Strahd von Zarovich (Stat Block)

Mechanics

• No reflection in mirror (silver backing)
• Cannot come in unless invited
• Cannot cross running water
• steak to the heart

Backstory

Barovia lies within the Idyllic Valley inside the Balinok Mountains

• Timeline
• The History of Strahd von Zarovich
• Tatyana Attempt Tracker

Goals

• Strahd Goals

• [ ] Finally win over Ireena Kolyana

  • Ireena is a spitting image of Tatyana… he is obsessed and knows she is a reincarnation of her
  • Cause as much terror and chaos around Tatyanna to leave her with no other option for safety but himself
  • Kill anyone who gets close to her or provides her safety

• [ ] Find Rudolph van Richten

  • Rudolph is a legendary monster hunter (that nobody knows of) who entered strahds lair and is a strong contendor of Strahds interest for a successor (he is charasmatic and arrogant = GASTON)
    • one single person isnt as interesting as the adventuring party, but still a fun sport of a concern.
    • wants to capture and TEST him to see if he has what it takes to succeed him… or kill him

• [ ] Become Stronger to Expand Domain

  • The stronger he becomes the wider his domain gets
  • If he is trapped here… then he might as well rule over as much as he can. More to rule, more to conquer
  • Increasing this from the outside could alert others of his presence to attrack more of a challenge (bored in all these centuries)
  • increasing in strength could also be a way to break the curse as well himself
    • Possibility of the players helping in this
  • needs to find stronger groups of adventuers to push and challenge (He tests them)
    • if they are too weak = kills them
    • if they have potential = the pushes them and “trains them”

• [ ] Gather and Keep more souls in Barovia

  • Bring in as many people into Barovia as he can, then have them die eventually to keep their soul trapped here
    • Potentially have them stay and reproduce
      • Kill them if they dont buy into the culture and “settle in”
    • Occasionally Cull the population to keep the Soul-less numbers in check

• [ ] Search for a Successor or Consort

  • He can sense when “new blood” enters his domain… temporarily distracting him from his first 2 goals.
  • He evaluates if they are worthy… eventually landing on NO
  • Pays CLOSE attention to adventurers who are charismatic and arrogant (like himself). He focuses attacks on them, see what they can handle.
    • If they crumble, he loses interest
    • If they show fortitude… he is intrigued by them… especially if they are unique or beautiful
    • This person probably would not succeed him (or maybe they do) but they do serve as a new prized possession to obtain

Running Strahd