Curse of Strahd

the characters and the werewolf pack that has been knows the trick to bypassing the trap on the tower door.)
terrorizing settlements in the Forgotten Realms. The If the tower has also been destroyed, she doesn't stick
werewolves know that the tower has magical defenses, around unless the characters are clearly her best hope
so they are cautious. Kiri! tries to lure the characters of survival.
outside for a final showdown, but pulls his pack into the
woods if the characters start lobbing spells or making Ezmerelda's altercation with Strahd has left her with
ranged attacks from the tower. only 30 hit points. She graciously accepts any healing
the characters have to offer.
DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENT
A captured werewolf can be forced to divulge the where­
abouts of the children kidnapped by the pack. They are From this moment on, Strahd gains a new goal: kill
being held in a cave to the west (see chapter 15, "Were­ Ezmerelda d'Avenir. Knowing that his Vistani spies
wolf Den"). might be conflicted at the thought of slaying one of their
own, Strahd relies on the druids and the werewolves of
EZMERELDA'S RETREAT the Svalich Woods, as well as human spies and vampire
spawn hidden in Barovia's settlements, to help him find
Ezmerelda d'Avenir (see appendix D) returns to Van and kill Ezmerelda. If Strahd learns that she and the
Richten's Tower after confronting Strahd in Castle characters are working together, he invites the charac­
Ravenloft and barely escaping with her life. She arrives ters to Ravenloft, expecting that Ezmerelda will accom­
on the back of a riding horse stolen from the Vistani pany them. The characters receive their invitation in the
camp outside Vallaki (chapter 5, area N9). form of a letter delivered by one of Strahd's spies. If the
characters open and read the letter, show the players the
Ezmerelda hopes that the arsenal of weapons in her "Strahd's Invitation" handout in appendix F. If the char­
wagon will be enough to protect her from the vampire's acters head toward the castle, they have no threatening
wrath. If the characters blew up the wagon, she is un­ random encounters on the way.
derstandably annoyed and retreats to the tower. (She

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CHAPTER 12: THE WIZARD OF WINES

INE IS THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE BAROVIAN Adding to Davian's misery, the wereravens have been
fending off frequent attacks by Baba Lysaga's scarecrow
people. It is one of the only indulgences constructs. Three weeks ago, during one such attack,
left to them. Without it, many Barovians another gem was found, dug up, and taken. Davian be­
would lose their last shred of hope and lieves that it is in the possession of Baba Lysaga (see
succumb to utter despair. chapter 10, area U3).

Although the Vistani often bring wine Davian's belief is correct. The gem was a lucky find for
from distant lands, they share it infre­ Baba Lysaga, who had previously suspected that magic
quently. Thus, most of Barovia's wine comes from one was the root of the vineyard's health but knew nothing of
source: the Wizard of Wines winery and vineyard. its source. Even after this great discovery, Baba Lysaga
The Wizard of Wines was founded by a mage whose continues to send her scarecrows against the winery,
name is buried in the annals of history. The wizard fash­ antagonizing the wereravens like a bad neighbor.
ioned three magic gems, each one as big as a pinecone,
and planted them in the rich valley soil. These "seeds" Five days ago, evil druids stole the third and final gem
gave rise to healthy grapevines, which produced sweet, and bore it to Yester Hill (chapter 14). The wereravens
plump grapes. Even after Strahd's curse settled over launched a counterattack on Yester Hill, hoping to get it
Barovia, the gems kept the vines and their grapes from back, but to no avail. The druids and their blights proved
succumbing to the darkness. more than a match for the lycanthropes.
Strahd bequeathed the winery and vineyard to the
noble Krezkov family as a reward for the family's loyalty. Two days ago, the druids returned with a horde of
Later, an arranged marriage between the Krezkovs and blights and drove Davian's family from the winery.
the Martikov family led to the land being taken over by They've also poisoned the fermentation vats, leav­
a Martikov descendant. The winery and vineyard have ing the winery with only a few bottles and barrels of
been tended by the Martikovs ever since. At some point, drinkable wine.
the Martikov family became infected with widespread
lycanthropy. The current patriarch, Davian Martikov, is Even if the characters succeed in helping the Mar­
a wereraven, as are his children and grandchildren. tikovs reclaim the winery, wine production in the valley
The wereravens provide the wine to Barovian tav­ will eventually stop as the vineyard dies off. Only by
erns for free, knowing the good it brings to the Baro­ recovering the magic gems and replanting them in the
vian people. soil can the characters ensure that the Barovians aren't
The winery is known for three wines: the unremark­ without wine to comfort them on dark, wretched nights.
able Purple Grapemash No. 3, the slightly more tanta­
lizing Red Dragon Crush, and the rich Champagne du
le Stomp. Ten years ago, one of the vineyard's magic
gems was dug up and stolen, and as a result, the winery
stopped producing its best vintage, the champagne. No
one knows what happened to the gem. Davian Martikov
blames his middle son, Urwin (see chapter 5, area N2),
for the loss because Urwin was on watch the night the
gem was taken. Davian is convinced that Urwin shirked
his duty to spend time with his betrothed, and the two
men have been at odds ever since. To this day, Urwin
steadfastly denies his father's accusation.

WHY, IT IS NOTHING TO BECOME AN

animal, for that is the true nature of
every man. We are not meant to wear
crowns and drink from goblets.

..:...strahd von Zarovich