Page 67 - Curse of Strahd_Neat

a treasure worthy of one so talented as thee! May it help Roll a dl2 and consult the following table to deter­
thee set this troubled place to rest." If the characters mine the subject matter of a randomly chosen book.
think to ask him who he is, the fool replies, "Pidlwick."
If asked how he died, he replies humorlessly, "I fell d12 Book
down the stairs." If Pidlwick II (see area K59) is with the Alchemist's tome
party, the ghost points at the clockwork effigy and says, 2 Bestiary of strange beasts
"He pushed me down the stairs." 3 Biography of a forgotten king or queen
With nothing more to add, the ghost of Pidlwick fades 4 Book of exotic recipes
away and doesn't appear again. If the characters attack 5 Book of heraldry
the ghost, it attacks them in turn. 6 Book of military strategy
7 Epic novel
TREASURE
The lute, though old and covered in dust, has survived 8 Guide to fine wines
the passage of time. It is a magic instrument of the 9 Heretical text
bards called a Doss lute. 10 Historical text
11 Poetry anthology
K37. STUDY 12 Theological text

TELEPORT DESTINATION
A blazing hearth fire fills this room with rolling waves Characters who teleport to this location from area K78
of red and amber light. The walls are lined with ancient arrive in front of the painting of Tatyana.
books and tomes, their leather covers well oiled and
preserved through careful use. All is in order here. The FORTUNES OF RAVENLOFT
If your card reading reveals that a treasure is here, it is
stone floor is concealed beneath a thick, luxurious rug. resting on the mantelpiece under the portrait of Tatyana.
In the center of the room is a large, low table, waxed If your card reading indicates an encounter with
and polished to a mirrored finish. Even the poker in its Strahd in this area, he is sitting back in one of the over­
stand next to the blazing fireplace is polished. Large, stuffed chairs, staring into the fire.
overstuffed divans and couches are arranged about the K38. FALSE TREASURY
room. Two chairs of burgundy-colored wood with padded
leather seats and back cushions face the hearth. A huge
painting hangs over the mantelpiece in a heavy, gilded Resting on the floor of this smoke-filled room is a closed
frame. The rolling firelight illuminates the carefully ren­ chest surrounded by piles of gold, silver, and copper
dered portrait. It is an exact likeness of lreena Kolyana. coins. The fittings and clawed feet on the chest are evi­
dence of great workmanship.
This chamber has several exits, including a large set of Attached to the east wall are two torch sconces. The
double doors in the west wall, a door at each end of the southernmost one holds a torch with an intricate metal
north wall, and a door to the south. base. The other is empty. A skeleton in broken plate
The painting above the fireplace depicts Tatyana, armor lies against the wall. The skeleton's right hand is
a beautiful young woman with auburn hair. Strahd on its throat, and its left hand holds the matching torch
commissioned the painting over four centuries ago to
impress his beloved. The fact that Ireena Kolyana looks from the empty sconce.
exactly like Tatyana is proof to Strahd that both women
were born with the same soul. The coins scattered around the trapped chest total 50
The back wall of the fireplace contains a secret door, gp, 100 sp, and 2,000.cp.The chest weighs40 pounds
which is opened by lifting the poker from its stand. The and is unlocked. Wlien op�ned, .it releases a.cloud of
fire must be extinguished in order for. anyone to reach sleeping gas that fills the room;:Ariy crea��re in the
the secret door safely. Otherwis_e ,- a creaturi that enters room must succeed on' aDC-18 Constitution saving
the fireplace for the first time on a tm'!rc>r �ta�ts its, throw or be paralyzed for 4.lio14rs. If all 'the 'characters
turn there takes s (ldlO) A�e o.�r1�ge:and'�atches fire .. succumb to the gas, they.ari:COµnd·by the witches.who
.
Until someone takes an action lo . iio'4se the flames on lair ,in area K56 and dragg�d\6 .;i.rea KSO,. the!) ·left there
;
the creature, it takes � (ldlO) fi��·damage at the start. of unharmed. If even one cha� cter.resist;s.the �ffecfof the
�
�
each of its turns. (Ttii�· fire d �uig�·is.cumulative with gas, the witches do not appe�r; )f\ <>.(} , ·
the damage from standing in the:fireplace.). The armored skeleton On·the floi:i'r is all:thaf.remains
_The secret door provides access to area K38. of an adventure�. His corp�e has,ndthing cif vali.te.
.
. . . ....... :·
TREASURE SECRET DOORS ·.·;'.
The real treasure here is Strahd's collection of books­ This room i,s cpncealed behind two secret doors.
over one thousand unique tomes in all. The collection is The seeret door. to the west is set into the back wall
.
worth 80,000 gp. Transporting it would be a chailenge. ; o( the·fueplace'.(area K37) and can be pulled open from
... .., -�.;, . . -� . . -.... ·· . �,-,_,_ . ·_
.
CHAPTER 4 I CASTLE RAVENLOIT
y· .. ·�
66
- , __ ·_