Page 52 - Curse of Strahd_Neat

If more than two flying swords are encountered, the oth­ If the characters ask Ra had in to lead the way, he de­
ers aren't far behind. These weapons drift about the cas­ clines. If the characters ask for directions, he tells them
tle and attack intruders within range of their blindsight. whether they need to ascend, descend, or remain on the
level they're at. If they attack him, he fights to the death.
GIANT SPIDER COCOON Otherwise, he doesn't leave until after they do.
I A white cocoon is suspended from the ceiling amid thick I If one or more characters have a passive Wisdom (Per­
A giant spider cocoon is encountered only if the char­
acters are moving about the castle (not resting); other­
SHADOW S
wise, reroll.
ception) score of 16 or higher, read:

webs and appears to hold something human-like. You can't shake the feeling that something is behind you.
When you look back, you see a shadow, tall and still, but
nothing of its dimensions that could cast it.
A giant spider made this cocoon. Characters who can
reach it can cut it open to free whatever is inside. Roll a
d6 to determine the cocoon's contents: If more than one shadow is present, the others are close
by but hidden in the darkness. These undead shadows
d6 Cocoon's Contents follow the characters but do not attack unless attacked
A wooden mannequin wearing a gown. first. They otherwise obey Strahd's commands.
A crack of thunder shakes the castle, stirring the dust I
2 A Barovian witch (see appendix D). She screams like a
wild animal and begins casting spells. STRAHD VON ZAROVICH
3 A Strahd zombie (see appendix D). It fights until killed. Strahd makes a surprise appearance.
4 A Barovian lunatic (CN male commoner). If freed, he
cackles until silenced or until a calm emotions spell I
is cast on him. A lesser restoration spell cures his and cobwebs. You hear a voice: "Good evening."
madness, at which point he tries to flee the castle.
5 A dead Barovian that serves as host to a swarm of
insects (spiders). The baby giant spiders (each one Any character who has a passive Wisdom (Perception)
the size of a tarantula) crawl out of the Barovian's score lower than 19 is surprised as Strahd appears
gaping mouth or burst forth from its distended belly. seemingly out of nowhere. The vampire prefers to attack
6 A Vistana bandit (CN male or female). The Vistana a surprised character, choosing the one closest to him.
Otherwise, see appendix D for the vampire's tactics.
knows the castle's layout and helps the characters
until Strahd or more Vistani appear, at which point the SWARMS OF BATS
treacherous Vistana turns on the characters.

You hear a peal of thunder, followed by the flapping of
RAHADIN
If Ra had in was killed or captured in a previous encoun­ tiny black wings. Suddenly, a dark cloud of bats descends
ter, this encounter doesn't occur. Otherwise, Strahd's upon you!
mysterious chamberlain approaches quietly. A character
whose passive Wisdom (Perception) score meets or ex­
ceeds Rahadin's Dexterity (Stealth) check hear him. These bats are the servants of Strahd. They attack the
characters without provocation.

I "The master wishes to see you," intones a grim voice in I TRINKET
the darkness. One random character finds a lost trinket. Read the fol­
lowing text to the player of that character:

Rahadin directs the characters to a random location in I I
the castle, determined by rolling a d6: You kick something-a trinket buried in the dust.

d6 Location
1 Chapel (area Kl 5) To determine what the character finds, roll on the Trin­
kets table in appendix A.
2 Audience hall (area K25)
3 Study (area K37) I A curious object drifts into view, as though held aloft by I
UNSEEN SERVANT
4 Tower roof (area K57)
5 Wine cellar (area K63)
_
6 Torture chamber (area K76) an invisible force.
_
Strahd isn't actually at that location unless the card
reading (see chapter 1) indicates that he is.

CHAPTER,� I CASTLE RAVENLOFT
51
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