................................230
Ch• 7: ArgynvosthOIt..............................129
The Order of the Silver Dragon ...........129

uSidebar:Revenants ofBarovia.............130

Approaching the Mansion.'....................130
SApreeacs1.ao1 fEAvregnytns.v..o..s..t.h...o..I.t................................:......................113402

Ch. 8: The Village ofKrezk.................143 Izek Strazni..............................:................231 Wizard of Wines Wioery........................ 175
Areas of Krezk.................................:........ 143 Kasimir Velikov................:.......................232 Amber Temple: Upper Level................. 182
Areas of the Abbey ..........,....................... 147 Amber Temple: 1::0�1;,r Level.'.......... ....:..190
Special Events.....................,...........,........155 . YesterHill......:......:..:.....................,...:.,.....199·
·
w.Ch. 9: Tsolenka Pass................... ...........157
MMoandgarmelEfovlak...........:.....·.............·...................:.223343
I��·��;�·;·: : : : : : : : : : : : ;.:�;:: : : : ;;!:. -t::� ::�:�.:'.:-: : :: :·:·: :::· : : : : : : : : : : : : :;��AreasofthePass.....................................157 : ;�d�:::
Special Events.:...:....:..,............:...............159 Rahadin ...............:......:...........:............ ...:..-.236' *Appears ori the poster map

FOREWORD: RAVENLOFT REVISITED

E TURNED THE CORNER, AND THERE WAS Godwin and her husband-to-be, Percy Shelley. One
a vampire. night inJune, Byron suggested that they each write a
ghost story. Mary Shelley's contribution to the effort
I groaned and rolled my eyes. would later become Frankenstein. The short story "The
It was 1978, and I was playing in Vampyre," published in 1819, was Polidori's contribu­
one of my first dungeon adventures. It tion. He was Byron's personal physician, and the first of
was being run by a friend I had known the so-called "romantic" vampires under Polidori's hand
in high school,John Scott Clegg, and it was actually modeled after Lord Byron.
was typical of the type of adventure that
people played in those days. It was all about exploring a Byron-like the fictional vampires that he inspired,
hodgepodge collection of rooms connected by dungeon from Polidori's Lord Ruthven down through the penul­
corridors, beating up the monsters that we encountered, timate work of Bram Stoker-was a decadent predator,
searching for treasure, and gaining experience points. an abuser hidden behind a romantic veil. He was a
Now we were face to face with random encounter comely and alluring monster-but a monster neverthe­
number thirty-four: a vampire. Not a Vampire with a less. The romantic vampire of the earliest years of the
capital V, but a so-many-Hit-Dice-with-such-and-such-an­ genre was not just a spouse abuser but a spouse killer,
Armor-Class lowercase vampire. Just another monster the archetype of abuse in the worst kind of destructive
in the dungeon. codependency.
I remember thinking at the time, What are you doing
here? This creature seemed completely out of place with For Laura and me, those were the elements that truly
the kobolds, ores, and gelatinous cubes we had seen defined Strahd von Zarovich-a selfish beast forever
thus far. This was a creature who deserved his own set­ lurking behind a mask of tragic romance, the illusion of
ting and to be so much more than just a wandering mon­ redemption that was ever only camouflage for his prey.
ster. When I came home from that game, I told all these
thoughts to Laura. Initially we were going to title the adventure Vampyr­
That was when Strahd von Zarovich was born. one of a series of games we called Nightventure that
Strahd would be no afterthought-he demanded Laura and I were self-publishing back in 1978. The
his own setting, his own tragic history. Laura and I castle was called Ravenloft, and when Halloween came
launched into researching the mythology and folklore around each year, our friends asked us if we could play
surrounding the vampire. We started with the vague, "that Ravenloft game" again ... and so the better title
black-and-white image of Bela Lugosi in 1931, but found won out. It was, in part, because of this design that I
so much more. was hired by TSR, Inc., to write DUNGEONS & DRAGONS
The first "modern" literary foundation of the vampire adventures in 1982. Soon thereafter, 16 Ravenloft was
was penned byJohn William Polidori based on a frag­ published.
ment of a story by Lord Byron. It was while at the Villa
Diodati-a rented house next to Lake Geneva, Switzer­ Since then, fans of Ravenloft have seen many different
land-that Byron and Polidori met Mary Wollstonecraft creative perspectives on Barovia (a country which, by
absolute coincidence, is featured in a 1947 Bob Hope
movie called Where There's Life). It continues to be one
of the most popular DUNGEONS & DRAGONS adventures
of all time. In its various incarnations, each designer has
endeavored to bring something new to the ancient leg­
end of Strahd, and to each of the.m we are grateful.

But the vampire genre has taken a turn from its roots
in recent years. The vampire we so often see today
exemplifies the polar opposite of the original arche­
type: the lie that it's okay to enter into a romance with
an abusive monster because if you love it enough, it
will change.

When Laura and I got a call fr.om Christopher Perkins
about revisiting Ravenloft, we hoped we could bring the
message of the vampire folktale back to its original cau­
tionary roots. The talented team at Wizards of the Coast
not only graciously took our suggestions but engaged us
in a dialogue that delivered new insights on the night­
mare beyond the gates of Barovia.

Now we invite you again a� our guests to pass through
the Svalich Woods if you dare. For here the romance
is tragically dangerous ... and a true monster smiles at
your approach.

Tracy Hickman .
May 2015

INTRODUCTION This book is meant for you, the Dungeon Master,
alone. We recommend you read the entire adventure
l NDER RAGING STORM CLOUDS, A LONE before attempting to run it. It assumes that you have
figure stands silhouetted against the an­ the fifth edition Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's
cient walls of Castle Ravenloft. The vam­ Guide, and Monster Manual.
pire Count Strahd von Zarovich stares
down a sheer cliff at the village below. A The Monster Manual contains stat blocks for most of
cold, bitter wind spins dead leaves about the monsters and nonplayer characters (NPCs) found
him, billowing his cape in the darkness. in this adventure. Descriptions and stat blocks for new
Lightning splits the clouds overhead, casting stark monsters and NPCs are provided in appendix D. When
white light across him. Strahd turns to the sky, re­ a creature's name appears in bold type, that's a visual
vealing the angular muscles of his face and hands. He cue pointing you to the creature's stat block in the Mon­
has a look of power-and of madness. His once hand­ ster Manual. If the stat block is in appendix D, the adven­
some face is contorted by a tragedy darker than the ture's text tells you so.
night itself.
Rumbling thunder pounds the castle spires. The Spells and nonmagical equipment mentioned in the
wind's howling increases as Strahd turns his gaze back adventure are described in the Player's Handbook.
to the village. Far below, yet not beyond his ken, a party Magic items are described in the Dungeon Master's
of adventurers hasjust entered his domain. Strahd's Guide, unless the adventure's text directs you to an
face forms a twisted smile as his dark plan unfolds. item's description in appendix C.
He knew they were coming, and he knows why they
have come-all according to his plan. He, the master of Text that appears in a box like this is meant to be read
Ravenloft, will attend to them. aloud or paraphrased for players when their characters
Another lightning flash rips through the darkness, its first arrive at a location or under a specific circ*mstance,
thunder echoing through the castle's towers. But Strahd as described in the text. Indoor and nighttime descrip­
is gone. Only the howling of the wind-or perhaps a lone tions are written with the assumption that the adventur­
wolf-fills the midnight air. The master of Ravenloft is ers are using a torch or other light source to see by.
having guests for dinner. And you are invited.
STORY OVERVIEW
RUNNING THE ADVENTURE
Adventurers from a foreign land find themselves in
Curse ofStrahd is a story of gothic horror, presented
here as a DUNGEONS & DRAGONS roleplaying game Barovia, a mysterious realm surrounded by deadly fog
adventure for a party of four to six adventurers of levels
1-10. A balance of character classes is helpful, since the and ruled by Strahd von Zarovich, a vampire and wiz­
adventurers will face a variety of challenges. Each char­
acter class will certainly have its moment to shine. ard. Using a deck of tarokka cards to predict their fu­

A CLASSIC RETOLD ture, a fortune-teller named Madam Eva sets them on a

This adventure is a retelling of the original Raven/oft ad­ dark course that takes them to many corners of Barovia,
venture, which was published in 1983 byTSR, Inc. In the
years since, the original has gained a reputation as one culminating with a vampire hunt in Castle Ravenloft.
of the greatest DuNGEONS & DRAGONS adventures ever, and
it went on to inspire the creation of a campaign setting Madam Eva's people are called the Vistani. They
of the same name in 1990: Ravenloft, home of the Do­
mains of Dread. travel in covered wagons from world to world, luring

Module 16: Raven/oft, written by Tracy and Laura Hick­ strangers into Strahd's domain.
man, broke new ground by presenting a D&D adventure
that was as much story-driven as location-based, featuring Barovia is a land of ghosts, werewolves, and other fell
a villain who was complex and terrifying. Castle Raven­
loft, with its amazing three-dimensional maps, remains creatures. The wilderness hides many secrets, includ­
to this day one of the most iconic and memorable of all
D&D dungeons. ing forgotten ruins and battlefields that tell the story of

This book includes the original adventure, as well as ex­ Strahd's life as a conqueror. Adventurers who explore
panded material developed in consultation withTracy and
Laura Hickman. It expands what we know about the lands the wilderness find the remnants of Strahd's ancient en­
around Castle Ravenloft and sheds new light on the dark
past of the castle's lord. The lands of Barovia are from a emies, not all of them as dead as one might expect.
forgotten world in the D&D multiverse, and this adventure
gives glimpses into that world. In time, cursed Barovia was For the people of Barovia, there is no escape from this
torn from its home world by the Dark Powers and bound
in mist as one of the Domains of Dread in the Shadowfell. harsh. land. The town of Vallaki stands ready to defend

itself against the servants of Strahd, but it's far from the

sanctuary it purports to be. The village of Krezk lies

near the edge of Strahd's domain, its abbey now in the

clutches of evil, misguided creatures.

Of all the settlements in Strahd's domain, the village

�f Barovia is by far the most 'oppressed. M�ny of its

shops a:e dosed, an. d_the loqals)1a:ye silccumqe_d to .., .

despair.-��·is weU known. that_ Stral:ia desires the burgo�_

· m;:ister:s'�dopted ctaugliter,·Ireena Koly,ma. The villag-·_

: ers·;n�ither-prote�trior h;:itm her, lest t.h,�y incur the'vam�
pire's wrath. Few know that Ireeria bears aq .µncanny

resemblance to belove·d:

. . ·' .
..· Taty�na, Stiahd's dead·

. ..

JNTRODUCTION

The village of Barovia cowers in the shadow of Cas­ is assumed that the characters will gain levels over the
tle Ravenloft, Strahd's home and fortress. The castle course of the adventure, as well as acquire allies and
stands atop a great spire of rock, invincible and ever powerful magic items that can tip the scales in their
watchful. Every night, thousands of bats fly out of the favor. Characters who head directly to Castle Ravenloft
castle to feed. It is said that Strahd sometimes flies with without first increasing their power will likely die.
them. Barovia will never be safe until the evil in his cas­
tle is destroyed. You can award experience points for the defeat of foes,
use milestone awards, or a mixture of both. Given the
Once Strahd becomes aware of the adventurers, he fact that much of the adventure involves social interac­
and his spies watch them closely. When the time is right, tion and exploration, rather than combat, your work will
Strahd invites his "guests" to Castle Ravenloft. He aims probably be easier if you use milestone awards. Appro­
to turn them against one another, torment them, and priate milestone awards include the following:
kill them, as he has done with so many other visitors.
Some will become undead thralls. Others will never Finding Artifacts. The characters gain a level when
rise again. they obtain the Tome ofStrahd, the Sunsword, or the

The adventurers' best hope of defeating Strahd is to Holy Symbol ofRavenkind.
learn his secrets, for he is no ordinary vampire. Guided
by Madam Eva's card reading, they must scour his do­ Defeating Villains. The characters gain a level when
main and his castle for magic items that might weaken they defeat the featured antagonist(s) in a location,
or slay him, all the while trying to stay alive. such as the hags in Old Bonegrinder (chapter 6).

Although the adventurers can escape by slaying Accomplishing Story Goals. The characters gain a
Strahd, he can't be truly destroyed. Barovia is his level when they accomplish something significant,
prison, and not even death can free him from his curse. such lighting the beacon of Argynvostholt (chapter 7),
thwarting the druids' ritual atop Yester Hill (chapter
The adventure ends when either Strahd von Zarovich 14), or forging an alliance with Ezmerelda d'Avenir
or the characters are defeated. Your goal is to keep (appendix D).
Strahd in play for as long as possible, using all the abili­
ties and resources at his disposal. Appendix B, "Death House," uses milestone awards by
way of example.
ADVENTURE STRUCTURE
Be prepared for the fact that the adventure is exceed­
Much of the adventure's action is driven by the clash ingly open-ended-one of the hallmarks of the original
between the adventurers' decisions and Strahd's goals, Ravenloft. The card reading in chapter 1 and the adven­
and the adventurers and the vampire are all caught in turers' choices can lead them all over the map, and a
strands of fate that are represented by a special card party can easily wander into an area well beyond their
reading detailed in chapter 1, "Into the Mists." Before power. If you'd like to steer them toward places that
you run the adventure, you need to conduct that reading correspond to their level, consult the Areas by Level
to determine the location of several items that are key to table, but beware of undermining the sense that the
the story, as well as one of the locations where Strahd characters' choices matter. Sometimes the adventurers
can be found. will simply need to flee or hide when they are out of
their depth.
Chapter 1 also outlines Strahd's goals, and it suggests
adventure hooks to draw the player characters into the If an area of the adventure ends up feeling free of
cursed realm of Barovia. If the characters are 1st level, mystery or danger, consider using tips from the "Marks
the character background in appendix A is available to of Horror" section to increase the ominousness. If a
them, and consider starting their time in Barovia with combat encounter feels too easy, either (a) guide it to its
the mini-adventure "Death House" in appendix B. end as quickly as possible or (b) increase the threat by
raising a foe's hit point maximum to the upper end of its
Chapter 2, "The Lands of Barovia," provides an over­ hit point range, by adding monsters/traps, or both.
view of the realm and includes special rules for it and its
people, including the mysterious Vistani. Chapters 3-15 AREAS BY LEVEL
detail areas that correspond to places on the map of
Barovia in chapter 2. Avg. Level Area Chapter
1st-3rd 3
The epilogue offers ways for you to end the adventure. 4th Village of Barovia 5
Appendix C details the special item. s-:-magical or oth­ 4th 6
erwise-introduced in .the adventure� and appendix D 5th Town ofVallaki 8
provides stat blocks for Strahd.'.arnfvario�sNPCs and 5th 12
monsters that can be met in Baro�ia.'Appendix E shows 6th Old Bonegrinder 11
the tarokka cards that'the Vist'aoi use: for their fortune 6th 14
telling, and appendix'F contains'handouts:for you to 7th Village ofKrezk
show the players. 7th ... 7 .
8th Wizard of Wines Winery 15
CHARACTER LEVELS 8th 9
9th Van Richten's Tower 10
· The adventure is meant for characters of levels 1-10 9th 4
and includes threats for those levels and beyond. Strahd Vester Hill 13
can be an especially deadly challenge at these levels. It
Argynvostholt:

Werewolf Den ..
Tsole�ka Pass

The Ruins of Berez

Castle Ravenloft

The Amber Temple

6 TNTRODUOTION

MARKS OF HORROR sons to stand against the darkness. Here are a couple of
ways to add glimmers of light to a tragic tale:
A gust of air like the foul-smelling breath of some hor­
rible monster greets the adventurers as they climb the • In a land as dreary as Barovia, take the time to de­
steps of a tower in Castle Ravenloft. Nearing the top, scribe the occasional scene of beauty, such as a pretty
they begin to hear the beating of a heart in the darkness flower growing atop a grave.
above. Not a human heart, but the heart of something
monstrous and horrible; Such is the nature of gothic • Make sure that the heroes have contact with NPCs
horror: fear bred by anticipation and the dark realization who are honest, friendly, and helpful, such as the Mar­
that all will be truly and horribly revealed in time. tikovs in Vallaki or the Krezkovs in Krezk.

The following tips can help you make this adventure a PERSONIFICATION
chilling experience for you and your players.
Ascribing human characteristics to an inanimate thing
THE UNKNOWN is one way to turn something ordinary into something
malevolent. A groaning house, the wailing wind, grasp­
Horror is born out of fear of the unknown. Our fear is ing mud, and a squatting chest aren't just mundane
heightened when the darkness engulfs us and we can't things-they're characters in your story, made all the
see, or when the truth is behind a locked door, covered creepier thanks to their humanlike traits. Torches sput­
by a sheet, or buried in the soft earth. It's not the mon­ ter nervously, rusty hinges shatter silence with their
ster, but its shadow, that breeds horror. The more we sudden cries of anguish, and cobwebs quietly beckon us
know about a monster, the less we fear it, so the trick to our doom. Here are more examples:
is to keep it out of the light for as long as possible. Here
are two tricks to heighten fear of the unknown: Imagine darkness as a silent crowd that follows the
characters everywhere and stares at them while
• When it seems as though the characters have ev­ they sleep.
erything under control, you can have a gust of wind • Imagine trees as towering giants that stand idle yet
suddenly blow out their torches, plunging them ever watchful as characters face the perils of the Sva­
into darkness. lich Woods alone.
Before a monster appears, take a moment to describe
the odor that precedes it, the eerie sound it makes, or DETAILS
the weird shadow it casts.
In a horror story, there's no telling where danger might
FOR ESHADOWING be lurking. A leering gargoyle might be a monster in dis­
guise, or merely a fiendish sculpture. A mirror hanging
Foreshadowing is about finding clues to a horrible truth on a wall might have the power to transfix all who gaze
yet to be revealed. Consider the following examples: into it, or it might be nothing out of the ordinary. In a
horror story, taking the time to describe an object in de­
Before characters encounter a monster, hint at the tail draws attention to it, makes one suspicious of it, and
monster's presence with clues such as claw marks, might distract from the real danger. Here are a couple of
gnawed bones, and bloodstains. tricks you can use:
• Whenever characters take a long rest, give one char­
acter a prophetic dream in which he or she glimpses • In a given encounter area, choose one object or fea­
something yet to be found or encountered. ture to describe in some detail. It need not be import­
ant to the story.
AGE
• Allow the character who has the highest passive Wis­
Barovia is the grim reflection of its undead master. Al­ dom (Perception) score to see, hear, or smell some­
most everything here is old and timeworn. Everywhere thing that no one else can perceive.
the adventurers go, they should be reminded of death,
decay, and their own mortality. Here are a couple of HUMOR
ways to reinforce these pervasive themes:
There are no stranger bedfellows than horror and hu­
• Take time to describe the rotting timbers of buildings, mor. Tension can't be sustained indefinitely, so a dash
the faded and moth-eaten clothing of the Barovian of humor provides a respite, giving horror a chance to
peasantry, the worm-ridden pages of old books, and sneak up on us later and catch us off guard. While hu­
the rust on iron fences and gates. morous situations will occur naturally in the course of
running the adventure, here are some tips for creating
• A character gazing into a mirror, a pool, or other re­ humor when needed:
flective surface might glimpse an older, more decrepit
version of himself or herself. Allow NPCs (even evil ones) to tell jokes, speak in a

LIGHT funny-voice, or behave idio,tically. Even _morbid humor
is better than none. ..: . . .. .
A tale that is perpetually dark in tone becomes tiresome
very quickly. It needs 'to feature the occasional ray of When a hero, villain, or morister,'foll� a natural 1:on .::
light for contrast and to create a sense of hope. Monsters ,' aa:nhuatmta-�<';iko·�roslir,r.iaisbnilai:pty'.tchh:aetco*kc,c0u�r-�saa�si·'iaig: i..tehsruolwt.o, fdt�hsecrloibwe'
and other terrors must be offset with creatures that are
kind and lovable, giving-the characters ev_en_rnore rea- roll; such'a1, a char11cter �ccidentally kn9ckini. over a

lamp and setting-some drapes on fire·while trying'to
.. <
hide o'r move silently: , - ' . ..

CHAPTER 1: INTO THE MISTS

ERIE MISTS SURROUND BAROVIA AND fortresses of his ancestral homeland. Strahd named the
castle Ravenloft, after his mother, to demonstrate his
bind its inhabitants there. This chapter Jove for her. When it was complete, Strahd commanded
gives you the information you need to his mother and brother to come toBarovia and stay with
prepare for the adventurers' journey into him. Sergei eventually took up residence at Raveoloft,
those mists. The chapter first outlines but Ravenovia passed away while traveling to her name­
the history and goals of Count Strahd sake. In sorrowful disappointment, Strahd sealed his
von Zarovich so that you are prepared for mother's body in a crypt beneath the castle.
what awaits the characters. In the "Fortunes of Raven­
Joft" section, the chapter walks you through the tarokka Strahd's attention soon turned to Tatyana, a young
card reading that helps set the stage for the adventure's Barovian woman of fine lineage and remarkable beauty.
action, and the chapter closes with adventure hooks Strahd believed her to be a worthy bride, and he lav­
that you can use to draw the characters into the horror ished Tatyana with gifts and attention. Despite Strahd's
ofBarovia. efforts, she instead fell in love with the younger, warmer
Sergei. Strahd's pride prevented him from standing
STRAHD VON ZAROVICH in the way of the young couple's Jove until the day of
Sergei and Tatyana's wedding, when Strahd gazed into
Strahd von Zarovich, a vampire and wizard, has the sta­ a mirror and realized he had been a fool. Strahd mur­
tistics presented in appendix D. Although he can be en­ dered Sergei and drank his blood, sealing the evil pact
countered almost anywhere in his domain, the vampire between Strahd and the Dark Powers. He then chased
is always encountered in the place indicated by the card Sergei's bride-to-be through the gardens, determined to
reading later in this chapter, unless he has been forced make her accept and love him. Tatyana hurled herself
into his tomb in the catacombs of Castle Ravenloft. off a castle balcony to escape Strahd's pursuit, plunging
to her death. Treacherous castle guards, seizing the
THE VAMPIRE'S HISTORY opportunity to rid the world of Strahd forever, shot their
master with arrows.
In life, Strahd von Zarovich was a count, a prince, a
soldier, and a conqueror. After the death of bis father, But Strahd did not die. The Dark Powers honored
KingBarov, Strahd waged long, bloody wars against his the pact they had made. The sky went black as Strahd
family's enemies. He and his army cornered the last of turned on the guards, his eyes blazing red. He had be­
these enemies in a remote mountain valley before slay­ come a vampire.
ing them all. Strahd named the valleyBarovia, after his
deceased father, and was so struck by its scenic beauty After slaughtering the guards, Strahd saw the faces
that he decided to settle there. of his father and mother in the thunderclouds, looking
down upon him and judging him. He had destroyed the
Queen Ravenovia lamented the death ofBarov and family bloodline and doomed all ofBarovia. The castle
was fearful of Strahd. War had made him cold and ar­
rogant. She kept her younger son, Sergei, away from and the valley were spirited away, locked in a demiplane
the battlefield. Strahd envied the love and attention his surrounded on all sides by deadly fog. For Strahd and
mother visited upon his brother, so inBarovia he re­
mained. Peace made Strahd restless, and he began to •his people, there would be no escape.
feel like his best years were behind him. Unwilling to go
the way of his father, Strahd studied magic and forged a
pact with the Dark Powers of the Shadowfell in return
for the promise of immortality.

Strahd scoured his conquered lands for wizards and
artisans, brought them to the valley ofBarovia, and com­
manded them to raise a castle to rival the magnificent

I AM THE ANCIENT. I AM THE LAND.
My beginnings are lost in the dark­
ness of the past. I am not dead. Nor
am I alive. I am undead,Jorever.

-.Tome ofStrahd

Strahd has been the master of Ravenloft for centuries they exhibit great fortitude and defiance, his interest is
now. Since becoming a vampire, he has taken several piqued-even more so if the character displays uncom­
consorts-none as beloved as Tatyana, but each a per­ mon knowledge or beauty. Such a person might not be
son of beauty. All of them he turned into vampire spawn. worthy to succeed him, but the man or woman might
Although he feeds on the hapless souls of Barovia, they provide amusem*nt to Strahd as a new possession.
provide little nourishment and no comfort. From time
to time, strangers from faraway lands are brought to his ROLEPLAYING 8TRAHD
domain, to play the vampire's game of cat-and-mouse.
Strahd savors these moments, for though these strang­ Strahd believes his soul is lost to evil. He feels neither
ers offer him no lands to conquer, they aren't so easily pity nor remorse, neither love nor hate. He doesn't suffer
destroyed and therefore provide a welcome diversion. anguish or wallow in indignation. He believes, and has
always believed, that he is the master of his own fate.
Strahd believes that the key to his escaping Barovia
lies in finding someone worthy to rule in his stead, but When he was alive, Strahd could admit to letting his
his arrogance are so indomitable that no one is ever emotions get the better of him from time to time. Now,
good enough in his eyes. He believes in his cold heart as a vampire, he is more monster than man, with barely
that only a von Zarovich as great as he or his father a hint of emotion left. He is above the concerns of the
could sway the Dark Powers to release him. living. The only event that occasionally haunts him is
the death of Tatyana, but his view of the past is bereft of
STRAHn's GoALs romance or regret. In his mind, her death couldn't have
been prevented, and what is done cannot be undone.
Strahd has the following goals in the adventure.
In life, Strahd lived to conquer. In undeath, he con­
TURN !REENA KOLYANA quers still-not realms, but people, driving good souls to
Strahd's unrequited love for Tatyana drove him to slay become corrupt and destroying those who won't yield.
his brother, Sergei. Some time ago, Strahd glimpsed Characters who try to appeal to Strahd's humanity will
the young woman Ireena Kolyana in the village of Baro­ be gravely disappointed, because there is little humanity
via and felt extreme deja vu. Ireena looked exactly like left in him. If they ask Strahd why he's preying on Ireena
Tatyana! Strahd now believes that Ireena is the latest Kolyana, he tells them that Ireena's body is the host for
reincarnation of Tatyana, and thus he seeks to claim her. Tatyana's soul, and Tatyana's soul belongs to him.

Strahd's evil courtship has led him to visit Ireena Strahd can be seductive and subtle when he chooses
twice. On both occasions, he charmed his way into her to be, especially if a person is clever or attractive. Men
home-the house of her adopted father, the burgomas­ and women of beauty and cunning amuse Strahd for a
ter of the village of Barovia-and drank her blood. He time-playthings to possess or discard as he desires.
intends to kill Ireena during their next meeting and turn
her into his vampire spawn consort. If he senses a lack of cohesion in a party of adven­
turers, he preys on that weakness and tries to drive a
Chapter 3 gives details about Ireena and where to find wedge between the characters by promising to help
her in the village of Barovia. · one at the expense of another. If Strahd senses evil in
a person, he cultivates that tendency by offering to turn
FIND RUDOLPH VAN RIGHTEN that character into a full-fledged vampire after helping
Although he is usually focused on making Ireena Koly­ Strahd destroy the rest of the party. Ultimately, Strahd
ana his bride, Strahd has been distracted by reports doesn't honor his promise, instead turning the character
that a legendary vampire hunter named Rudolph van into a vampire spawn under his control.
Richten has come to Barovia. It takes more than one
old man with a death wish to frighten Strahd; neverthe­ WHEN STRAHD ATTACKS
less, the vampire has his spies searching Barovia for
van Richten. Strahd would like very much to meet the Strahd isn't a villain who remains out of sight until the
old vampire hunter, lock him in the dungeons of Castle final scene. Far from it-he travels as he desires to any
Ravenloft, and slowly break his spirit. place in his realm or his castle, and (from his perspec­
tive) the more often he encounters the characters, the
Chapter 5 describes the town ofVallaki, where van better. The.characters can and should meet him multi­
Richten currently resides incognito. ple times before the final encounter, which most likely
takes place in the location determined by the card read­
SEARCH FOR A SUC CESSOR O_R.GONSORJ · ing. His combat details are_;wailable,in appendix D.
Strahd can sense the a:rrival ofoew.bloodfo his·domain.
When Strahd wants to terrprize the characters, he
0 pays them a visit, either .µntler·the cloak. of night or be­
neath overcast skies duriqg the day. If they're indoors,
When newcomers enter Batq�i'ii; -�� �hfrts his attentio11 he tries to charm or goad a chanir;t�r into.in�iting him
from Ireena Kolyana arid:van Ri��ten·to his ne' w guests inside (along with his vampire spaWn; if they are pres­
so that he can determine wh�ther a�y of them. isworthy ent). Strahd and his minions never �uack Ireena.
to be his successor or consort. (Eventually,_- he·decides
that none of them can replace him as master of Barovia, These encounters are meant to test the characters, not
but he doesn't arrive at this coriclusion immediately.) kill them. After: a few rounds of toying with them, Strahd
. ·: Stra·hd pays close attention to adventurers who are and his creatures withdraw. If the characters retreat,
charismatic and arrogant, like himself. He focuses his Strahd is likely.to allow them to flee, savoring their fear
attacks on them, to see how much they can withstand. and �elieving he has broken them.
If they crumble easily, he loses interest in them. If

CHAPTER 1 I JNTO THE MISTS
IO

FORTUNES OF RAVENLOFT CARD READING

The events of this adventure are part of dark twists of When you perform a card reading before running the
fate that a fortuneteller can discern with the cards of a adventure, write down the results for reference later.
tarokka deck. Before you run this adventure, you must If the characters have their fortunes read in the adven­
draw cards from a deck to determine the following ele­ tures, do the card reading again, out loud for the players'
ments of the adventure: benefit. Substitute the new results for the old ones.

Strahd's location inside Castle Ravenloft When you're ready to begin the card reading, remove
, The placement of three important treasures that can the fourteen cards with the crown icon (the high deck)
and shuffle them. Then shuffle the remaining cards (the
be used against Strahd-the Tome ofStrahd, the Holy common deck), keeping the two decks separate. Draw
Symbol ofRavenkind, and the Sunsword the top three cards from the common deck and lay them
The identity of a powerful ally in the fight face down in the 1, 2, and 3 positions. Then draw the top
against Strahd two cards from the high deck and lay them face down in
the 4 and 5 positions, as shown below:
This card reading can make the adventure different
each time you play it. IlII l

At some point during the adventure, the characters
are likely to meet Madam Eva, the old Vistani seer (see
chapter 2, area G), who can perform the same card read­
ing for them. Characters can also have Ezmerelda d'Ave­
nir perform a card reading for them, provided she has
her deck of tarokka cards. Ezmerelda's cards are hidden
in her wagon (chapter 11, area Vl).

Appendix E shows all the cards of the tarokka deck
and summarizes their symbolic meanings.

USINC RECULAR PLAYINC CARDS Once all five cards are drawn and placed face down, fol­
low the instructions below for each card in order.
If you like, you can use a regular deck of playing cards in
place of the tarokka deck. To do so, separate the numbered I1. THE TOME OF STRAHD I
cards from the face cards and jokers, and treat them as
two separate decks: the common deck (the numbered Flip over card 1, and read:
cards) and the high deck (the face cards and jokers).
This card tells of history. Knowledge of the ancient will
Common Deck. Each suit in a regular deck of playing help you better understand your enemy.
cards corresponds to a suit in the tarokka deck. The
ace cards represent the "l" cards in the tarokka deck,
and the "10" cards represent the "master" cards in the
tarokka deck.

Hearts= Glyphs Diamonds= Coins This card determines the location of the Tome ofStrahd
Spades= Swords Clubs= Stars (described in appendix C). Read the boxed text for the
appropriate card, as given in the "Treasure Locations"
High Deck. Each jack, queen, king, and joker corre­ section that follows.
sponds to a card in the tarokka high deck.

Playing Card Tarokka Card I2. THE HOLY SYMBOL OF RAVENKIND I

King of hearts Ghost Flip over card 2, and read:
Queen of hearts Innocent
Jack of hearts Marionette This card tells of a powerful force for good and protec-
King of spades Darklord tion, a holy symbol of great hope.
Queen of spades Mists
Jack of spades Executioner This card determines the location of the Holy Symbol of
King of diamonds Broken One Ravenkind (described in appendix C). Read the boxed
Queen of diamonds Tempter text for the appropriate card, as given in the "Treasure
Jack of diamonds Beast Locations" section that follows.
King of clubs Donjon
Queen of clubs Raven 3. THE SUNSWORD
Jack of clubs Seer Flip.over card 3, and read:
Joker 1 Artifact
Joker 2 Horseman I This is a card of power and strength. It tells of a weapon
of vengeance: a sword of sunlight.
.rCHAPTER 1 I INTO THE MISTS •
TT

',\.!"/. �' '.Iff)--,,.,,_/ ..=...�.-.,.

This card determines the location of the Sunsword 4 OF SWORDS - MERCENARY
(described in appendix C). Read the boxed text for the
appropriate card, as given in the "Treasure Locations" The thing you seek lies with the dead, under mountains
section that follows. of gold coins.

I4.STRAHD's ENEMY I The treasure lies in a crypt in Castle Ravenloft (chapter
4, area K84, crypt 31).
Flip over card 4, and read:
5 OF SWORDS- MYRMIDON
This card sheds light on one who will help you greatly in
the battle against darkness. Look for a den of wolves in the hills overlooking a moun­
tain lake. The treasure belongs to Mother Night.
This card determines where the characters can find a
powerful ally. Read the boxed text for the appropriate The treasure lies in the shrine of Mother Night in the
card, as given in the "Strahd's Enemy" section later in werewolf den (chapter 15, area Z7).
the chapter.
6 OF SWORDS - BERSERKER
I5.STRAHD I
Find the Mad Dog's crypt. The treasure lies within, be­
Flip over card 5, and read: neath blackened bones.

Your enemy is a creature of darkness, whose powers are The treasure lies in the crypt of General Kroval "Mad
beyond mortality. This card will lead you to him! Dog" Grislek (chapter 4, area K84, crypt 38).

The revealed card determines where Strahd can always 7 OF SWORDS- HOODED ONE
be found. Read the boxed text for the appropriate card,
as given in the "Strahd's Location in Castle Ravenloft" I see a faceless god. He awaits you at the end of a long
section later in the chapter. and winding road, deep in the mountains.

TREASURE LOCATIONS IThe treasure is inside the head of the giant statue in the

The cards of the common deck determine the locations Amber Temple (chapter 13, area X5a).
of the Tome ofStrahd (card 1), the Holy Symbol of
Ravenkind (card 2), and the Sunsword (card 3).

SWORDS (SPADES)

1 OF SWORDS - AVENGER 18I sOeeFaStWhrOonReDfSit-for DICTATOR
The treasure lies in a dragon's house, in hands once a king.
clean and now corrupted.
The treasure lies in Castle Ravenloft's audience hall
The treasure is in the possession of V ladimir Horn­ (chapter 4, area K25).
gaard in Argynvostholt (chapter 7, area Q36).
9 OF SWORDS- TORTURER
2 OF SWORDS- PALADIN
I see a sleeping prince, a servant of light and the brother There is a town where all is not well. There you will find
of darkness. The treasure lies with him. a house of corruption, and within, a dark room full of
still ghosts.

. s:The treasure is hidden in:t!Je'atti� ofth�. burgorr.ta. ster's
The treasure lies, in Sergei'.s tomt(thaj:>ter.4,.area .K.85).·. mansion in Vallaki (�ha. pte,.,l' ar�a-N3s)".'.
, : : �.,' ..::1 t:-:.<·��'·�/s' =-, .�·· .·. ·-· .. '

3 OF SWORDS- SOLDIER MASTER OF SWORDS- WARRIOR
That which you seek lies in the womb of darkness, the
Go to the mountains. Climb the white tower guarded by devil's lair: the one place to which he must return.

golden knights.

. The treasure lies on the rooftop of the Tsolenka Pass · The treasure lies in Strahd's tomb (chapter 4, area K86).
guard tower (chapter 9, area T6).

12 CHAPTER 1 I INTO THE MISTS
,,�.f."' -�",\
.......\-I�"

STARS (CLUBS) 7 OF STARS - ILLUSIONIST

1 OF STARS - TRANSMUTER A man is not what he seems. He comes here in a carnival
Go to a place of dizzying heights, where the stone itself wagon. Therein lies what you seek.
is alive!
The treasure lies in Rictavio's carnival wagon (chapter
The treasure lies in Castle Ravenloft's north tower peak 5 , area NS).
(chapter 4, area K60).
8 OF STARS- NECROMANCER
2 OF STARS-DIVINER A woman hangs above a roaring fire. Find her, and you
Look to the one who sees all. The treasure is hidden in will find the treasure.
her camp.
The treasure lies in Castle Ravenloft's study (chapter 4,
The treasure lies in Madam Eva's encampment (chapter area K37).
2, area G). If she is the one performing the card reading,
she says , "I think the treasure is under my very nose!" 9 OF STARS - CONJURER

3 OF STARS-ENCHANTER I see a dead village, drowned by a river, ruled by one who
has brought great evil into the world.
I see a kneeling woman-a rose of great beauty
plucked too soon. The master of the marsh knows of The treasure is in Baba Lysaga's hut (chapter
whom I speak. 10 , area U3).

The treasure lies under Marina's monument in Berez MASTER OF STARS-WIZARD
(chapter 10, area US). "The master of the marsh" refers Look for a wizard's tower on a lake. Let the wizard's
to Burgomaster Lazio Ulrich (area U2), whose ghost can name and servant guide you to that which you seek.
point characters toward the monument .
The treasure lies on the top floor of Van Richten's Tower
4 OF STARS-ABJURER (chapter 11, area V 7).
COINS (DIAMONDS)
I see a fallen house guarded by a great stone dragon.
Look to the highest peak. 1 OF COINS-SWASHBUCKLER
I see the skeleton of a deadly warrior, lying on a bed of
The treasure lies in the beacon of Argynvostholt (chap­ stone flanked by gargoyles.
ter 7, area Q53). "Great stone dragon" refers to the
statue in area Ql.

5 OF STARS - ELEMENTALIST The treasure lies in the crypt of Endorovich (chapter 4, •·� ' . -:
area K84, crypt 7). ., ·,
The treasure is hidden in a small castle beneath a moun­
tain, guarded by amber giants. 2 OF COINS-PHILANTHROPIST
Look to a place where sickness and madness are bred.
The treasure is inside a model of Castle Ravenloft in the Where children once cried, the treasure lies still.
Amber Temple (chapter 13 , area X20).
·1The treasure is in the nursery of the Abbey of Saint Mar­
6 OF STARS-EVOKER
kovia (chapter 8, area S23).
Search for the crypt of a wizard ordinaire. His staff
is the key. 3 OF COINS-TRADER

The treasure i� hidden in.the crypt of Gralmore Nimble­ Look to the ��zard of wines! In wood and sand the trea-
nobs (chapter 4, area,K84! crypt 37). sure hides.

::,·-:.··

. ·:. The tr��sure )jesin_tbe'gl�s�ofovyfr'� \YOrki.ti'o. ifin the
··: ��za,r� ofWines:w1nery (chapter.12 , �rea WJO).

4 OF COINS-MERCHANT GLYPHS (HEARTS)

Seek a cask that once contained the finest wine, of which 1 OF GLYPHS-MONK
not a drop remains. The treasure you seek is hidden behind the sun, in the
house of a saint.
The treasure lies in Castle Ravenloft's wine cellar (chap­
ter 4, area K63).

5 OF COINS-GUILD MEMBER The treasure lies in the main hall of the Abbey of Saint
Markovia (chapter 8, area S13).
I see a dark room full of bottles. It is the tomb of a
guild member. 2 OF GLYPHS-MISSIONARY
I see a garden dusted with snow, watched over by a
The treasure lies in the crypt of Artank Swilovich (chap­ scarecrow with a sackcloth grin. Look not to the garden
ter 4, area K84, crypt 5). but to the guardian.

6 OF COINS - BEGGAR The treasure is hidden inside one of the scarecrows
in the garden of the Abbey of Saint Markovia (chapter
A wounded elf has what you seek. He will part with the 8, area S9).
treasure to see his dark dreams fulfilled.
3 OF GLYPHS - HEALER
The treasure is hidden in Kasimir's hovel (chapter 5,
area N9a). Look to the west. Find a pool blessed by the light of the
white sun.
7 OF COINS-THIEF
The treasure lies beneath the gazebo in the Shrine of I
What you seek lies at the crossroads of life and death, the White Sun (chapter 8, area S4).
among the buried dead.
4 OF GLYPHS-SHEPHERD
The treasure is buried in the graveyard at the River Ivlis
crossroads (chapter 2, area F). l
Find the mother-she who gave birth to evil.
8 OF COINS-TAX COLLECTOR
The treasure lies in the tomb of King Barov and Queen
The Vistani have what you seek. A missing child holds Ravenovia (chapter 4, area K88).
the key to the treasure's release.
5 OF GLYPHS-DRUID
The treasure is hidden in the Vistani treasure wagon
(chapter 5, area N9i). "A missing child" refers to Ara­ An evil tree grows atop a hill of graves where the ancient
belle (see chapter 2, area L). dead sleep. The ravens can help you find it. Look for the
treasure there.
9 OF COINS-MISER
The treasure lies at the base of the Gulthias free (chap­
Look for a fortress inside a fortress, in a place hidden ter 14, area Y4). Any wereraven encountered in the wil­
behind fire. derness can lead the characters to the lo.cation.

The treasure lies in Castle' R· ay·�nloft'·� frea· _s· u;y_·(chapter 6 OF GLYPHS-ANARCHIST
4, area K41).
MASTER OF COINS - ROGUE I see walls of bones, a chandelier of bones, and a table of
bones-all that remains of enemies long forgotten.
I I·. I see a nest of ravens. There you will find the prize.
The treasure lies in Castle Ra'.v·e· nloft's h;ill of bones
(chapter 4, area K67).

The treasure is hidden in the attic of the Blue Water Inn 7 OF GLYPHS-CHARLATAN I
(chapter 5, area N2q).
1 I see a lonely mill on a precipice. The treasure lies within.

The treasure lies in the attic of Old Bonegrinder (chap­ about the card reading. He sheds his disguise and intro­
ter 6, area 04). duces himself as Dr. Rudolph van Richten.

8 OF GLYPHS - BISHOP The characters might think that Gadof Blinsky, the
toymaker ofVallaki (area N7), is the figure they seek,
What you seek lies in a pile of treasure, beyond a set of because he has a pet monkey. If they speak to him about
amber doors. this possibility, Blinsky jokes that he and the monkey
are "old friends," but if the characters ask him to come
The treasure lies in the sealed treasury of the Amber with them to fight Strahd, he politely declines. If the
Temple (chapter 13, area X40). characters tell him about the tarokka reading, Blinsky
admits that he acquired the monkey from a half-elf car­
9 OF GLYPHS - TRAITOR nival ringmaster named Rictavio.

Look for a wealthy woman. A staunch ally of the devil, BEAST {JACK OF DIAMONDS)
she keeps the treasure under lock and key, with the
bones of an ancient enemy. A werewolfholds a secret hatred for your enemy. Use her
hatred to your advantage.
The treasure is hidden in the master bedroom of Wach­
terhaus (chapter 5, area N4o). This card refers to the werewolf Zuleika Toranescu (see
chapter 15, area 27). She will accompany the characters
MASTER OF GLYPHS - PRIEST if they promise to avenge her mate, Emil, by killing the
leader of her pack, Kiri! Stoyanovich.
You will find what you seek in the castle, amid the ruins
of a place of supplication. A. BROKEN ONE (KING OF DIAMONDS)

The treasure lies in Castle Ravenloft's chapel (chapter 4, Your greatest ally will be a wizard. His mind is broken,
area K15). but his spells are strong.

STRAHn's ENEMY This card refers to the Mad Mage of Mount Baratok (see
Drawn from the high deck, the fourth card in the card chapter 2, area M).
reading determines the location of an NPC who can
improve the characters' chances of defeating Strahd. B. BROKEN ONE (KING OF DIAMONDS)
(Some cards offer two possible results, A and B; in such
a case, you can pick the one you prefer or that better I see a man of faith whose sanity hangs by a thread. He
suits the circ*mstances of the adventure.) has lost someone close to him.

Strahd senses that this NPC is a danger to him and This card refers to Donavich, the priest in the village of
tries to eliminate the threat as quickly as possible. This Barovia (see chapter 3, area ES). He will not accompany
NPC, whoever it ends up being, gains the following the characters until his son, Doru, is dead and buried.
additional action:
Inspire. While within sight of Strahd, this character grants in­ DARKLORD (KING OF SPADES)
spiration to one player character he or she can see.
Ah, the worst of all truths: You must face the evil of this
Each of the NPCs described in this section has a role land alone!
to play in the adventure, even if that individual isn't in­
dicated in the card reading. For the one so designated, There is no NPC who can inspire the characters.
however, the information in.this section regarding the
NPC's behavior takes precedence over whatever is said A. DONJON (KING OF CLUBS)
elsewhere in these pages; that NPC is extraordinary.
Search for a troubled young man surrounded by wealth
ARTIFACT {JOKER 1) and madness. His home is his prison.

Look for an entertaining man with a monkey. This man is ..
more than he seems.
This card refers toVictorVallakovich (see chapter 5,
This card refers to Ric.iavio (see appendix D), who can
be found at the Blue Waterinri-inVallaki (chapter 5, area N3t). Realizing th�t the.'charac;ter. s are the key to_
area N2). Normally reluGtarit to·accompany the charac, '1is salvation, he enthusiasticafly.leaves home and ac-'
ters, Rictavio cbir�ges his fone if the characters tell him to
-�'compcfnies'them C. qstle� Ravenla'ft. . '
{ ,:
.' - . .' '.

CHAPTER I I lNTO THE MTSTS r5

8. DONJON (KING OF CLUBS) A. HORSEMAN {JOKER 2)
Find a girl driven to insanity, locked in the heart of her
dead father's house. Curing her madness is key to your I see a dead man of noble birth, guarded by his widow.
success. Return life to the dead man's corpse, and he will be your
staunch ally.

This card refers to Stella Wachter (see chapter 5, area This card refers to Nikolai Wachter the elder, who is
N4n). She grants the party no benefit unless her mad­ dead (see chapter 5, area N4o). If the characters cast a
ness is cured. With her wits restored, Stella is happy to raise dead spell or a resurrection spell on his preserved
join the party and leave her rotten family behind. corpse, Nikolai (LN male human noble) agrees to help
the characters once he feels well enough, despite his
SEER 0ACK OF CLUBS) wife's protests. Although his family has long supported
Strahd, Nikolai came to realize toward the end of his life
Look for a dusk elf living among the Vistani. He has suf­ that Strahd must be destroyed to save Barovia.
fered a great loss and is haunted by dark dreams. Help
him, and he will help you in return. If the characters don't have the means to raise Nikolai
from the dead, Rictavio (see appendix D) gives them
This card refers to Kasimir Velikov (see chapter 5, area a spell scroll of raise dead if he learns of their need.
N9a). The dusk elf accompanies the characters to Castle If they're staying at the Blue Water Inn, he leaves the
Ravenloft only after they lead him to the Amber Temple scroll in one of their rooms.
and help him find the means to resurrect his dead sister,
Patrina Velikovna. 8. HORSEMAN {JOKER 2)

A man of death named Arrigal will forsake his dark lord
to serve your cause. Beware! He has a rotten soul.

A. GHOST (KING OF HEARTS) This card refers to the Vistani assassin Arrigal (see
chapter 5, area N9c). If the characters mention this card
I see a fallen paladin of a fallen order of knights. He lin­ reading to him, he accepts his fate and accompanies
gers like a ghost in a dead dragon's lair. them. If the characters succeed in defeating Strahd,
Arrigal betrays and attacks them, believing that he is
This card refers to the revenant Sir Godfrey Gwilym destined to become Barovia's new lord.
(see chapter 7, area Q37). Although initially unwilling
to accompany the characters, he will do so if the char­ A. INNOCENT (QUEEN OF HEARTS)
acters convince him that the honor of the Order of the
Silver Dragon can be restored with his help. Doing I see a young man with a kind heart. A mother's boy! He
this requires a successful DC 15 Charisma (Persua­ is strong in body but weak of mind. Seek him out in the
sion) check. village of Barovia.

8. GHOST (KING OF HEARTS) This card refers to Parriwimple (see chapter 3, area
Stir the spirit of the clumsy knight whose crypt lies deep
within the castle. El). Although he's a simpleton, he won't travel to Castle

Ravenloft without good cause. Characters can manip­

This card refers to Sir Klutz the phantom warrior (see ulate him into going by preying on his good heart. For
chapter 4, area K84, crypt 33). If Sir Klutz is Strahd's
enemy, then the phantom warrior disappears not after instance, he might go there to help resc_ue missing Baro­
seven days, but only after he or Strahd is reduced to 0
hit points. vians, or to save the Life of.lreena Kolyana, who is very

beautiful. The characters must somehow deal with Bil­
drath, Parriwimp!e!s employer, who won't let ·tbe foolish

EXECUTIONER {JACK OF SPADES) Iboy go to the castle for any.,··reason'· .'. ._· .. �· �/- I
8. INNOCENT (QUEEN �F HE�RTS)
Seek out the brother of the devil's bride. They call him Evil's bride is the one you seek!
"the lesser," but he has a powerful soul. .,.. ·,:.•

��J� - ·.:..- · This card refers to Ismark Kolyanovich (see chapter 3, This card refers to Ireena Koly���:(see chapter 3-, area
· ·area E,2). Ismark won't accompany the characters to E4). Her brother, Ismark,·opposes the idea oflree-
na's being taken to Castle Rav¢nloft,-tiut she insists
Castle Ravenloft until he knows that his· sister, Ireena on·going there·once the characters tell her about the
. Koly_an· a, is safe. card reading. Ireena won't" accompany the ch�racters,

>.;,·however,· until Kolyartlndirovich's body is laid to rest in

. ··.,t. he·cemetery.

16 CHAPTER 1 I INTO THE MISTS

A. MARIONETTE (JACK OF HEARTS) B. TEMPTER (QUEEN OF DIAMONDS)
What horror is this? I see a man made by a man. Ageless I hear a wedding bell, or perhaps a death knell. It calls
and alone, it haunts the towers of the castle. thee to a mountainside abbey, wherein you will find a
woman who is more than the sum of her parts.
This card refers to Pidlwick II (see chapter 4, area K59,
as well as appendix D). This card refers to Vasilka the flesh golem (see chapter
8, area S13).
B. MARIONETTE (JACK OF HEARTS)
Look for a man of music, a man with two heads. He lives STRAHD 1S LOCATION IN THE CASTLE
in a place of great hunger and sorrow.
Drawn from the high deck, the fifth card in the card
This card refers to Clavin Belview (see chapter 8, area reading determines the location of the final showdown
Sl7), the two-headed mongrelfolk. Clavin serves the with Strahd-the place in Castle Ravenloft where the
Abbot out of fear and a perverse sense of loyalty. His job characters are sure to find him. The first time the char­
is to deliver food to the other mongrelfolk, whom he ab­ acters arrive at the foretold location, Strahd is there,
hors. If the Abbot still lives, Clavin doesn't want to earn provided he hasn't been forced back into his coffin.
his master's ire by attempting to leave, and he refuses to
accompany the characters. But if the Abbot dies, Clavin ARTIFACT (JOKER 1)
doesn't have any reason to remain in the abbey, so he's He lurks in the darkness where the morning light once
willing to come along if he is bribed with wine. Clavin shone-a sacred place.
provides no benefit to the party without his viol.
IStrahd faces the characters in the chapel (area K15). I
MISTS (QUEEN OF SPADES) BEAST (JACK OF DIAMONDS)
A Vistana wanders this land alone, searching for her The beast sits on his dark throne.
mentor. She does not stay in one place for long. Seek her
out at Saint Markovia's abbey, near the mists. Strahd faces the characters in the audience hall I

This card refers to Ezmerelda d'Avenir (see appendix D). I(area K25).
She can be found in the Abbey of Saint Markovia (see BROKEN ONE (KING OF DIAMONDS)
chapter 8, area S19), as well as several other locations
throughout Barovia. He haunts the tomb of the m�n he envied above all.

RAVEN (QUEEN OF CLUBS) Strahd faces the character_ s in Sergei's tomb (area K85).

Find the leader of the feathered ones who live among the DARKLORD (KING OF SPADES)
He lurks in the depths of darkness, in the one place to
vines. Though old, he has one more fight left in him. which he must return.

This card refers toDavian Martikov (see chapter 12, IStrahd faces the characters in his tomb (area K86). I
"The Wizard of Wines"). The old wereraven, realizing DONJON (KING OF CLUBS)
that he has a chance to end Strahd's tyranny, leaves his He lurks in a hall of bones'. in the dark pits of his castle.
:vineyard and winery in the capable hands of his sons,
Adrian and Elvir. But before.he travels to Castle Raven­
loft to face Strahd, Davian insists on reconciling with
his third son, Urwin Martikov (see chapter 5, area N2).

A. TEMPTER (QUEEN OF DIAMONDS) Strahd faces the characters-in the hall of bones
I see a child-a Vistana. You must hurry, for her fate (area K§7).
hangs in the balance. Find her at the lake!

This card refers to A�-abeHe (see chapter 2, area L). She SEER (JACK OF CLUBS)
He waits for you in a place of wisdom, warmth, and de­
gladly joins the party. :8-_ut.if she returns to her camp spair. Great secrets are there.

(chapter 5, ar' ea N9); herJa. �. '1er; L u vash, refu-ses to le.t

���.. ·�'•..\··. Stral}d f.a�es. the. c,._b.-�a:-.-nJi··cte_ rs.. the/..�i:t?u-,),d�y���(1a':_r.se���}\.K·: �.:3.;_7:·; r:�· ·

··:··. . in . ...-.,

. 17

I GHOST (KINC OF HEARTS) I TEMPTER (QUEEN OF DIAMONDS)
Look to the father's tomb.
I see a secret place-a vault of temptation hidden behind
Strahd faces the characters in the tomb of King Barov
and Queen Ravenovia (area K88). a woman of great beauty. The evil waits atop his tower of

EXECUTIONER (JACK OF SPADES} treasure.
I see a dark figure on a balcony, looking down upon this
tortured land with a twisted smile. Strahd confronts the characters in the treasury (area
K41). "A woman of great beauty" refers to the portrait of
Strahd faces the characters at the overlook (area K6). Tatyana hanging in the castle's study (area K37), which
contains a secret door that leads to the treasury.
HORSEMAN (JOKER 2)
He lurks in the one place to which he must return-a ADVENTURE HOOKS
place of death.
In the event that begins the adventure, the fates of
Strahd faces the characters in his tomb (area K86). Strahd and the adventurers are entwined as the charac­
ters are invited or forced into his domain. Different ways
INNOCENT (QUEEN OF HEARTS) to get the adventurers to Barovia are described in the
He dwells with the one whose blood sealed his doom, a sections that follow. Use whichever one you favor.
brother of light snuffed out too soon.
In "Plea for Help," a colorfully dressed stranger
Strahd faces the characters in Sergei's tomb (area K85). approaches the characters while they are staying at a
tavern. The stranger delivers a letter from his master,
MARIONETTE (JACK OF HEARTS) inviting them to the village of Barovia with an urgent re­
Look to great heights. Find the beating heart of the cas­ quest for their assistance. If the characters take the bait,
tle. He waits nearby. the fog engulfs them as they cross into Strahd's domain.

Strahd faces the characters in the north tower peak In "Mysterious Visitors," the characters are asked
(area K60). to scare off a band of rowdy travelers who are camped
outside the town of Daggerford, on the Sword Coast in
MISTS (QUEEN OF SPADES) the Forgotten Realms campaign setting. The travelers
The cards can't see where the evil lurks. The mists ob­ welcome the characters to their camp and invite them to
scure all! sit by their fire while their elder recounts a tragic tale of
a cursed yet noble prince. The characters, lulled into a
The card offers no clue about where the final showdown trance by the fire, awaken to find themselves on a foggy
road, delivered to Barovia by their Vistani hosts.
with Strahd will occur. It can happen anywhere you like
In "Werewolves in the Mist," the characters are drawn
in Castle Ravenloft. Alternatively, Madam Eva tells the together by a series of werewolf attacks. The hunt for
this pack of lycanthropes leads the characters into a for­
characters to return to her after.at least thre<r days, and est, where they are swept into the land of Barovia. This
hook assumes the use of the five factions featured in the
she will consult the. cards again'for, then;, but only to dis- Adventurers League.
RAVEN (QUEEN OF CLUBS)
cern the location �f .their· enemy.. ·-·,- · ' · ' ·' .- In "Creeping Fog," the characters are traveling a
I Look to the mother's tomb. ·- :-....__ lonely road through the woods when the fog engulfs
I_ · ·, them, spiriting them away to the land of Barovia.

;/.'-·· . l PLEA FOR HELP

. Strahd faces the characters in the tomb of King Barov The characters start their adventure in an old tavern,
and Queen Ravenovia (area K88). the details of which are for you to decide,

To a party of seasoned adventurers such as yourselves,

what you see is but another dull tavern in another dull

town in some nameless province. It is but another span

of time between the challenges of true adventuring.
0
Outside the tavern, a fog lies over the town this eve­

ning. The damp, cobbled pavement glistens as the lights

of street lanterns dance across the slick stones. The fog

chills the bones and shivers the soul of anyone outside.

Yet inside these tavern walls the food is hearty, and the

ale is warm and frothy. A fire blazes in the hearth, and the

tavern is alive with the tumbling voices of country folk.

18 CHAPTER I I INTO THE MISTS

Suddenly, the tavern door swings open, and a hush The characters can interrupt the messenger at any time.
falls over the room. Framed by the lamp-lit fog, a form His name is Arrigal (NE male human assassin), and he
strides through the doorway. His heavy, booted footfalls is a Vistani. The other tavern patrons regard his people
and the jingle of his coins shatter the silence. His brightly as friendly folk who travel about in covered wagons and
colored clothes are draped in loose folds about him, and usually keep to themselves.
his hat hangs askew, hiding his eyes in shadows. Without
hesitation, he walks up to your table and stands proudly Arrigal describes Barovia as a valley of great beauty
in a wide stance with folded arms. and his master as a remarkable man. If the characters
question Arrigal about the identity of his master, he
In an accented voice he says, "I have been sent to you claims to serve Burgomaster Kolyan Indirovich, but in
to deliver this message. If you be creatures of honor, truth he serves Strahd. After delivering the letter, Arri­
you will come to my master's aid at first light. It is not gal mounts his horse and rides off. He doesn't wait for
advisable to travel the Svalich Woods at night!" He pulls the characters to follow him.
from his tunic a sealed letter, addressed to all of you in
beautiful flowing script. He drops the letter on the table. The crest depicted on the letter's seal belongs to
"Take the west road from here some five hours march Strahd, though the characters have never seen it before.
down through the Svalich Woods. There you will find my Show the players Strahd's crest on page 239.
master in Barovia."
The letter, which seems to have been written by the
Amid the silent stares of the patronage, the gypsy burgomaster, was actually penned by Strahd. If the
strides to the bar and says to the wary barkeep, "Fill characters read the letter, show the players "Kolyan In­
the glasses, one and all. Their throats are obviously dirovich's Letter (Version 1)" in appendix F. The letter is
parched." He drops a purse heavy with gold on the bar. bait to lure the adventurers to Barovia. If the characters
With that, he leaves. take the bait, they arrive at area A (see chapter 2, "The
Lands of Barovia").
The babble of tavern voices resumes, although some­
what subdued. The letter is lying before you. The seal is MYSTERIOUS VISITORS
in the shape of a crest you don't recognize.
The details of this adventure hook assume that your
D&D campaign is based in or near Daggerford, a town
on the Sword Coast in the Forgotten Realms, but you
can change the location to suit your campaign.

CHAPTER l I INTO THE MISTS

__ ·r. , _ _j/- 19·:-;;;:

duch*ess Morwen of Daggerford is having guests for din­ Stanimir isjoined by his daughter, Damia (CN male
ner-and you are invited. No strangers to Daggerford, human spy), and his son, Ratka (CN male human ban­
you have come to the town's defense on more than one dit captain). Nine other Vistani (CN male and female
occasion, and you count Lady Morwen as a friend and a bandits) heed Ratka's commands. The six draft horses
benefactor. are used to pull the Vistani wagons, which contain their
belongings but nothing of value.
A cool autumn breeze blows through the streets as
you make your way to the keep. As you dine on hot, spicy THE DANCING FIRE
soup and tenderly cooked pheasant, you can tell that the
duch*ess seems more out of sorts than usual. Then a pall Stanimir introduces himself and welcomes the char­
comes over the occasion as she voices her concern about acters to his camp. If they deliver duch*ess Morwen's
a band of wayward travelers camped outside the town's warning, read:
walls. They seemed harmless at first, but Morwen has
received reports that they have begun harassing towns­ Stanimir laughs. "Don't worry. We have no wish to make
folk and other visitors as they come and go, demanding enemies of Lady Morwen. I have a story to tell all of you.
money and wine, and threatening to put hexes on anyone First you listen, then we go."
who doesn't pay up.
If the characters agree to hear Stanimir's story, he in­
Yesterday, the duch*ess ordered several guards to scare vites them to gather around the fire and hear his tale:
away the mysterious visitors, but they couldn't get the
job done. When the guards returned, they spoke sympa­ Stanimir fills his mouth with wine, then spits into the fire.
thetically about the visitors. It seemed as if the guards The flames turn from orange to green. As they dance and
had been magically charmed. sway, a dark shape appears in the bonfire's core.

Morwen doesn't want an armed conflict, but she aims "We come from an ancient land whose name is long
to send a stern message to the visitors and asks you to forgotten-a land of kings. Our enemies forced us from
deliver it on her behalf. "If they don't leave before dawn," our homes, and now we wander the lost roads."
she says, "I'll burn their wagons to the ground."
The dark shape in the fire takes the form of a man be­
The characters are asked to deliver duch*ess Morwen's ing knocked from his horse, a spear piercing his side.
message immediately after dinner.
Stanimir continues. "One night, a wounded soldier
The travelers are camped on the hill outside the gates staggered into our camp and collapsed. We nursed his
of Daggerford, near the road. Guards atop the walls terrible injury and quenched his thirst with wine. He
watch the camp closely at all hours. survived. When we asked him who he was, he wouldn't
say. All he wanted was to return home, but we were deep
When the characters approach the camp, read: in the land of his enemies. We took him as one of our
own and followed him back toward his homeland. His
As the evening grows dark, you see a dozen men and enemies hunted him. They said he was a prince, yet we
women gathered around a crackling bonfire. The folk are didn't give him up, even when their assassins fell upon
in good spirits. A few of them sing and dance around the us like wolves."
fire while others find happiness in their flasks and wine­
skins. Three barrel-topped wagons are parked at odd an­ Deep in the bonfire, you see the dark figure standing
gles. Tied to a nearby tree, grazing, are half a dozen draft with sword drawn, fighting off a host of shadowy shapes.
horses wearing bright coats with bangles and tassels.
"This man of royal blood fought to protect us, as we
The men and women are Vistan"i.They have no interest protected him. We bore him safely to his home, and he
thanked us. He said, 'I owe you my life. Stay as long as
in Daggerford. Their orders are to,deiiver.the characters you wish, leave when you choose, and know that you will
always be safe here."'
safely to Barovia. · :, .. /� ...·. . · · .. ,..
The leader of this group_is Stariiinir.'(8� male human), The figure in the dancing fire vanquishes its final foe,
then disperses in a cloud of smoke and embers.
an old man with the statistics bf.a mage who has the
Stanimir's face becol')1es a somber mask. "A curse has
following spells prep�' red: · befallen our noble prince, turning him into a tyrant. We
alone have the power to leave his domain. We've traveled
Cantrips (at will):friends, light, mage hand, prestidigitation far and wide to find heroes such as yourselves to end our
1st level (4 slots): charm person, mage armor, shield, sleep dread lord's curse and put his troubled soul to rest. Our
. 2nd level (3 slots): misty step, suggestion leader, Madam Eva, knows all. Will you return to Barovia
3rd level (3 slots): bestow curse, phantom steed, vampiric touch with us and speak with her?"
4th level (3 slots): greater invisibility, stoneskin
5th level (1 slot): dominate person

CHAPTER l I INTO THE MlSTS
20

These Vistani refuse to speak the name of their "dread weapons in silver. The party can have up to six weapons
lord" and provide no additional information. If the char­ silvered in this manner. Twenty pieces of ammunition
acters press them for details, the Vistani reply, "Madam count as one weapon for this purpose.
Eva has the answers you seek."
About the Harpers. The Harpers is a network of
If the characters agree to accompany the Vistani, spellcasters and spies who advocate equality and who
the Vistani lead them south along the Trade Way. After covertly oppose the abuse of power. The organization's
several days of uneventful travel, the mists of Ravenloft longevity is largely due to its decentralized, grassroots,
engulf the caravan, transporting the characters and the secretive nature, and the autonomy of its members. The
Vistani to Barovia. The Vistani then lead the party safely Harpers have small cells and lone operatives through­
to their leader, Madam Eva, at area G (see chapter 2). out the Forgotten Realms. They share information with
The characters arrive at area A and are taken through one another from time to time as needs warrant. The
areas B, E, and F on the way to Madam Eva's camp. If Harpers' ideology is noble, and its members pride them­
the characters rid themselves of their Vistani hosts be­ selves on their ingenuity and incorruptibility.
fore reaching Madam Eva's camp, they're on the own.
ORDER OF THE GAUNTLET
If the characters decline Stanimir's invitation, the
Vistani are disappointed but leave as promised. A day You met with the heads of the Order of the Gauntlet
or two later, use the "Creeping Fog" adventure hook or chapter house in Waterdeep. They've stationed mem­
some variation of it to draw the characters into Barovia. bers of the order at various inns and homesteads east of
Daggerford, so that locals need not fear the night. Now
WEREWOLVES IN THE MIST they're counting on you to find the werewolves' lair in the
Misty Forest. Only then can the order mount an orga­
This adventure hook assumes you're running a cam­ nized assault. As you prepare to depart, a knight of the
paign in or near Daggerford (see "Mysterious Visitors" order named Lanniver Strayl offers you his blessing.
for more information). It also assumes you're using the
five player factions featured in the Adventurers League. Lanniver Strayl (LG male human knight), a devout fol­
lower of Tyr recently arrived in Daggerford, gives a po­
"Werewolves in the mist!" You've heard these dreaded tion ofheroism to each member of the order in the party.
words spoken again and again by farmers, merchants,
and adventurers alike. The hamlets east of Daggerford About the Order ofthe Gauntlet. Founded by pala­
have fallen prey to a pack of werewolves that spills out of dins and clerics of Helm, Torm, and Tyr, the order is a
the Misty Forest on nights of the full moon, cloaked in dedicated group of like-minded individuals driven by re­
crawling mist that seems to follow them wherever they ligious zeal or a finely honed sense of justice and honor.
go. The beasts spread death and mayhem, slaughtering The order is ready to lash out the moment evil acts, and
adults and stealing children before retreating back into not a moment before. The order strikes hard and fast,
the woods. Others have tried to combat the werewolf without waiting for the blessings of temples or the per­
menace, with little success. mission of rulers. The order believes that evil must be
smashed, or it will swiftly overcome all.
The Misty Forest lies thirty miles east of Daggerford.
Before the characters embark on their quest, those who EMERALD ENCLAVE
have faction allegiances receive additional information
described in the sections that follow. Take the players You don't need to consult with others in the Emerald
aside, and read them the boxed text for their faction. Enclave to know that the werewolves are upsetting the
natural order. For balance to be restored, they must be
HARPERS eradicated. It seems the gods of nature agree, for they've
sent good weather and preserved the monsters' tracks.
A Harper named Zelraun Roaringhorn knows a metal­
smith who will silver your weapons for free. He also pro­ Members of the Emerald Enclave in the party gain inspi­
vides some helpful magic. ration whenever the party kills a werewolf.

"We strive to protect the powerless," he says. "If the About the Emerald Enclave. This widespread group
children kidnapped by the werewolves are still alive, I of wilderness survivalists-preserves the natural order
would see them safely returned." while rooting out unnatural threats. Druids, rangers,
and barbarians make up most of its membership.
Zelraun Roaringhorn (LN male human mage) has come
to Daggerford to meet with its ruler, duch*ess Morwen, Branches of the organization can be found wherever
and offer the Harpers' support. untamed wilderriess exists. ·Members of the Emerald
Enclave·know how to survive, and more important, they
Zelraun gives each Harper character a spell scroll want to help others do the same. They aren't opposed to
of remove curse. He has also made arrangements with civilization or progress, but they strive to prevent civili­
a metalsmith in Waterdeep to sheathe the _characters' zation and the wilderness from destroying one another.

CHAPTER 1 I INTO THE MISTS 2T

·,., //'� - l 7--,.,

. • I. '

LORDS' ALLIANCE the Way Inn (about sixty miles southeast of Daggerford,
along the Trade Way) when the werewolves attacked.
A Lords' Alliance operative from Waterdeep named Yarak was slain, and Davra wants revenge; she wants
the head of the werewolf pack leader. She is too tied up
Eravien Haund comes to Daggerford bearing news that with "business" to engage in a personal vendetta, but if
another member of the Black Network were to help, she
alliance agents have not only captured one of the were­ would owe that individual a special favor (see "Marks of
Prestige" in chapter 7 of the Dungeon Master's Guide).
wolves but also conducted a thorough interrogation be­
About the Zhentarim. The Zhentarim is an unscrupu­
fore putting the creature out of its misery. lous shadow network that seeks to expand its influence
throughout the Forgotten Realms. The public face of the
Eravien Haund (LN male half-elf noble) imparts the Black Network appears relatively benign. It offers the
following information to fellow Lords' Alliance members best and cheapest goods and services, both legal and
and tells them not to share it: illicit, hoping to undercut its competitors.

• The werewolf pack has almost a dozen members. The Members of the Zhentarim think of themselves as
leader of the pack is a man named Kiril. members of an extended family and rely on it for re­
sources and security. At the same time, members are
• The werewolves come from a distant land called Baro­ granted the autonomy to increase their own wealth and
via. The Lords' Alliance has no information about it. influence. As a whole, the Zhentarim promises "the best
for the best," although in truth the organization is more
• The werewolves worship a deity called Mother Night. interested in spreading its own propaganda and influ­
• The werewolves leave and return to Barovia through ence than investing in the improvement of its members.

some kind of ancient portal. (This is a deduction on WELCOME TO BAROVIA
Eravien's part, based on the werewolf prisoner's vague
description of how the pack gets to and from Barovia.) Strahd is using the werewolves to lure adventurers
to his domain. Characters can follow the werewolves'
Eravien believes that he can gain prestige within the tracks into the Misty Forest. After hours of fruitless
Lords' Alliance if he learns the whereabouts of the searching, the characters are engulfed by thick fog:
"ancient portal" that the werewolves are using and de­
stroys it. He is convinced that the portal represents a The woods darken as the trees begin to close ranks, their
danger not only to Daggerford but also to Waterdeep.
Any Lords' AJliance character who agrees to destroy needle-covered arms interlocking to blot out the sun. The
it is given a spell scroll of magic weapon. Eravien also
promises to furnish the character with a letter of recom­ shroud of mist that covers the ground turns into creeping
mendation (see "Marks of Prestige" in chapter 7 of the
Dungeon Master's Guide) once the portal is destroyed. walls of gray fog that silently envelop you until you can't

About the Lords'Alliance. The Lords' Alliance is a see more than a few feet in any direction. Soon, even the
coalition of political powers concerned with their mu­
tual security and prosperity. Heading the coalition are werewolf tracks disappear.
rulers in the North and along the Sword Coast.
No matter which direction they go, the characters come
Although alliance members have pledged to join to a lonely dirt road that cuts through the woods, leading
forces against common threats, every lord in it places to area A (see chapter 2). As an alternative, you can have
the fate and fortune of his or her settlement above all them enter Barovia near Krezk (see chapter 8).
others. Agents of the alliance are chosen primarily for
their loyalty, and are trained in observation, stealth, in­ CREEPING FOG
nuendo, and combat. Backed by the wealthy, they carry
well-made equipment (often disguised to appear com­ This scenario assumes that the characters are camping
mon). Alliance operatives are often glory hounds. in a forest when the fog engulfs them. They are quietly
borne to the edge of Barovia.
ZHE NTARIM

The Black Network sees the werewolf menace as an op­ The woods are quiet this night, and the air grows chill.
portunity to provide lords and nervous landowners with Your fire sputters as a low mist gathers around the edges
mercenaries to protect their holdings. But at least one of your camp, growing closer as the night wears on. By
of your fellow members has a grudge against the lycan­ morning, the fog hangs thick in the air, turning the trees
thropes. Davra Jassur, a member of the Zhentarim based around you into gray ghosts. Then you notice these aren't
in Waterdeep, arranges a private meeting with you. the same trees that surrounded you the night before.

DavraJassur (LE female human assassin) poses as a re­ No matter which direction they go, the characters come
·cruiter for the Black Network but is, in fact, a cutthroat ·. to a lonely dirt road that cuts through the woods, leading
who quietly disposes of competitors. Her husband·,
Yafak, was also a member of the Black Network. He to area A (see chapter 2). As an alternative, you can have
was escorting a caravan traveling from Daggerford to them. enter Bamv.ia near Krezk (see chapter 8).

CHAPTER 1 I INTO THE MISTS
22

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