He is devising a way to escape Barovia forever. Elisabeth Durst was the leader of a cult of the dark arts, dedicated to Strahd von Zarovich. The real problem is that he will never be able to grasp a living person, so the Abbot is trying to make an undead lover for Strahd.The fun thing is that the book already gives us a dead lover that could take the place of Tatyana in Strahd's heart: Petrina. ISBN. First post! He became known by the locals as the Mad Mage of Mount Baratok. But the Keepers of the Feather, a family of wereravens hiding in Vallaki, remains a prominent group that opposes Strahd. Curse of Strahd begins with an optional one-shot called Death House, a three-floor dungeon that lets players explore while advancing their characters from first to third level.DMs and players can decide whether or not to start with it, but either way, players will enter Barovia proper at level three. Curse of Strahd: Destined Allies - DriveThruRPG.com This is discussed in the Curse of Strahd book on page 24. A remake/reboot of the original Ravenloft adventure module, Curse of Strahd is an adventure module for the fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons. The Mad Mage. My question is: Does his appearance in . Prepared to run the Mad Mage ; The party had planned last session to find the Mad Mage of Mt. A riot at night, but lonely by day. Follow along as I look into Strahds Stat Block and what the numbers mean and how to make this villain play as terrifyingly as hes written. Fanya is the stoic confidant of Ms. Kalashnik and is training to fulfil her role someday. Curse of Strahd NPCs - Google Sheets King Dostron the Hellborn was the ruler of the valley long before Strahd conquest, and was the grandson of an illrigger of Avernus. Danika is the tough but kind-hearted owner of the Blue Water Inn in Vallaki. Natalie was the handmaiden of Saint Markovia during her rebellion, and is an ancestor of Baroness Lydia. He later joined their cause after being cured by an amulet to the Morninglord from the Order of the Silver Dragon, in order to avenge his son that was corrupted by Strahd. Davian is the widower patriarch of the Martikov family, and the owner of the Wizard of the Wines Winery. The | Login | My Library | Wishlists; Cart. Duchess Dorfniya was a friend of Sergei and Tatyana, and frequent visitor to Barovia. la persona che ami ti accompagner. [14], Mordenkainen was the leader of the Oerthian group of wizards known as the Circle of Eight, which included many spell inventors whose names were well known on Toril, such as Bigby, Drawmij, Nystul, Otiluke, Otto, Rary, and Tenser. Like Strahd himself, locals cannot leave which means that aside from the occasional foreigner, Barovia is largely a closed ecosystem. You can draw inspiration from films like Midsommar to emphasize the creepiness of suchcelebrations! If Strahd finds love he won't be tormented anymore by desire, and thus the curse will be broken. I like the idea of him being a murderous egocentric, but when you say his story out loud, with him murdering his brother because he couldn't get Tatyana to love himand then being obsessed with the girl that keeps rejecting him My players called him a simp since the first session, and I couldn't really blame them. (Maybe a lifetime in servitude keeping tabs on a vampires finances is a fate worse than undeath?). However, Strahd does have some redeeming beefy base stats with an 18 in STR, CHA, DEX, and CON a 15 in WIS and a big-brained 20 INT. Imagine a valley surrounded by mist, with the suns rays barely visible beyond layers of murky clouds. Chauntea the Earthmother is the goddess of agriculture, growth and care. Eventually, Ravenloft became the name for the greater setting of the Domains of Dread, a patchwork Shadowfell realm consisting of Barovia and other kingdoms pulled from various worlds. Come on! You can not kill Strahd in Curse of Strahd You cannot kill the Mad Mage in Dungeon of the Mad Mage You cannot kill the Frostmaiden in Rime of the Frostmaiden You cannot kill the Princes of the Apocalypse in Princes of the Apocalypse. Lizabeta was the youngest daughter of Anna and Dmitri Krezkov, and died from a hereditary disease. Some extra changes:These are not really crucial to the story, but they do improve Curse of Strahd a lot in my opinion.-Victor wasn't just mean to Stella so she got mad. Given I am prepping now to run Strahd for my Mox crew, this is a really clean look at the major NPCs and storyline for the advanture! Mordenkainen - Mistipedia - Fraternity of Shadows Ludmilla is the oldest current consort of Strahd, and considers herself the most indispensable, being a de-facto court mage. 1-10. Strahd is as much a prisoner of Barovia as he is its master. Mystra the Spellweaver is the goddess of magic. Lord Argynvost was the commanding founder of the Order of the Silver Dragon, and is widely considered to have been Strahd's greatest adversary during the latter's conquest. A few servants from Barovia willingly came to the pocket dimension with Strahd so he could live on their blood. - Doru Dragomir (former ally) Obsidian Portal has a lot of really cool features that use JavaScript. A mighty wizard came to this land over a year ago. Love means giving yourself to someone else intentionally, not because you're forced to. and a horrifying man/wolf hybrid - a werewolf - just as Mahel warned. Sir. Thanks for the insight though, I am having trouble finding the page where the encounter is even locatedcan anyone help me out. Dag is the husband of Stefania and father of four at the Wizard of the Wines. He is described as a mad mage who came to the valley to defeat its ruler but caught a case of amnesia in the process. Episode 6: Mad Mage Mordenkainen | Curse of Strahd | Medium When the queen died, Strahds envy turned to hatred, especially when the woman he desired, a native Barovian named Tatyana, fell for Sergei instead of him. Parriwimple is the oafish enforcer at Bildrath's Mercantile, and the secret to its success in the valley. Pidlwick was the jester of Duchess Dorfniya who told him to work at Ravenloft in her will. Ofelia Wormwiggle is the youngest daughter of Morgantha, and a butcher in Old Bonegrinder. 0. This adventure picks up where Waterdeep: Dragon Heist leaves off, taking characters of . Wheaku is the fiercely loyal owl familiar of Lael Milpialda. In this article, we'll introduce you to the most important things to know before you begin your adventures in this dark land. Now, I am not intimately aware of the lore surrounding D&D 5e, and I know that he is a prominent figure over all. Khazan was a powerful mage, and we already have all the lore in his chapter that is never given to the players. Emeric is the apprentice of Drasha, and wants to rise in the ranks to one day replace Izek as captain of the guard. Since the dawn of Dungeons and Dragons, dungeon masters have been searching for the answer to a simple question. He kept a close-trimmed beard and wore grey, high-collared robes. They worship deities like the Morninglord and drown their sorrows with wine from the Wizard of Wines winery. [Top 10] D&D Best Adventures We Love! | GAMERS DECIDE Chief Gallowbottom is the leader of Schnoken's former tribe in the Lunar Woods. Adventures - 5etools Curse of Strahd - Death House - Game Ready - Tales Tavern He managed to turn into a demilich, and can still be found in the amber temple. Ezekiel is a Prince of Agartha and a chosen of Lathander. Rosavalda Durst was the eldest child of the Durst Family, and died as a casualty of her mother's final ritual. Burgomistress Anna Krezkova is a mother who has endured the deaths of all of her children. Equating these creatures as part of the forces of Strahd and this elk as a potential ally (and not just a normal animal . Curse of Strahd (Tabletop Game) - TV Tropes . He thought he could rally the people of Barovia against the devil Strahd. Lorgoth the Decayer was the moniker given to the demon summoned by Elisabeth Durst using Walter's soul. Yep, thats pretty underwhelming at first glance, but Strahds strength doesnt lie in the numbers and dice rolls, it lies in his tactics. Bildrath Chekhov has retained the most successful general store in Barovia village through his shrewd and diligent ways. Lady Tereska was made a spawn of Strahd after being brought to the valley in search of a cure for her disease. I changed my Strahd up for some people who had already played this module. Arik is the soulless bartender of the Blood of the Vine tavern. Amazing article! Lottie is the co-owner of the Beast's Rose tailor shop, having come up with the name after hearing one of Yonvich's stories. He would return in every subsequent edition of D&D. Selne the Moonmatron is the goddess of prophecies, nomads and the moon. Until she reached Tenebrous, where she took the power, and became evil, with a goal of lichdom, she attacked the PC's, and eventually escaped to enact her wish of immortality.Upon Strahd's defeat, the PC's encountered her again, this time a as a demilich. Danika Dorakova: p. 98 . Mishka is the murderous miscreant of the Belview family, and likes to pull lethal pranks on anyone he can. Vistani matriarch Madam Eva also happens to be Strahds half-sister a mind-boggling fact that the vampire himself is unaware of and regularly asks her people to find otherworldly adventurers who might be able to set her half-brother free. Kristofor is a quarryman and labourer at Fidatov estate, often doubtlessly fetching components for Fidatova's projects. Victoria is the herbalist and non-clerical healer of Fidatov estate. I will endeavor to not disrespect Barovia's dowager queen in the future. Baratok is actually Mordenkainen who has gone mad. So, reading ahead in the Curse of Strahd manual, I see that the players can learn that the Mad Mage of Mt. Strahd's Stat Block: What The Numbers Mean - Twinfinite Khristina was the eldest daughter of Anna and Dmitri Krezkov, and died from a hereditary disease. Erasmus was the son of Dr. Van Richten turned vampire spawn of Baron Metus. Strahd is the ruler of Barovia on the material realm, and is well loved as an enlightened despot. Sasha is a reincarnation of Tatyana, and vampire spawn of Strahd. Strahd based purely on his stat block is problematic to say the least. And standing atop a balcony stemming from the tallest castle in the land is a vampire draped in a dark cloak, staring out at his realm and ruminating on his cyclical existence. Hans was an orphan from Vallaki that sacrificed himself at the Ring of Stone in order to save his best friend Kellen. Augustus is the older and calmer of the two guard dogs of the Baron. . He is the sun god's final of many attempts to free Barovia from Strahd. Strahd didnt make it this far because he has great spells or a really cool big sword, he made it here because he understood how to turn every fight in his favor (although fireball probably did help). He is also a drunk, and talented violinist. If his crypt is disturbed, he animates as a wraith and commands his three hell hounds to attack. Curse of Strahd- The Mad Mage. Forgotten Realms Wiki is a FANDOM Games Community. Margo is the younger Vaskroff sister, and believes that she 'took her sister's soul' when she was born. Gralmore was the taken child of forest folk, and the subject of Strahd's failed project to replace Khazan. Thunder shook the mountainside, and great rocks tumbled down upon the wizard, yet by his magic he survived. Amalthia is the junior maid at Wachterhaus and the discontented helper of Stella. [17], Mordenkainen later traveled to Barovia in an attempt to free the local population from its vampire darklord Strahd. If you just make these changes, everything in the books still works perfectly well. So he studied in the amber temple a way to save Barovia, Tricking the dark lords into thinking he was just after immortality. [6], In the Year of the Scarlet Witch, 1491 DR, Mordenkainen, still suffering from bouts of madness, was in Waterdeep, where Storm Silverhand and Elminster were helping him to recover from them. He is curious about what Amari knows, and was unaware of the reincarnation and soulless that exist . Put that eldritch imagination to the test, and remember to tease your players with this iconic line:The master of Ravenloft is having guests for dinner and you are invited!. How they received such powers has varied over the years, but Curse of Strahd states that the Vistani saved Strahds life and remain one of the few groups that he is indebted to and who are allowed to travel freely. Also, please, please, please don'tlet players interact too much with the Dark Powers. Madame Eva's tent swirls with smoke as she reveals the cards to the would-be adventurers. Dungeons & Dragons, D&D, their respective logos, and all Wizards titles and characters are property of Wizards of the Coast LLC in the U.S.A. and other countries. Luca is, perhaps unfairly, considered the village idiot of Krezk. Doru is the son of Father Donavich, and a former freedom fighter for the Mad Mage turned tortured spawn of Strahd. [4], Mordenkainen had a hawk-like face, with a permanent frown that gave the appearance of alertness and almost anger, and a penetrating gaze. Covering The Best In Video Games, Esports, Movies and Geek Culture Stefan was a counsellor to King Barov and was often involved in the Barov's preferred tactic of misleading information for the enemy about the state of the kingdom. [1], Mordenkainen is a well-known adventurer on his home world and a member of the Circle of Eight. If you're interested, I'll share a couple of details I reimagined when mastering this campaign for my friends. Curse of Strahd is an adventure book for the 5th edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. Strahd is probably one of the most iconic villains in the Dungeons and Dragons universe. Diavola is Lady Fidatova's beloved handmaid and the constant subject of her social experiments. The end doesn't have to be killing Strahd, it could be helping him with his mission. Admiral Sedrik became infamous in Barov's land for assembling a naval force in the landlocked country. Lady Stella was the fiance of Lord Victor, before a mysterious event occurred which has since made her believe that she is a cat. The module swiftly leads the party to a Vistani encampment, where the players can have their . Strahds subjects live in three major communities: Barovians are superstitious and distrustful, and Curse of Strahd states that only about one in 10 of them truly possess a soul. Recharged: Waterdeep Dungeon of the Mad Mage. Curse of Strahd Level Guide. She blindly supports his tyranny for the sake of her sanity. When he made his pact, the dark lords granted him an immortal name, making him an immortal undead, and the company of the ones he loved, by having them reincarnate each time in a person that won't love him." Curse of Strahd: Destined Allies - "There is one destined to stand with you against the shadow, but of their ultimate fate, not even I can tell," - Madam E "There is one destined to stand with you against the shadow, but of their ultimate fate, not even I can tell," - Madam E. Login; My Library; Baratok is actually Mordenkainen who has gone mad. **Spoiler warning for the Curse of Strahd adventure module for D&D 5e**. Khazan was Strahd's court mage both during and briefly after his conquest. Strahd even has an accountant named Lief Lipsiege whos been an intriguing fixture of Ravenloft since the original I6 module. Burgomaster Kolyan was the beloved burgomaster of Barovia village before his death during the siege of his mansion. Just so you know, Ireena's stat block for a lv 3 fighter as her . Claudiu is the eldest son of Stefania and grandchild of Davian Martikov, and an aspiring swordsman, practicing on scarecrows. Strahd was envious of the love his mother showered on his brother, Sergei. Lael Milpialda is an adventuring wizard and the youngest mage of the Milpialda Family. [Top 10] Best D&D Stories For The Greatest Adventures Vistani legend tells that he came to this land a year ago and rallied an army to face off against Strahd, eventually being driven into River Ivlis over the Tser Falls to his supposed death. [18], Following the demise of the Circle of Eight at the hands of Vecna during the lich's first failed attempt at obtaining greater deity status, a grieving Mordenkainen was consoled by Elminster, as the wizards reflected on the fragility of their good deeds. The Demogoron is the self-proclaimed Prince of Demons, and one of the most infamous demon lords. Use the mage stat block in the Monster 6th level (1 slot):find the path, harm, true seeing In Strahds case, his desire for a life with Ireena is something he can never realize. 16. tarokka reading | Curse of Strahd | Obsidian Portal Count Strahd von Zarovich is a vampire and the dark lord of the valley of Barovia. Elsa was a pioneering performer in Barovia before and shortly after the curse, whose death marked the end of the artistic golden age of the valley. Isabella is Lady Fidatova's gardener and warden of the outskirts of her maze. Endorovich the Terrible was a ruthless and successful general who prematurely retired after the death of Marya of Barovia. [16] On occasion, the two were also joined by Dalamar of Krynn. Adrian is the middle son of Davian Martikov, and the main protector of the Wizard of the Wines. Her thirst for power turned into love when she got closer to Strahd, and this is when the curse kicked in, making the dusk elves kill her before she could steal Strahd's heart. Gustav Durst was a wealthy rancher and secret cultist to Strahd von Zarovich briefly before and after the curse began. He is the only surviving adventurer that has been lured to Barovia. I did see the warning, but I sincerely hope my PCs don't see this article, and spoil the plot. [6], He later changed his hairstyle, favoring a bald head and a trimmed goatee, but lost none of his penetrating stare. This means your big bad villain across a year long campaign is only CR15. Milivoj is the gardener and gravedigger for St. Andral's Church, having grown up in its orphanage. A rare moment of rest as the party decide what to do next. They work really well when you don't know anything about their nature. Kelemvor the Deathmaiden, also known as the Raven Queen, is the goddess of death, judgement and time. [1], The Mad Mage's paranoia resides in mansions created through his trademark spell high upon Mount Baratok. After slaying them in a remote valley, Strahd was amazed by the regions beauty and dubbed the land Barovia. The following aspects of this iconic villain are worth memorizing: Strahd was a warlord who defeated the enemies of his deceased father, King Barov. So, reading ahead in the Curse of Strahd manual, I see that the players can learn that the Mad Mage of Mt. Party of 6 level 8's against Strahd and Rahadin, place your bets because it's happening today! She has the latter's gift of foresight. She now immortally rules the swamp of Berez. Side note, this isn't really discussing DM's Guild Content -- maybe it's a better topic for the Story & Lore section of the forum. It needed his brother blood to be eternalized, and filled his mind with greed and hatred in order for him to give up his humanity and seal the pact with blood. Drusilla is often referred to as "a wonderful conversationalist" in Rictavio's journal. Natasha the Dark is a demonologist and highly experienced archmage, and survived what she would consider her 'learning' battle with Strahd. Catch it here! You should check them out. 2023 Wizards. Indigo is a senior guard at Fidatov manor, nicknamed after her colour-blindness. He stirred them with thoughts of revolt and bore them to the castle en masse. Ascendant campaigns can view previous versions of their pages, see what has changed (and who did it), and even restore old versions. He thought he could rally the people of Barovia against the devil Strahd. Lord Nikolai Wachter is the deceased father of the Wachter children, and husband of Fiona; beloved by them. Also known as: The Mad Mage of Mount Baratok Morgantha is the matriarch of the trio living in Old Bonegrinder, and frequents Barovia village to sell her Dream Pastries. Obsidian Portal has a lot of really cool features that use JavaScript. Burgomaster Dmitri is the ruler of Krezk, whose family has kept the village isolated and safe for centuries. Since his original showing in 1983 in the original Ravenloft, Strahd has instilled joy and fear in many dungeon masters and players alike. I am going to updated it frequently and in the end I will do all Curse of Strahd original maps as well as homebrewed scenes (HB) we all learned to love by myself! Dostron the Hellborn. Mordenkainen | Forgotten Realms Wiki | Fandom He was discovered to still be alive, though living in the foothills of Mount Baratok, having driven himself insane with a mind blank spell to prevent any vampiric corruption. Prefect Ciril was the leader of King Barov's church and the spiritual counsellor of the Queen's Knights of the Raven. Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage More from this Title's Contributors Customers Who Bought this Title also Purchased . Dame Jarnvalda was a sticky-fingered assassin that worked for Strahd. When the character is resurrected they gain a form of indefinite madness from realizing that their spirit is trapped in Ravenloft, possibly forever. E cos mai potrai amarla. First of all, Strahd as a character can be improved. Knowledge of the ancient will help you better understand your enemy. Come on, everyone is gonna love the mad otter mage! Let us not forget The Knight of The Black Rose, Lord Soth and his conflict with Strahd. Although not featured in Ravenloft products prior to Curse of Strahd, he appears in that module after having lost his memories and gone mad. Mordenkainen's Magnificent Statblock - Dungeon Masters Guild Are there any deeper implications of his appearance here? curse of strahd mad mage stats +1 (760) 205-9936. Notable Relations: To date there are 10 main campaigns you can choose from for your next D&D adventure: Tyranny of Dragons, Princes of the Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss, Curse of Strahd, Storm King's Thunder, Tomb of Annihilation, Dragon Heist , Dungeon of the Mad Mage, Descent Into Avernus , and Rime of the Frostmaiden. The prophecy of Madam Eva referenced a wizard at the base of Mount Baratok. Tales from the Yawning Portal . Unfortunately, Strahd thoroughly beat him and threw him over the edge of Tser Falls. Ilya is the only currently living son of the Burgomaster, since having been revived by the Abbot. Guide to Curse of Strahd for New DMs - Roll20 Zygfrek is one of the more mindful of the Belview family, trusted to watch the Abbey entrance, but has a vicious streak of insecurity. Old D&D lore, as outlined in Ravenloft sourcebooks such as second editions Realm of Terror, have established Strahd as the first Darklord. They journeyed to the valley in search of a miracle cure for Tereska, which ended in Incentus having to carry Tereska to Ravenloft. Marzena is the most paranoid of the Belview family, and considered the most at-risk of escaping the Abbey. Ezmerelda d'Avenir was the protg of Dr. Van Richten, and has become a formidable huntress in her own right, using more aggressive methods. He has spies at his disposal, including werewolves and druids who worship him on Yester Hill, a prominent landmark in western Barovia. Each kingdom is ruled by a tyrant who committed sins in life and was awarded the title of Darklord by otherworldly forces known only as the Dark Powers. Aziana is a childhood friend of Zuleika, and a guard of the Werewolf Den. Shar the Nightsinger is the goddess of darkness, loss and the night. Myrtle is the daughter of the Kreivas, who loaned her in order to fund their dream addiction. Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #13 Majesto is the imp familiar of Lady Wachter, loaned to her by Strahd. Tatyana came down with a terrible plague. A very charismatic man, he was. Fantastic article. Keep in mind Strahd is also a 9th-level caster and wont hesitate to befuddle and confuse players with a well-placed fireball through a fog cloud or even magically control them with his charm action. On the day of Tatyana and Sergeis wedding, Strahd flew into a rage and murdered his brother. You should check them out. An overlooked miswriting on my part, perhaps caused by the ravens who have been chattering by my window sill all evening as if wishing to see what I am putting to paper. The Mage's Rebellion Curse of Strahd: Library of Mystery Astrophel Astrophel . Bram Stoker's Dracula and the anime adaptation of Castlevania are superb places to start. At the end of the day Strahd is a fan of theatrics and as a DM you should be too. He became known by the locals as the Mad Mage of Mount Baratok.". Oghma the Allknower is the goddes of knowledge, inspiration and invention. Strahdis married to Tatyana and loves her dearly. This is just one of the solutions for you to be successful. Ulysses of Eros was a paladin of Sune who went on a vision quest south to respond to Sasha Ivliskova's pursuit. Strong writing from Jeremy Blum with great organization and efficient summary; good example of enhanced supplementation from D&D Beyond. Vistani NPCs have access to curses and the Evil Eye (p. . The Mad Mage of Mount Baratok roams the lakeshore and electrocutes the fish, but hasn't been seen in awhile. Brom is the elder son of Danika and Urwin, and lives at the Blue Water Inn. The Mount Ghakis Roc is a solitary roc surviving near Tsolenka Pass. The Mad Mage's mind connection to Strahd. Strahd's curse: this campaign is called Curse of Strahd, yet we never hear the curse. Unpacking the Madness. It's like having a rewind button for your campaign. She is his loyal horse and wagon puller. Lady Fiona Wachter is the matriarch of the second most powerful family in Vallaki. Baron Vargas Vallakovich is the burgomaster of Vallaki, and credits his extreme ruling methods as keeping Strahd out of the territory. This could, and probably will, turn party members against each other or could potentially make them think one of them is a plant for the big man himself. Comprehending as without difficulty as bargain even more than supplementary Use the Archmage in your campaign now with stats! His wartime experiences caused him to grow cruel, however. The characters wanted to convince him to join their fight against Strahd. March 15, 2016. Ivan was a dogsled racer who won his fortunes by mastering and even chartering risky tracks, until he was allegedly sabotaged by a rival. Scylla is a mysterious and powerful sea serpent that sits atop its eponymous cliff on a coastal Kven island. Mad Mary is the reclusive, delusional and mentally unstable mother of Gertruda. Strahd has a special lair action that allows him to pass through walls and floors in Ravenloft as though they arent even there. This is also the reason her spirit still lingers around. Lord Nikolai is the eldest Wachter child, and a fervent alcoholic, constantly searching for mischievous distractions from his nobility. But when the devil Strahd fell upon him, the wizards magic couldnt save him. Sorvia is one of three owners of the Blood of the Vine tavern, and outcasts from the Tser Pool camp. Strahd no longer returns to the material realm, even for short visits, because of how bad Tatyana's condition is, so he can't get new willing volunteers. Luvash is the son of Madam Eva, and the de-facto leader of the Vistani in Barovia. Blinsky is the founder of Blinsky toys, and aims to improve the world with his strange creations, one smile at a time.
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