Page 53 - Curse of Strahd_Neat

This unseen servant was created by Strahd and is per­ ty's allies for as long as they remain with the party, or
manent until destroyed (see the unseen servant spell in until Strahd appears. If the characters leave the castle,
the Player's Handbook). Roll a d6 to determine what the the thugs accompany them, since choosing to remain in
servant is carrying, or choose one of the options below. the castle would likely arouse the characters' suspicion.
Treasure. One Vistani thug carries a pouch that holds
d6 Items 2d8 small gemstones (50 gp each).
A tarnished silver platter with a lid (worth 25 gp). If
a character comes within S feet of the servant, it lifts WIGHTS
the lid, revealing a bunch of moldy scones. The first
character to eat a scone gains inspiration. On later l The air grows much colder, and you can hear the march I
occurrences of this encounter, the platter holds a of footsteps drawing near.
crawling claw that attacks the nearest character.
2 A silver goblet (worth SO gp) filled to the brim with
wine. A character who drinks the wine must make a If the characters are moving quietly and not carrying
DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 44 (8dl0) light sources, they can try to hide from the wights.
poison damage on a failed save, or half as much These undead soldiers once served as guard captains in
Castle Raven loft. They still wear bits of tattered livery,
damage on a successful one. On future occurrences of and they attack the living on sight.
this encounter, the wine acts as a potion of healing. Treasure. The wights carry longswords that have the
3 A gold candelabrum (worth 150 gp) with three crest of Barovia worked into their cross guards. Each
branches, each one holding an unlit candle. wight also carries a pouch holding 2d20 ep, each coin
4 A purple silk handkerchief with white ruffled edges of Barovian mintage and featuring the profiled visage of
(worth l gp). On future occurrences of this encounter, Strahd von Zarovich.
the handkerchief is smeared with fresh blood.
S A crystal dinner bell (worth 25 gp). The unseen WALLS OF RAVENLOFT
servant rings the bell if the characters come within Refer to map 2 of the castle for areas Kl through K6.
10 feet of it. The sound attracts ld4 hungry vampire
spawn (see below), which arrive in ld4 + l rounds. Kl. FRONT COURTYARD
6 A wizard's spell book with a black velvet dust jacket As the characters enter the castle, the weather worsens.
over its stitched leather cover. The book contains all Dismal rain starts to fall, becoming a torrent within
the spells Strahd has prepared (see appendix D). On the hour. Lightning routinely lights the sky, followed by
subsequent occurrences of this encounter, the tome is peals of thunder that make the castle shudder.
a nonmagical leather-bound storybook worth 25 gp.

VAMPIRE SPAWN Thick, cold fog swirls in this courtyard. Sporadic flashes
If any character has a passive Wisdom (Perception) of lightning lance the weeping clouds overhead as
score of 16 or higher, the party isn't surprised. In that thunder shakes the ground. Through the drizzle, you
case, read: see torch flames fluttering on each side of the keep's
open main doors. Warm light spills out of the entrance,
Creatures with pale flesh scuttle across the ceiling like flooding the courtyard. High above the entrance is a
spiders, their red eyes glowing in the dark. As they draw round window with shards of broken glass lodged in its
near, their cracked and bloodstained lips open wide, re­ iron frame.
vealing sharp fangs.
The walls that enclose the courtyard are 90 feet high.
These minions of Strahd-former adventurers all­ The dark towers of the castle rise even higher. Doors
creep along ceilings and drop down on unsuspecting in the gate towers on each side of the tunnel entrance
prey. The vampire spawn fight until destroyed. are shut against the rain, and a howling wind rushes
_
through the courtyard.
VISTANI THUGS • • .r;-· .• • The open main doors to the keep lead to -area K7. The
I You hear voices with thick accents • 0 I large, shattered window overlooking the main entrance
is 50 feet above the courtyard and leads to ;,irea K25. No
.
light can be seen through the great window.
GATE TOWERS
A small group ofVistani (NE male and female humans) Each outer gate tower has an ironbound door with a
claim that they were the vampire's captives, only re­ built-in lock.
cently escaped from the castle's dungeon, and they offer Characters who enter a gate tower find themselves
to help the party. In truth, they are loyal to Strahd and on a flag�tone floor with a hollow tower stretching high
betray the characters as soon as he appears. If the char­ above them, The mechanisms for raising and lowering
acters accept their offer, the thugs pretend to be the par-

CHAPTER 4 I CASTLE RAVENLOFT
...

·-. #�·