RootsofEvilAnOfficialRavenloftGameAdventure ForCharacterLevels912 ByEricHaddockandDavidWise TableofContents Introductionpage2 JumpStartpage13 ContinuingtheAdventurepage14 MadameYvonnapage17 Vallakipage26 CastleRavenloftpage34 BacktoVallakipage51 AzalinsCryptLairpage58 BacktoCastleRavenloftpage89 MONSTROUSCOMPENDIUMTMEntry:Yugoloth,GreaterArcanalothpage97 Credits Design:EricHaddockandDavidWise Editing:DavidWiseandDoritheBarbarianWatry ProjectCoordination:DoriStilltheBarbarianWatry CoverArt:JeffEasley InteriorArt:StephenFabian Typography:AngelikaLokotz Production:PaulHanchette Cartography:DavidC.SutherlandIII Playtesters:S.B.,LoriKlamann,ScottKruschka,LisaNiss AD&D,ADVANCEDDUNGEONSANDDRAGONS,RAVENLOFT,andFORGOTTENREALMS areregisteredtrademarksownedbyTSR,Inc.MONSTROUSCOMPENDIUM,DUNGEON MASTER,DM,andtheTSRlogoaretrademarksownedbyTSR,Inc.AllTSRcharacters, characternames,andthedistinctivelikenessesthereofaretrademarksownedbyTSR,Inc. Copyright1993TSR,Inc.AllRightsReserved.PrintedintheU.S.A. RandomHouseanditsaffiliatecompanieshaveworldwidedistributionrightsinthebooktrade forEnglishlanguageproductsofTSR,Inc.Distributedtothetopandhobbytradebyregional distributors.DistributedtothebookandhobbytradeintheUnitedKingdombyTSRLtd.This materialisprotectedunderthecopyrightlawsoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica.Anyreproduction orunauthorizeduseofthematerialcontainedhereinisprohibitedwithouttheexpresswritten consentofTSR,Inc. TSR,Inc. POB756 LakeGeneva WI53147 U.S.A.

TSRLtd. 120ChurchEnd CherryHinton CambridgeCB13LB UnitedKingdom

IntroductionOnceagaintheMistsofRavenlofthaveparted,butthistimeitisnttodelivermore haplessvictimsorevilcreaturesintothedemiplaneofdread.No,quitetheopposite:Azalinthe lichhasshatteredtheboundariesthatheldhimprisonerforcenturiesandhasescapedintothe PrimeMaterialPlane!Hisactionshavebrokenthegripoftheland,andallthelordsofRavenloft arefindingthewaybackintothemultiversefromwhencetheycame.Evilcoursesthroughworld afterworld,andthegodsarevery,veryangry! Thisadventureisdesignedforfourtosixplayercharacters(PCs)of9thto12thlevel.Its assumedthatalladventuringpartiesinRavenloftarelargelyofgoodandneutralalignments;evil partiesrarelyfeelobligedtodotherightthing,andmostadventuresinthedemiplaneofdread dependuponatleastabitofheroisminthePCs.Magicalweaponsingeneralareimportantto thepartyssuccess,butfewplayercharactergroupsoftheappropriatelevelslackavirtualarsenal ofmagic.Also,theencountersinthismodulearedesignedtobelifethreatening,sotheoptional HoveringonDeathsDoorrule(seetheDUNGEONMASTERTMGuide[DMG])is recommended.DungeonMasters(DMs)whodontemploythisrulemightjustifyitssuddenuse byclaimingthattheverypowersoftheuniverseareatworkhere.Afterall,theGrand Conjunctiondoesntoccureveryday(oreverymillennium,forthatmatter!) TheFinalAdventure RootsofEvilisasequeltotheRAVENLOFTgameadventureFromtheShadows.An optionalentryissuppliedtoallowthismoduletobeplayedbyitself,butbothplayersandthe DMTMwillenjoyRootsofEvilallthemoreifitsusedasthesecondofatwopartadventure. Infact,RootsofEvilrepresentstheculminationofasixpartseriesofadventures,loosely connectedbytheprophecyknownasHyskosasHexad.Eachmoduledealswithoneofsix coupletswrittenbytheVistaniseerHyskosa.Accordingtotheprophet,whenallthecouplets havebeenfulfilled,theGrandConjunctionwilltakeplaceandallthelordsofRavenloftwill returntotheirPrimeMaterialpointsoforigin.ThefirstcoupletisrealizedinFeastofGoblyns (9298),thesecondinShipofHorror(9321),thethirdinTouchofDeath(9338),andthefourthin NightoftheWalkingDead(9352).ADMseekingtorunasustainedRAVENLOFTgamecampaign mightconsiderrunningeachofthesemodulesandthencontinuewithFromtheShadows(9375) and,finally,RootsofEvil(9413). Eveniftheadventuringpartydoesntplaythroughthefirstfourmodules,itisstill stronglyadvisedthatFromtheShadowsbeplayedbeforebeginningRootsofEvil.Thesetwo adventuresaremorecloselyrelatedthananyoftheothers,forthefirstsetstheGrand Conjunctioninmotionwhilethesecondgivestheplayercharactersachancetoreversethe horrificoccurrence.Forthemostpart,thismoduleassumesthatFromtheShadowshasbeen playedfirst,andsomeadjustmentswillneedtobemadebytheDMifithasnt. DoingYourHomework Asalways,theDMshouldreadthisentireadventurebeforerunningit.Itisalso recommendedthattheDMbefamiliarwiththeAzalinandStrahdentriesfromthe RAVENLOFTboxedset,aswellastheyugolothentryattheendofthisbook. Inthismodule,theplayercharacterswillfindthatthestorysupersedesthedungeon crawlaspectsoftheadventure(althoughthatelementispresent,too).Theyvestartedachainof eventsthatmustberesolvedinordertoavertliterally!universalcatastrophe.Itsnotenough

todefeatthebadguysincombat;thebadguysinthisadventurearetoopowerful.Thinking thingsthrough,usingthenonplayercharacters(NPCs)againstoneanother,waitingfortheright momenttoactthesearetherealkeystosurvival,andtheDMisfreetoexplainthistothe playersbeforethegamestarts. TheresalotofstoryinvolvedinresolvingtheproblemsthataroseinFromtheShadows andalotofinformationforthePCstoabsorb.Therefore,severalencountersinthismoduleare moreinformationthanactionbased.Duringtheseencounters,thegametakesonaquestions andanswersfeel.TheencountersaresetuptoanticipatethePCsquestionsandtopreserve dramaandatmosphere,butitfallsupontheDMtocapturethePCsimaginationsbymaking conversationssoundasnaturalaspossible.Bepreparedtodiscussanythingthecharactersbring up.Ofcourse,whattheycanlearnfromanNPCdependsuponthatNPCsownknowledge,so itsveryimportantfortheDMtoknowthismodulebeforeplayingit. Theresprobablynoneedtosayit,butplayersarenotoriousfor(andsometimeseven proudof)erraticbehaviorandstuntsthatshortcircuitthemostcarefullyplannedadventures.As longastheDMknowstheadventurefairlywell,itshouldbepossibletoredirecteventstogetthe partybackontrackwithoutforcingtheirhands.However,ifthePCsinsistonactionsthatburn theirownbridges,thentheGrandConjunctionwillfullyunfoldandthePCswillhavetoliveina helloftheirownmaking. ShadowplanarInfluences ThedemiplaneofRavenloftimposesmanyspecialconditionsuponspellsandabilitiesin theAD&Dgamerulessystem.AlthoughthisadventuredoesnttakeplaceintheShadow Plane,theGrandConjunctionhasopenedtheboundariesofRavenlofttothePrimeMaterial,so alltherulesdetailedintheRAVENLOFTandForbiddenLoreboxedsetsstillapplytothis module. ForbiddenLore Gypsyprognosticationcontributesmuchtotheallimportantatmosphereofa RAVENLOFTadventure.TheDMisalwaysfreetosimplyclaimthatMadameYvonnalooks intohercrystalballandseesallortotakeadeckofnormalplayingcardsandroleplayareading forthecharacterstherulesbookintheRAVENLOFTboxedsetprovidessomehandyguidelines forperformingsuchactivities. However,theForbiddenLoreboxedsetcontainssomeexcellenttoolsforenhancingthat effect.Inparticular,thetarokkadeckisaperfectaccessoryforthismodule,containingartwork thatisquiteappropriatetoamagicalatmosphere.TheWakingDream,oneofthefivebooks includedintheForbiddenLorebox,explainshowtolayoutthecardsandthespinthetellingso thattheDMwillreadtheproperfortune,makingthePCsfeelasthoughfateitselfhasdictated theiractions. TheDMmaymakeuseofNovaArcanum,abookofStrahdspersonalmagic,inthe ForbiddenLorebox.Therearealsothreeotherbooks(dealingwithpsionics,curses,andsecret societiesinRavenloft)thatmaynotbedirectlyusefulinRootsofEvil,buttheDMisfreetouseany elementthatenhancestheplayersexperience. StackingtheDeck Beforebeginningplay,theDMmaychoosetomakethefollowingpreparationswiththe tarokka(oranormal)deck:1)Stackthefivefollowingcardssothattheycanbedrawnfromthe topofthedeckinthefollowingorder:thenecromancer(ortheeightofhearts),thediviner(orthe

twoofhearts),thepaladin(orthetwoofclubs),theanarchist(orthesixofspades),andthetraitor (orthenineofspades).2)PlacethesecardsinastackfaceupbehindtheDMscreenwherethe playerscantseethemthesewillbesurreptitiouslyaddedtothetopofthedeck,sotheplayers shouldntknowtheyarethere(seetheMadameYvonnaencountersection,p.23).The followingcardsshouldbesetasidebeforeplaysotheycanbeimmediatelylaidoutfortheplayers toseeintheMadameYvonnaencountersection:themarionette(orjackofclubs),thedonjon (oraceofhearts),thedarklord(orkingofhearts),thebeast(orkingofdiamonds),theartifact(or aceofdiamonds),themists(oraceofclubs),theraven(orkingofclubs),thehangman(oraceof spades),andtheinnocent(orkingofspades. TheHolySymbolofRavenkind Thisancientplatinummedallionisshapedlikethesunandhasacrystalatitscenter.In thehandsofagoodalignedpriest,itaddsa+2bonustoturningundeadattempts.When presentedagainstavampire,itflareswiththelightofthesunfor1d10roundsthisfunctions onlyonceperweek;anidentifyspellrevealsthisfact. StrahdvonZarovichismoreterrifiedoftheHolySymbolthanisanyothercreature.He cannotapproachwithin10feetofit,regardlessoftheturningPCpriestsdieroll. TheIconofRavenloft Thislawfulgoodholyartifactaddsa+4bonustoanygoodalignedpriestsattemptto turnundead,ifheorsheholdsitalongwithaholysymbol.(Thiseffectiscumulativewiththe bonusaffordedbytheHolySymbolofRavenkind.)ThecastingofanidentifyspellupontheIcon revealsthatitheals3d6+3pointsofdamage,onceperday. IfthePCshaveplayedFromtheShadows,thentheymayormaynothavetakentheIcon fromthealtarinthechapelofCastleRavenloftwhentheytooktheHolySymbol.Atnopointwere theyaskedtodoso,butmanyquickthinkinggroupswillhaveseizedtheopportunitywhenit arose.IfthePCsdidso,thenthewomanwhoreceivedtheitemskeptthemsafeforAzalin, awaitingthedaywhenhewouldarriveinPrimeMaterialBarovia(therealmsofRavenloftare shadowyreplicationsofactualplaces).IfthePCsneverbotheredwiththeIcon,thenit disappearedintoRavenloftwhenthedemiplanewascreated.Inthatcase,theIconwillhave miraculouslyreappearedonthealtarofPrimeMaterialCastleRavenloftwhentheGrand Conjunctiontakesplace. ThepositionoftheIconaffectsthescopeofthePCsobjectivesinRootsofEvil.IfAzalin hasbothrelics,thenthecharactersneedtoretrievethemboth.Thisisaccountedforinthetextas muchaspossible,buttheDMwillstillhavetomakeadjustmentstotheboxedcopyhereand theretobesurethatthecontinuityoftheadventuredoesntbreakdown. AzalinsPhylactery Inthisadventure,Azalinsphylacteryhasaspecialfeature:Whenevertheeyesofthe skullpointdirectlyinthelichsdirection,theyflashverysubtlyandthenglowaslongastheskull remainspointedatthelich.Distanceisntabarrier,althoughthephylacterycannottrackAzalin acrossplanarboundaries.Thismakesthephylacteryaperfecthomingdeviceforcharacterswho knowthesecret. TheBookofKeeping

Thistomeisdescribedinthegeneralyugolothentry,intheOuterPlanesappendixof theMONSTROUSCOMPENDIUMTM.Briefly,theBookisusedtospecificallysummonyugoloths, akindoflowerplanarlawyer.SomeBooksofKeepingsummonaparticularyugolothbyname. Inthecaseofthismodule,theBookbelongstothemajorNPCInajira.Hekeepsallhisnegotiated contractsintheBook,soitcontainsalltheproofofhissuccessandfailureasanegotiator,whichis paramounttoayugolothssocialstandingandselfworth.Anyonewhowouldattempttotakeor keepitfromhimhadbetterhavegodlikepowers! Withintheconfinesofthisgamemodule,afewsignificantattributesareascribedto InajirasBookofKeeping;Itisclassifiedasanartifactratherthanamagicalitem,soitcannotbe destroyedthroughanyconventionalmeans.Morenotably,sincesoimportantatomemustbe giventootherstobesigned,theBookisenchantedsuchthatitcanbetransportedacross nonphysicalspacesonlybyitsowned;anyoneelsecanpickupthebookandcarryit,butitcannot beteleported,dimensionallyshifted,putthroughplanarportals,ormovedthroughanyother magicalorpsionicmeans. NPCSummary ThisisashortlistofthemajorNPCsusedinthisadventureandtheirstatsandspells. TheDMwillfindroleplayinghintswithinthetext,buttheNPCsummaryisincludedherefor quickreference,especiallyincombat. Anebroun 18thlevelwizard Intexceptional(16);AC3(bracers);MV12;hp46;THAC016;#AT1;Dmg1d4(dagger);SAspells; SDnone;SZM;ML14;MRnil;ALN;XP7,500. Spells(5/5/5/5/5/3/3/2/1):Burninghands,charmperson,detectmagic,magicmissile(x2);blur, invisibility,levitate,patternweave,web;blink,dispelmagic,Evardsblacktentacles,polymorphother, thunderstaff,walloffire;coneofcold,holdmonster,mindfog,teleport,wallofforce;antimagicshell, clawsoftheumberhulk,globeofinvulnerability;acidstorm,powerwordstun,reversegravity;Bigbys clenchedfist,trapthesoul;monstersummoningVII. Anebrounwearsaringofhumaninfluenceandahelmofcomprehendinglanguagesand readingmagic(thecirclet),andshecarriesawandofparalyzationuphersleeve.Sheleansupona beautifullycraftedstaffthathasnoinherentmagicalabilities,butsheoftenimbuesitwiththe magicstaffspell. Anebrounhasonlyrecentlyreachedthe18thlevelofexperience.Shehasusedmagicto increaseherlongevity,butoldageiscatchingupwithher,drivinghertoseeklichdom. Azalin Lich,18thor14thlevelwizard(seebelow) Intgenius(18);AC0;MV12;HD11;hp54;THAC010;#AT1;Dmg1d10(+1Strengthbonus);SA paralyzingtouch,spells;SDimmunetocharm,enfeeblement,fear,hold,insanity,polymorph,sleep, mindaffecting,anddeathspells,immunetocoldbasedandelectricaldamage,regenerates1 hp/round;SZM;ML19;MR25%;ALLE;XP9,000. Spells(5/5/5/5/5/3/3/2/1):Charmperson,enlarge,magicmissile(x2),phantasmalforce;darkness15 radius,invisibility,rayofenfeeblement,scare,Tashasuncontrollablehideouslaughter;dispelmagic, fireball,holdperson,lightningbolt,suggestion;dimensiondoor,icestorm,minorglobeofinvulnerability, phantasmalkiller,stoneskin;chaos,domination,passwall,telekinesis,wallofstone;eyebite,fleshtostone,

trueseeing;forcecage,powerwordstun,teleportwithouterror;incendiarycloud,prismaticwall;energy drain. IfthePCskilledAzalinsfamiliar,Skeever,inFromtheShadows,thentreatAzalinasa 14thlevelwizardandsubtracttheappropriatenumberofspells(14thlevel5/5/5/5/5/3/3/2). Azalinkeepsastoneskinspellactiveatalltimes.Ifattackedfrombehind,acontingent fleshtostonespellhitstheattacker.Azalincananimatedead(8HDorlower)ina2mileradius simplybywillingsuchtooccur.Thesemonstersmaketheirwaytohimbyanysuchmeans possible,andtheyrespondtohisordersasifhehadcastcontrolundead. Inajira Arcanalothyugoloth Intsupragenius(19);AC8;MV12,Fl18(A);HD12+24;hp111;THAC09;#AT3;Dmg 1d4/1d4/2d6;SAclawsting;SD+3orbetterweapontohit,spellimmunity;SZM;ML16;MR 60%;ALNE;XP49,500. Spells(4/4/4/4/4/1):Chilltouch,hypnotism,protectionfromgood,shockinggrasp;ESP,levitate, mirrorimage,Tashasuncontrollablehideouslaughter;dispelmagic,gustofwind,lightningbolt,slow; enervation,improvedinvisibility,shout,walloffire;animatedead,dismissal,passwall,transmuterockto mud;globeofinvulnerability. QueenKristianavonZarovich 15thlevelhighpriestessofBarovia Inthigh(14);AC7(wearingnoarmor);MV12;hp63;THAC012;#AT1;Dmgperweapon;SA spells;SDnone;SZM;ML16;MRnil;ALLG;XP5,000. Spells(6/6/6/6/4/2/1):Bless,combine,command,curelightwounds,light,protectionfromevil;aid, augury,drawuponholymight,idea,nap,slowpoison;acceleratehealing,curedisease,dispelmagic,know customs,telepathy,unearthlychoir;abjure,cureseriouswounds(x3),neutralizepoison,tongues; atonement,quest,raisedead(x2);heal(x2);resurrection. StrahdvonZarovich Vampire,16thlevelnecromancer Intgenius(17);AC1(withcloak);MV12,Fl18(C);HD11+1;hp55;THAC011(8withweapon); #AT1;Dmg1d6+4orbyweapon(+6Strengthbonus);SAenergydrain,charmgaze,spells;SD+2 orgreaterweaponneededtohit;SZM;ML17;MR15%;ALLE;XP8,000. Spells(5/5/5/5/5/3/2/1,plusonebonusnecromanticspellperlevel):Burninghands,cantrip, magicmissile(x3),protectionfromgood;darkness15radius,ESP,fogcloud,invisibility,spectralhand, stinkingcloud;dispelmagic,feigndeath,fireball(x2),holdperson,lightningbolt;dimensiondoor, enervation,icestorm,polymorphother,solidfog,wallofice;avoidance,magicjar,passwall,summon shadow,stoneshape,teleport;antimagicshell,deathspell,fleshtostone,invisiblestalker;fingerofdeath, powerwordstun,spellturning;clone,maze. TheDMisfreetosubstituteanyspellfromtheNovaArcanumbookintheForbidden Loreboxedset.Strahdreceivesas+1bonustoallsavingthrowsvs.necromanticspellswhileall hisopponentssuffera1penaltyvs.necromanticspellscastbyhim. Strahdwearsapendantthatisanamuletofproofagainstdetectionandlocation.Healso wearsacloakofprotection+2,aringoffireresistance,andaringofspellturning.Inmelee,the necromanceremployshislongsword+1,+2vs.magicusingcreaturesandenchantedcreatures.

Strahdkeepsacontingencyspellactiveatalltimes.Ifdefeatedincombat(reducedto0 hp)orexposedtoparalyzingordestructivelight,heisinstantlytransportedtohiscoffinbelow CastleRavenloft.Thus,itispossibletotakeadvantageofhimshouldhebeforcedintogaseous form.IfStrahdisreducedto25%ofhishitpointtotal,thevampireattemptstoescapebycasting teleportorbychangingintoabatandflyingoff. Thomurray(andLynrich) 12levelpriests Intvery(11);AC8(wearingnoarmor);MV12;hp75;THAC014;#AT1;Dmgperweapon;SA spells;SDnone;SZM;ML13;MRnil;ALLG;XP3,000. Spells(6/5/5/3/2/2):Bless,curelightwounds(x2),detectmagic,purifyfoodanddrink,sanctuary;aid, auraofcomfort,chant,obscurement,trip;createfoodandwater,cureblindnessofdeafness,dispelmagic, magicalvestment,removecurse;cureseriouswounds,divination,protectionfromevil,10radius;dispel evil,raisedead;bladebarrier,heal. Monsters Mostcreaturesencounteredinthismodulearesospecializedthattheycannotberun withoutfirstconsultingtheproperappendixoftheMONSTROUSCOMPENDIUM TM.Inthis light,listingamonstersstatsinthetextmayactuallyberedundantaswellasinsufficient. Therefore,ratherthanlistmonsterstatsinthismodule,thespecificappendixfromwhichthe creaturewastakenislistedafterthemonstersname.MONSTROUSCOMPENDIUMTMvolumesI andIIappearasMCI/II,theRAVENLOFTappendixislistedasMCRL,andsoon.DMsare advisedtoreadoverthemonsterentriesbeforebeginningplay,tokeeptheircompendiumsat handduringplay,andtoturntotheproperpagesasencountersoccur. FortheDMsbenefit,monstersappearinboldtypethroughoutthetext.Ofcourse, NPCsandspecialmonstersaredescribedinfull. WanderingMonsters Undermostcircumstances,wanderingmonstersareabsolutelyoutofplaceina RAVENLOFTmodule!Adventuresinthedemiplaneofdreadareprimarilyplotdriven. Everythingthatgoesbumpinthenightshouldbecarefullyinsertedintotheadventureatapoint whereitismosteffectiveforestablishingthesenseofforebodingthatliesbeneaththeexperience, andtheunknownthinglurkinginthedarkcornershouldbepartofsometerribletruththatthe playercharacters(perhapsfoolishly)hopetouncover. RootsofEvilisaspecialexceptiontothisrule.WhenAzalinsphylactery(andthelich within)isbroughtthroughtheMists,theGrandConjunctionissetinmotionanddenizensof RavenloftbegintofilterintothePrimeMaterialPlane.Small,temporaryportalsthatlinkthe ShadowPlanewiththePrimeMaterialoccuratrandom,lettingloosethemonstersofRavenloft justafewatatime.Sometimes,eventhelordofadomainmayfindoneoftheseportals. Whenoneoftheseportalsopen,itscalledaminorconjunction.TheMinorConjunction EncounterChartisprovidedatthebackofthemoduletohelptheDMdeterminewhichmonsters comeforth.Notethatoncethelordofadomainappears,heorshemaynotappearagainreroll foranothercreature. TheDMwillideallyemploythisdeviceduringslowmovingpartsoftheadventure,such aswhenthepartyisenroutetothenextfeaturedencounterorwhenitpausestoolongatany pointalongthetrail.Thetextassignspercentagechancesforaminorconjunction,butDMsknow bestwhenoneisappropriate.

AjunctionbetweenRavenloftandthePrimeMaterialcantakemanyformsorno perceptibleformatall.TheDMisencouragedtotakeadvantageofanynearbyobjectsthatcould suddenlybecomeaportal,likeapairoftreesthatgrowtogetheroverheadorapuddleofwater. Aminorconjunctionismoredramaticifitisprecededbysomefluctuationinthesurroundings, likeasuddenchangeintemperatureorastronggustofwindanythingthatmakesthePCssay, Ivegotabadfeelingaboutthis.... Belowaresomesuggestionsforaminorconjunction(chooseorroll1d10). 1.Extremelythickmistssuddenlywellup,thenmonsterstumbleoutofthem. 2.Faeriefireignitesonnearbyobjects,racingalongedges,brighteningandexpandinguntilan arealargeenoughformonsterstopassthroughdevelops. 3.Thundercloudsbillowupatanunnaturalpace,thenlightningstrikesuncomfortablyclose. (Dexteritychecktodivefreeof5d6pointsofdamagesavingthrowvs.paralyzationforhalf damageapplies.)Whenthesmokeclears,monstersarestandingthere. 4.AlocalizedearthquakeknocksthePCstotheirknees.Thegroundopensupandmonsters crawloutofthehole. 5.AhighpitchedsquealrisesuntilthePCsmustclamptheirhandsovertheirears(savevs. petrificationorbedeafenedfor1d4rounds).A10footby10footsectionofspacenearthePCs blursasifitwereaphotographtakenoutoffocus,andmonsterstakeshapewithinbeforeit clears. 6.Anearbytreecreakseerily,asifitisbeingpulledapartlikeawishbone,thencracksopenwith anexplosionofsplinters(thosewithin20feetsavevs.paralyzationtodivefreeof2d10pointsof damage).Monstersemergefromwithin. 7.Anelectricalhumprecedesanenergyvortexthatappearsbetweenanytwouprightobjects. 8.Atornadoforms,eveninaclearsky,andthenspitsmonstersoutofitspointassoonasit touchesdown.PCsaresubjectto4d8pointsofdamagefrombeingtooclosetothetornado. 9.Animals/peoplestandupontwofeet,writheandscreaminpain,andchangeintomonsters beforethePCseyes.Thismayrequirefearandhorrorchecks. 10.Apieceofmetal(coin,etc.)thataPCcarriesgrowsincreasinglyhotandmelts,thenmonsters emergefromthepool. Someotherpossibilitiesincludemonsterspoppingoutofafireoragrave,througha mirrororareflectioninwater,andsoforth.Discretionisstronglyadvisedwhenemploying thisdevicetheideaisnottobeatthePCsintotheground,buttodeprivethemoftheluxuryof puttingoffthemissionuntiltheyfeelmorerestedorbetterpreparedtotackleit. AttributeChecks Duringvariouspointsinthismodule,PCsmaybecalledupon(ormayask)toperform actionsthattestthelimitsoftheirbasicattributes.Forexample,aPCmaywishtomakeadiving catchforavaluablegemthatisslippingoveraprecipice.Underthesecircumstances,saving throwshavelittlemeaning.Therefore,thecharacterinthisexampleshouldmakeaDexterity check.Theplayerrolls1d20andcomparestheresulttothecharactersDexterityscore.Ifthe numberrolledisequalorlessthanthePCsscore,thentheactionissuccessful.Ifthenumber rolledishigher,thenthePCwillhavemissedthegrabatbestandgoneoverthecliffwiththegem atworst.Modifiersmaymaketheactionabitmoredifficulttoaccomplish.... Anotheruseoftheabilitycheckistohelpplayerswhoarethoroughlylostorconfusedby theadventure.IfthePCshitadeadendanddontknowwheretoturn,theDMcanaskthe characterstomakeeitheranIntelligenceoraWisdomcheck.Thosewhosucceedtheirrollsmay begivenahintbytheDMthatwillgetthepartybackontrack.Theclueshouldbeafairlysubtle

one.PerhapstherecitedrhymeofanonplayercharacterkeepsrunningthroughaPCshead,or itoccurstoacharacterthatthepartyshouldreconsidertheinscriptiononthewallofthelast roomitwasin.Inanyevent,thistechniqueshouldbeusedsparingly.Lettheplayerswork throughmysteriesthemselvesifpossible.SometimesasubtlesmileontheDMsfaceisenoughto tellthemthattheyreontherighttrack...orwayoffbase. WhatHasGoneBefore InFromtheShadows,thePCsweredecapitatedandreanimatedasheadsonashelfin Azalinslaboratory.Inthiscondition,theywereobligedtodothelichsbidding,whichwasto journeyintothepast(tothenightRavenloftwasfirstformed)andmakeanadjustmentto history.TheyweretoremovetheHolySymbolofRavenkindfromthecastle,whichtheyeventually accomplished.(ItspossiblethattheyspiritedtheIconofRavenloftoutofthecastleaswell.) AzalinhadcorrectlyguessedthatremovingtheHolySymbolfromCastleRavenloftwould weakentheplanarboundariesthatrenderedRavenloftinescapable.Withthedeeddone,he allowedthePCstoregaintheirbodiesandfleehiscastle.Alongtheescaperoute,however,they mettheinfamousVistaniseerHyskosa,whotoldthemthattheymuststealAzalinsphylactery andtakeitintotheMists.Theydidso,neversuspectingthattheyhadplayedrightintoAzalins handsheappearedattheborderandallowedhisbodytobedefeatedinbattle,andhisspirit wasdrawnintothephylactery.ThusthePCsunwittinglycarriedAzalinoutofthedemiplaneof dread. AzalinwilledhisphylacteryandthePCstotraveltoPrimeMaterialBaroviasothathe canexactalongcontemplatedrevengeuponhisoldenemy,Strahd,whomadeaslaveofAzalin inRavenloftuntilhereceivedhisowndomainfromtheland. ButallisnotyetsafeforthenewlyfreedlordsoftheShadowPlane:Thefifthcoupletof thehexadwasskippedinHyskosasandAzalinshastetorealizetheGrandConjunction,which bringstheactiontothisadventure. RootsofEvil Asthisadventurebegins,StrahdhasalreadymadehisownwaybacktoPrimeMaterial BaroviaandintohissecretsanctumbelowCastleRavenloft.There,hehastakenuphiscrystal ballandferretedoutthemysteryofRavenloftsopenedborders.HehasscriedthePCs, discoveredtheirroleintherecentevents,andseenthattheycarrythephylacteryofAzalin. RealizingthattheHolySymbolofRavenkind(anobjectpoisonoustohisbeing)hasfalleninto Azalinshands,Strahdhasbegunhatchingplotsofhisown.Thevampirelordneedsamortalto retrievetheSymbolforhim(hecannottouchithimself)sothathecandisposeofitandendany threattohisperson.StrahdalsoknowsthatreturningtheSymbolandtheIconofRavenkindtothe chapelaltarwillrestoretheintegrityofthedarkpowers,causetheGrandConjunctiontocollapse, andsendhimbacktohisshadowplanarprison.Thathecannotabide!Strahdwilldoanything withinhispowertoensurethatthePCsdontreturntheitemstothealtar. StrahdisdelightedwiththetimingoftheGrandConjunctionbecausePrimeMaterial Baroviascurrentruler,KingBarov,ishisnearperfecttwin.Furthermore,QueenKristianaisthe currentreincarnationofStrahdsbelovedTatyana!IfhecanonlyeliminateBarovandcovertly stepintothekingsplace... ThelastpieceofpertinentbackgroundinformationconcernsthehumanStrahd,some385 yearsinthepast.Atthattime,hewasabattlewearygeneral,stilllookingforwardtoadaywhen hewouldruletheland.Duringhisexploits,hewasapproachedbyayugolothfromGehenna namedInajira,whoofferedtomakehimundefeatableinbattleinexchangeforunknown concessions.Strahdagreedtothepact,butinsistedonkeepingInajirasBookofKeepinguntilthe

contractwasfulfilled.Inajira,havingsmallfearofmortalsandnoideaofhowtreacherousStrahd couldbe,consented. WhenStrahdbecameavampire,heliterallydisappearedintotheShadowPlanewiththe Bookandthusneverfulfilledhistermsofthecontract.Inajirawasdisgracedandexiledfrom Gehennaforthelossofhisprizepossessionandhisfailuretosealthepact.NowthatStrahdhas suddenlyreturnstothePrimeMaterialPlane,theyugolothisanxioustoretrievehisBookand exactsomevengeance! TheMostLikelyScenario IfthepartyhasntplayedFromtheShadows,thenadyingNPCappearsintheMistsand givesAzalinsphylacterytothePCs.Otherwise,thePCsfindthemselvesinPrimeMaterial Baroviawithit. AstheGrandConjunctionhastakenplace,creaturesofRavenloftwanderaboutand oftenengagethePCsincombat.Afteronebattle,Azalininhabitsoneofthefallenundeadand fleesthescene,leavingbehindhisphylactery.NosoonerdoesAzalinexitthanStrahdappears andunsuccessfullyattemptstotakethephylactery.LuckilyforthePCs,heneedstheirservices, soheavoidskillingthem. ThePCsaremetbytheVistaniseerMadameYvonna.Sheperformsareading,atwhich timesheidentifiestheoccurrenceoftheGrandConjunction,linkstheprophecyofHyskosatoit, anddiscussesthephylacteryofAzalin.ThePCsareleadtobelievesheisontheirside,butin realityMadameYvonnaisanagentofStrahd,soshetellsthePCsthattheymustretrievetheHoly Symbol(andtheIcon)inordertodestroythephylactery,andthattheymustfulfillthefifthcouplet oftheprophecy.SheclaimsthatfulfillingtheprophecynowwillcausetheGrandConjunctionto collapse.Infact,StrahdisusingthePCstocapturetheholyrelics.Heknowsthatrealizingthe fifthcoupletwillonlyreinforcetheGrandConjunction. MadameYvonnawarnsthepartythatAzalinwillcomelookingforthemandhis phylacteryafterhehasrested.Finally,sheadvisesthemtoseekmoreinformationatCastle Ravenloft. Aftersometroublewithsuspiciouscastleguards,thePCsaregrantedanaudiencewith KingBarovandQueenKristiana,bothofwhomareonthegoodside.Thequeenisahigh priestess,andsheusesherpowerstodivinemoreinformationforthePCs.Kristianadetermines thattheHolySymbolandtheIconmustbebroughttogetherwithAzalinsphylacteryonthe chapelaltarofCastleRavenloftinorderfortheGrandConjunctiontobereversedandthe phylacterytobedestroyed.ThisbecomesthePCsprimarymission. InajiraappearsandkillsBarov,thinkingheisStrahdandhopingtoenslavehisspiritto ransomagainstthepreciousBookofKeeping.Theyugolothimmediatelyrealizeshismistakeand kidnapsKristiana,planningtouseherasabargainingchip.RescuingKristianabecomesthe secondaryobjectiveoftheadventure. Shortlythereafter,thepartyisapproachedbyInajira,whotellsthemabouttheBookof KeepingandStrahdspact,made385yearsago.ThefiendexplainsthatStrahdhaslockedthe BookinavaultthatcanbeopenedonlywiththeHolySymbolofRavenkind.Untilhegetsitback,he cannotgohometoGehenna.Inshort,thefiendpromisestoreturnKristianasafelyinexchange forretrievingtheHolySymbol(whichhecanttouch,either)andliberatingtheBookofKeeping. ThenStrahdappearsandbanishesInajirawithasecretwordofpower.Strahdthentells thePCsmoreabouttheassociationwithInajirainthedistantpast.Strahdwishestodissolvethe 385yearoldpactwiththefiend.UnderthepretenseofgettingKristianaback,hetellsthePCsof aplan:TheymustconvinceAzalintosendthembacktothepast,tothedaythatStrahdmadehis pactwithInajira,andtheymustpreventthedealbeingstruck.StrahdsuggeststhatAzalinwill

cooperateifhisphylacteryisusedasransom,andheinstructsthePCsonhowtohidetheitem. ThisbecomesthetertiaryobjectiveofthePCs. Asithappens,Azalinisonlytoohappytocomplywiththerequest.Heunderstandsthat thePCsactionswillfulfilltheprophecyandsecuretheGrandConjunction.Besides,hewantsto givetheHolySymbol(andtheIcon)tothePCssotheyllleadhimtoStrahdandthusinadvertently helphimdestroythevampirelord.Pretendingtoacceptatradeofhisservicesandagrantof amnestytothePCsinreturnforhisphylactery,AzalinsendsthePCsbackintimeastheyhave asked. Backinthepast,thePCscompletetheirtertiaryobjective,buttheyalsofulfillthe prophecyofHyskosa.Whentheyreturntothepresent,thePCsrecovertheholyrelics,butfind thatStrahdhastakenthephylactery. ThePCsmaketheirwaytothehidingplaceoftheBookofKeepingandopenthevault. InajiraappearswithKristianaanddemandstomakeatradefortheBook.ThenStrahdappears withthephylacteryandastandoffensues.Finally,Azalintakespossessionofanearbycorpse andthestrugglegrowsmorecomplicated.Inthemidstofit,KristianahelpsthePCsdestroythe BookandremindsthePCsoftheirprimarymission.StrahdandAzalintemporarilyforgettheir differencestostopthePCs,butInajirarunsinterferenceforthem,claimingthatifhecantgo home,nobodycan. ThisallowsthePCstocompletetheirquest.

JumpStartThisencounterisprovidedforadventuringpartieswhohavenotplayedFromthe Shadows.ThesceneisPrimeMaterialBarovia,whichhascontinuedtolivepeacefullyforthelast 385years,sincethedaystrangemistsswallowedtheinhabitantsofCastleRavenloftandthen recededintothenewlyformeddemiplaneofdread. TheadventurebeginsinthewoodsjustoutsideofVallaki(seethemap).IfthePCs haventplayedthroughFromtheShadows,itsnecessarytoguidethemfirstintoBarovia.Untilthe phylacterycomesthroughthemists,thereisnothingoddaboutthesurroundings. //Itsapleasantdayasyouwalkthroughthewoodedcountryside,soakingupsunshine thatfiltersthroughtheleavesoverhead.Theforestisclamoringaroundyouasthebirdsinthe treescalltoeachotherandsmallanimalschirpshrillyatyourpassing.Thegentlescrapingof armorasyouwalkistheharshestsoundyouveheardallday. Then,withoutwarning,athickwhitefogclosesinandblotsoutthesun.Theentire forestfallsabsolutelysilent,asifasuddendreadhasclaspeditbythethroatandsqueezed.First thetreesinthedistancearelosttoview,andthenthosewithinafewfeetdisappearintotheheavy mist.Thesuddenquietweighsuponyoulikeadeadlymenacejustoveryourshoulder.Youhear asoftgroanjustahead....// IfthePCshesitatetorespond,thegroaningcontinues.Itisntaghostlyormonstrous moan,butthatofsomeonedying.Ratherthansaythistotheplayers,however,theDMmight makesuchsoundsandletthemguessatthecause. //Youdontseeheruntilyoualmoststeponherawomanlyingfacedownonthe ground,withonearmaroundalargestatueofagoldendragonsheadwithredglowingeyes. Thestatueis4feetlongfromsnouttobaseandappearsveryheavy. Oncloserinspection,younoteadarkpoolofbloodminglingwiththedirtbelowthe womanandstatue.Herpaddedarmorisstainedtoapatchy,blackishred.Theonlyreasonwhy shehasntalreadybledtodeathisthatshesalsobeenbadlyburnedbyfire,electricity,orboth, andherwoundshavethusbeencauterized. Atthesoundofyourapproach,thewomansummonsthestrengthtoliftherheadand lookyourway.Dirtiscakedinbloodyclotsacrossherface,andhereyesseemtogazefaraway. Thensheslowlyreachesouttoyou,groaninginpain,andsays,Please...ifthecauseofjustice meansanythingtoyou,thenyoumusttakeanddestroythisthing.Hershakinghandgestures towardthestatue.Ithousesthespiritofthemostevilofundeadwizards,Azalin...Lordof Darkon. Shecloseshereyesandtearsrundownhercheeks.Wehaveopenedthegatesofuntold evilandreleaseditupontheuniverse....Imsorry...Imsosorry.Hereyesrollupintoherhead. Theunknownwomanisdead.//

ContinuingtheAdventureThisisthepickuppointforthoseadventuringpartiesthathaveplayedFromtheShadows. ItssuggestedthattheDMrereadtheboxedcopyonpage60ofFromtheShadowstobesurethat theplayersareuptospeed.PartiesthathaventplayedFromtheShadowsalsocontinuewiththis scene.Theyllfindlittleofvalueonthewomanwhogavethemthephylactery,otherthan perhapsashortsword.(TheDMisfreetoplaceonherbodymoneyanditems,magicalor otherwise,suitabletotheindividualcampaign.ShecarriestreasuretypesMandQ.) //Themistsarethickerthaneveryoucanbarelyseeyourhandbeforeyourface,much lessyourcompanionsnearby.Ontheground,thedraconianeyesofAzalinsphylacteryburn withfuriousintensityandstainthefoganunwholesomered. Inthedistance,thequietgiveswaytoaneeriesoundthatsendsshiversupyourspines: ghostlylaughter.Thevolumerisesanddividesintotwovoices,thenfour,theneight,then sixteen,andsoon,untiltheshapelessvoidaroundyouisfilledwithmaniacaljeeringand hystericalscreaming.Itrisestoanearsplittingpitch,surroundingyouonallsidesandthen suddenlystops. Absolutesilence. Then,slowly,youperceiveaquietshufflingsound.Themiststhinslightly,andyoufind yourselfsurroundedbywalkingdead!// Tenzombies,tenghouls,sixwights,fourghasts,andtwowraiths(MCI/II,all)moveto attack.Ifthepartyisbeginningwiththisadventure,itwouldbereasonabletodoublethe numberofcreatures.Themonstersshouldntattackthepartyasaunifiedforce,butshouldenter combatoverthecourseofseveralrounds,asiftheyjusthappenedtobewalkingbyanddecided tojointhebattle. RoundinWhichMonstersArrive 1 2 Zombie 6 1 Ghoul 4 2 Wight 2 Ghast 3 Wraith

3 2 1 1 1 2

4 1 1 2

5 2 1

AlthoughthepartyisnotinRavenloft,theGrandConjunctionhasoccurred,soallrules effectsontheAD&DgamesystemdictatedbytheRAVENLOFTboxedsetapplyinthis adventure.ThisincludesthetougherTurningUndeadTableintheboxedsetrulesbook. Moreimportantly,aslongasthePCshaveAzalinsphylactery,allundeadareturnedasa lich.Furthermore,Azalinsspiritswithinthephylacteryatthispoint,creatingasinkholeof evilinthearea,soturningundeadattemptsaremadewitha4penalty.A12thlevelpriestneeds torolla20toturnevenalowlyskeleton! ThepackofundeadisasymptomoftheGrandConjunction.WiththegatesofRavenloft swungopen,creaturesofevilarefilteringthroughtothePrimeMaterialPlane.Asaruleof thumb,thereisa50%chanceperhourofarandomencounteroccurring.However,theDungeon MastercanallowthePCstheopportunitytohidefromthemanymonstersthatrovethe countryside;thatway,theyllseethatchaoshasbeenunleashed,buttheyllstillbeabletoreserve theirstrengthforthemainadventure.

Afterthebattlehasended,notewhereeachPCisstandinginrelationtoAzalins phylactery.Assoonasthelastoftheundeadhasbeendefeatedorturnedaway,readthenext box. //Themistshavedrawnoffwhileyouwerefighting,leavingyouundergloomyskies. Theforestnolongercheersyou,butnowseemsforebodingandtaintedbyevil. Offinthedistance,thesoundofscreamingreachesyourears.Itsoundslikeacryof humanterror,andthecauseisnthardtoguess.Throughthetreesyoucanseevariouscreatures wanderingaimlessly,asiftheywereanimalsescapedfromamonstrouszoo,lookingfor somethingtoeat.Theyseemtobeeverywhere,anditsonlyamatteroftimebeforemoreofthem comeuponyou. Somethingelseseizesyourattention.Thephylacteryhasopeneditsmouthanda greenishflamewithinflaresbrightly.Thedragonsheadroarsandspraysagoutofemerald flamefromitsgoldenjaws!// Thebreathweaponfillsa45footcubeinfrontofthephylactery,inflicting4d4+1pointsof damageuponthosecaughtwithin(saveforhalfdamage).Thosewithin5feetofanedgeofthe cubemayfirstattempttosavevs.paralysistodiveclearoftheflames. Whentheflamesclear,thenearestPCkilledundeadcreaturesuddenlystands(ifanyof thebodieswerewithinthebreathweaponsareaofeffect,chooseoneofthose).Thecreatures facialappearancehaschangedalthoughitsgarmentsarethesame.IfthePCshaveplayedFrom theShadows,theyimmediatelyrecognizeAzalin,whohasjustclaimedanewbody. Atthispoint,thelichonlyseekstoescapethePCs,forpassingthroughtheclutchesofthe darkpowersandtakingpossessionofanewbodyhasseriouslyweakenedhim.(ShouldAzalins newbodybedestroyedbeforeheescapes,thelichsimplytakespossessionofanotherbody.)The onlyspellsthathecancastarelistedbelow,whicharespellsthathavenomaterialcomponents. ThesearespellscarriedoverfromthefinalbattleinFromtheShadows,andDMswhoranthat modulemaywishtocheckifAzalinhaseitherusedanyofthosespellsinthatfight,orifhe doesnthavethemduetothepossibledeathofhisfamiliar,Skeever.Notethathedoeshavefull hitpointsandretainsallinnatelichabilities.(SeetheNPCsummary,p.6,forAzalinsstatsand theRAVENLOFTboxedsetformoredetails.) Azalinspossiblespells(3/1/1/2/2/1/3/1):Charmperson,magicmissile(x2);rayofenfeeblement; dispelmagic;dimensiondoor,phantasmalkiller;domination,telekinesis;eyebite;forcecage,powerword stun,teleportwithouterror;prismaticwall. Azalincantcarryhis200poundphylactery,sohesforcedtoimmediatelyfleewithoutit. Toaidhisescape,heuseshisinnatelichabilitytosummonundead25skeletonsand15 zombies(MCI/II)cometohiscall.Notethatlichcontrolledundeadtakeonareddishglowin theireyes,whichmatchesthatoftheirmaster.Anycharacterlooksintotheeyesofalichminion mustmakeafearcheckduringeachofthefirsttworoundsofcombattreattheeffectasagaze attack(seetheDMG).Also,notethatallundeadareturnedasalichaslongasAzalins phylacteryispresent. AllowthePCstoallbutfinishoffthemonsters,thenAzalincallsfromthesafetyofthe shadows: //Imafraidweregoingtohavetofinishourbusinesstogetheratanothertime.It seemsIveoverextendedmyselfforthetimebeing.Ah,well,ImnotasyoungasIusedtobe. Thenagain,mastermindingtheGrandConjunctionwilltireoutapoorspellcaster!

Youdbettershowproperrespectformyphylactery,forifyoutrytodestroyitandfail andyouwillIllhuntyoudown.Azalinpausesforasinisterlaugh,butthenhisvoiceturns deadlyserious.Youveservedmewellandyoullservemeagain,mortals.Aliveordead,youll beminetocontrol!// IfthePCssearchforAzalin,theyfindnosignofhim.AllowthePCsafewroundsto tendtheirwounds,regaintheirbearings,anddiscussaplanofaction.Iftheyattempttodestroy Azalinsphylactery,theyarecompletelyunsuccessfulanyblowdeliveredtothedragonshead simplybouncesoffwithoutleavingsomuchasascratch.Magichasnoeffectuponiteither. However,thecastingofadispelmagicuponthephylacterycausesittoshrinkoverthecourseof tworoundsintoasmallskullaboutthesizeofachilds.Ifnothingelse,thismakesthephylactery easiertocarry. TheTrackingFeature SeetheIntroductionfordetailsregardingthisspecialfeatureofAzalinsphylactery. Whenacharacterpicksuptheskull,thatplayershouldbeinstructedtoroll1d20,buttheDM shouldntsaywhattherollisfor.Mostplayerswillassumethattheyhavejustmadeasaving throw,butinfactitisaWisdomcheckwitha4penalty.Ifthecheckissuccessful,tellthe characterthattheeyesofthephylacteryflashedforjustamomentasitwaspickedup.IfthePC declaresthatheisexaminingthephenomenon,tellhimthatitflashesonceortwicemoreashe manipulatesit.Atthispointitsalmostimpossibletofigureoutthattheskullactsasahoming device.Azalinisonthemove,sorepeatedexperimentsmaketheeyesflashwhenitispointedin differentdirections.Allowthepartytodiscussthesituationforafewroundsandthenproceedto thenextbox. //Avoicefromtheshadowsspeaks,saying,IamtheAncient,IamtheLand.Myword andwillarelawhere,andyouaremysubjects. Youwhirlaboutandfacethedirectionfromwhichthevoicecomes,andatallmanwith strongfeaturesandprominentcheekbonesemerges,seeminglyfromthinair.Hiseyesaredark andhypnotic,likedeeppoolswithsubtlereflectionsofredlight.Hisfingersarelongandthin, withsharpnails.Hesdressedinrich,blackclothing,andwearsamedallionwithalargered stonearoundhisneck. Hecontinues,Icongratulateyouonopeningtheprisongatethathaslongheldmefrom mydestiny.Yourtimingcouldnothavebeenbetter. BowbeforeLordStrahdvonZarovich,heorders,andyieldallthatIcommand!// Strahdadvancesonthepartyandsays,Givemethehouseofthatimpudentlich.He wasmyslaveinthepastandhewillbesoagain!Strahdwontbargainatthispoint,norwillhe listentoreason.Ifthepartyresistshim,Strahdattacksthemuntiltheygiveupthephylactery. (SeetheNPCsummaryforStrahdsstats.)HefightsthePCsonlyuntilhereachesAzalins phylactery,atwhichtimeheattemptstograspit.However,Azalinhasanticipatedthepossibility thathisarchenemywouldattempttotakepossessionofthephylactery,sothelichhasenchanted itwithapowerfulwardagainstvampires.Therefore,whenStrahdtouchestheskull,itburnshim withanaudiblehiss;hedropsitwithasnarlandfleesthescene. IfthePCssimplysurrenderthephylacteryupondemand,itburnshimandhelashesout angrilyatthePCwhogaveittohim.This,ofcourse,caninciteafullblownbattle.Inanycase,if andwhenStrahdflees,hethreatensthePCsfromtheshadowsasdidAzalin.

//Fromthedarkness,Strahdsvoicefillsyourearswithahatefultone.Youmaybe certain,foolishmortals,Illbebetterpreparedwhennextwemeet,heintones.Youreinmy land,andyoushallnotescapemywrath.Ifyoufailtocooperate,Iwillsurelygiveyouanew definitionofpainbeforeImfinished!//

MadameYvonnaThepartyisquiteprobablyonitslastlegbythistime.IfthePCsplayedFromtheShadows, theyfacedatoughbattlebeforestartingRootsofEvil,andthismodulebeganwiththesame intensitythatendedthelast.ButthePCshavesettheGrandConjunctioninmotion,andtheyre caughtupinanancientvendettabetweentwopowerfulenemies.Tosurviveandsetthingsright, theywillneedmuchmorethanbattleprowess. IfanyofthePCshavedied,theDMmightallowQueenKristianatoresurrectthem(see theCastleRavenloftsection).Forthetimebeing,lettheplayersbelievethatthesecharacters arelost.Suggesttheymaypickupanewcharacterwhenthepartyfindsalikelyspottorecruit replacements. Ontheotherhand,somepartiesareeithersopowerfulorsoluckythattheymaystill haveplentyoffightleftinthematthispoint.Ifsuchisthecase,thentheDMshouldfeelfreeto harassthemandsaptheirstrengththroughadditionalencounterswithanycreaturesfromthe MinorConjunctionEncounterChart. AsthePCsexplore,theyhituponaroughpaththroughtheforest(seethemapof Vallaki).Assumingtheyfollowthepath,theycomeupontheVistanicamp. //Throughthethickforestandtwistingmists,youspotatwinkleoffirelight.Asturdy wagonrestsinaclearingandyourecognizetheroundedroofandcolorfulornamentsthatmarka Vistanicaravan.Fiveoliveskinnedhumanstendthecampfireandbustleaboutaboy,two youngwomen,andtwomaturemen.Theyseemoblivioustothedangersallaroundthem. Suddenly,azombieburststhroughthebrushandadvancesonthecamp.Beforeyoucan evenreact,itstopsbeforeitreachesthegypsywagon,thenitturnsandwandersawayasifithad forgottenwhereitwasgoing.TheVistanidontevensparetheundeadthingaglance.// ThePCsobservetheboymarkingaperimeteronthegroundaroundthecampby sprinklingdustfromaleatherpouch.Thisisaspecialdustthatprovidesinvisibilitytoundead. Forthenextseveralhours,wanderingundeadpassbytheareawithoutattacking.(Formoodand effect,theDMmightoccasionallypointouttothePCsthatanundeadortwoapproachesthe camp,hitstheline,andcontinuesonitsway.)ThedustisasecretVistanipreparation,andthey wonttellanyonewhoisntaVistanahowtomakeit.Theywill,however,sellsmallquantities: oneapplicationcosts500gpandprovidesa10footwardingcirclethatlasts1d8rounds. Themenworkthefiretoahealthyblaze,andthewomensitbyandconferquietly.Allow thePCstodecideuponacourseofactionatthispoint.Iftheyremainhidden,oneofthefemales looksupasifsomevoicespoketoher,noticesthem,andmotionsforthePCstoapproach. //Thesearetheones,saystheslightlyolderofthetwowomen,adarkskinnedbeauty ofabout20years.ImArabelle,shecallsouttoyou,andthisisDonella.Wevebeenexpecting you.Wereheretohelp.// AtArabellescommand,theboyabandonshisprojectandentersthevardo.Arabelleand Donellapullakettlefromthefireandpoursteamingwaterintocups,brewinganherbalteawith curativepowers.(Theywontsellthistoanyone.)Theyhelpbindwoundsandthenadministertea toanyPCwhowantsit,explainingthattheteawillmakethemfeelbetter.Theteahasthe powerofacureseriouswoundsspell.Itworksonceperday. IfthePCsaskquestions,theVistanigirlssaythatMadameYvonnahasforeseentheir comingtoBarovia,thattheyaretohealtheirwounds,andthatMadameYvonnawillseethem shortly.TheyalsooffertowardanydeadPCagainstrisingasundead.IfaskedwhytheVistani

arebecominginvolved,theyadmitthatMadameYvonnasaysthePCsareveryimportantpeople. Otherwise,theymakesmalltalkanddowhattheycantomakethePCscomfortable.Anymind readingspellorpsionicpowerrevealsthattheyretellingalltheyknowYvonnaissecretive evenwithherownpeople. //TheVistanimakeyouascomfortableaspossibleunderthecircumstances,tendingto yourwoundsandevenpreparingasavorystewforamiddaymeal.Asyousopupthelastofthe spicygravyinyourwoodenbowlwithacrustofbread,thedooronthebackofthevardosnicks openaninchortwo. MadameYvonnaispreparedtoseeyou,now,announcesArabelle.Enterhervardo withopenearsandminds,andlearn.// WhenthePCsenterYvonnasvardo,theyfinditiscrowdedwithcuriousitemsofgypsy make.Everyinchofspaceisusedtostoreonethingoranother,andthereisjustenoughroomfor thePCstostandveryclosetogetherwiththeirarmsattheirsides. MadameYvonnasitsonabenchatthefarend,againstthefrontwallofthewagon.She appearstobe50to60yearsofageandisdressedinblackandredwithwhiteaccents.Hersalt andpepperhairisdrawnbackinabraidthatiswoundupandpinnedtoherhead. OnaredclothcoveredtablebeforeYvonnalieacrystalball,atarokkadeck,andasetof dikeshadice(seetheForbiddenLoreboxedsetDMswhodonthavethatboxmaysimplyconsider theitemstobemiscellaneousfortunetellingaids).TheVistanashandrestsonthecrystalball. Withintheconfinedquarters,onlytwocharacterscanstanddirectlynexttothetable,therest mustcrowdbehindandlookovereachothersshoulders. Thecrystalballisusedforfortunetelling,butMadameYvonnahasbeenemployingit mainlyasameansofcommunicationwithStrahdsincehereenteredthePrimeMaterial.The vampirelordhasalreadybeguntoplotastrategytothwartAzalin,andMadameYvonnahas agreedtohelphim. IfanyPCsstareintentlyattheorb,thehavea20%chancetonoticeamalevolentface within,watchingtheproceedings.SuchPCsmaymakeanIntelligencecheckwitha4penaltyto identifythefaceasStrahds.Iftheydososuccessfully,MadameYvonnatellsthemthattheyseea forcethatmaybetheirfriendorenemy,dependingupontheirfutureactions. Thetarokkadeckisspreadacrossthetableinanextendedcrossformation(again,seethe ForbiddenLoreboxedset):atotalofninecardsarrangedintooneverticalandonehorizontalrow offivecards,thecentercardbeingthemiddleofeachrow.Eachcardspositionhasanumber:1 isthecentralcard,2isthecarddirectlybelow1,3liesdirectlytotheleftof1,4liesdirectlyabove 1,5liesdirectlytotherightof1,6liesbelow2,7liestotheleftof3,8liesabove4,and9liestothe rightofcard5. Thespecificcards,alreadypulledfromthedeck(asstatedintheIntroduction),arelaid outwheretheDMcanseethemasfollows:1themarionette(orjackofclubs);2thedonjon (oraceofhearts);3thedarklord(orkingofhearts);4thebeast(orkingofdiamonds);5the artifact(oraceofdiamonds);6themists(oraceofclubs);7theraven(orkingofclubs);8 thehangman(oraceofspades);and9theinnocent(orkingofspades). MadameYvonnaremainssilentasyoucrowdintohervardo,measuringyouwithsevere eyes.Shemakesthesignoftheevileyeatyouandthenleansforwardandgazesintohercrystal ball. Heedthesewords,sheorders.Sheleansovertheglassballandbeginstoread: InhouseofDaegonthesorcererborn, Throughlife,unlife,unlivingshallscorn. Thelifelesschildofsternmotherfound

Heraldsatime,nightofevilunbound. Seventhtimethesonofsonsdothrise Tosendtheknavetoaneternityofcries. Thelightoftheskyshiningoverthedead Shallgutterandfail,turningalltored. InajirawillYvonnapausesandfrowns.Thenshebeginsagain,butslowly,asifshes notsureofwhatshesees. Thebodilessjourneytotimebefore, Wherehappinesstohatemakeslandoflore. Inajirawillhisfortunesreverse, Andallshalllivewithdreadedcurse. MadameYvonnaleansbackfromtheballandmuses,Whatdoesitmean?Whatdoesit mean?Thenshelooksupatyou. Mypowerstellmethataprophecyhasbeenfulfilledandyetnotfulfilled.Theevilthat crawlsthelandtellsmethatsomethingimportanthascertainlyoccurred,yetthecrystalball deniesthatthisisso. TheseverseswhichIhavereadforyouaretheharbingerofthegreatestofallevils;a thingthatiscalledtheGrandConjunction.Whatdoyouknowofallthis?// IfthepartyhasplayedFromtheShadows,theyshouldrecognizetheversesasthoserecited tothembyHyskosainAzalinsdungeon.MadameYvonnaquizzesthePCsbouttheprophecy, butunlesstheyveplayedtheadventuresthatdealwithHyskosasHexad,itslikelythattheyll onlyrecognizethecoupletaboutthebodilessjourneyingtoatimebefore.Ifthegrouphasnt playedanyoftheadventures,Yvonnasighsattheirlackofwisdomandmoveson.Whateverthe PCsknowoftheprophecyshouldbeworkedintoYvonnasinterpretationofthecardsinthe followingreading.WhenthediscussionofHyskosasHexadisfinished,readthenexttextbox. //Yvonnaputsasidehercrystalballandintentlylooksyouover.Ivemetmightier wizardsandwarriorsthanyouinmytime,yetnonehaveImetwhoaresointimatelyboundup inaneventofsuchimportastheGrandConjunction.HyskosasHexadisboundtightlywithin yourfortunes,andthatisnosmallaffaireither.Evilsurroundsyouonallsidesmalevolence beyondwhatyourimaginationscangraspyetyouholdthedestinyofalltheuniverseinyour hands.Youarerareandspecialcreaturesindeed! Ivelookedintoyourpastsandseengreatexploits,butIhavelookedintoyourfutures andseenevengreaterdeedsordeathandworse.Historystandsatacrossroadsandwaitsfor youtochooseitscourse.// ThefollowingboxreferstothecardswhichtheDMshouldhavespreadintheextended cross. //MadameYvonnagesturesatthemysticalcardsonthetablebeforeher.Hereisaturn ofthetarokkawhichdefiesbelief:TheentirereadingconsistsofcardsfromonlytheHighDeck!I havelaidthetower,thepyramid,andnowtheextendedcrossforyou,andeachdealingproduced thesameresults.Ifyoucanimaginedealingtheexactsame,highcardsfromadeckofcommon playingcards,threetimesinarow,thenyouhavesomeideaofthegravityofthisoccurrence! Allowmetointerpretthecardsforyou.// ReadingthePCsFortune

TheDMshouldbeasfamiliaraspossiblewiththefollowingreadingbeforerelayingit. BepreparedtodiscussthecardswhilebearinginmindYvonnasknowledge(andwhatsheisand isnotwillingtoreveal). Card1:Thatwhichliesatthecenteristhefocusofthereading,andthatisyou.Itisthecardof themarionette,themanipulated.Thatyouhavebeenplacedinthissituation,socrucialtothe fateofallofus,isnosurprise. Card2:Thiscardrepresentsthenearpast.Itisthedonjoncard,andittellsmethatyouhave beentrappedbyyourcircumstances.Whetheryouwillescaperemainstobeseen. Yvonnaguessesthatthecharactersweremadeprisoners,andthoughtheydontsit behindbars,theymaybeinprisonstill.(IfthePCsadventuredthroughFromtheShadows,then thisisliterallytrue.) Thedonjoncardspositionofoppositiontothebeastcard(4)suggeststhatthebeastmay setthemfreeorforeverimprisonthem. Card3:This,thecardoftheraven,isasignofhopeandgoodness,yetitliesinthepositionof hindrance.Itakeittomeanthatwhichopposesyoumayyetbeyourfriend.Judgecarefully beforeyounameyouralliesandfoes,foreachmaybetheother. Inthisposition,theravencardrepresentsbothhelpandhindrance.Thecharacters shouldlooktotheiradversariesforhelptheycanreceivenowhereelse.IfthePCsbringup Strahdsname,YvonnasuggeststhatthecardcouldbeanimageofStrahdandthatthevampire lordmightprovetobeanallysincetheyshareacommonenemyinAzalin. Yvonnathensays,Thiscardalsosuggeststhatthereisanobjectofquestionablevalue betweenthefocusandthedarklordperhapssomethingthatthedarklordhasandyouneed,or somethingthatyouhaveandthedarklordcraves.Doyouknowwhatthismaybe?Yvonna citesthisasanimportantpointandquestionsthePCsuntiltheyrevealthattheyholdAzalins phylactery.IftheyremainsecretiveortheyhaventplayedFromtheShadows,shelldeducemore andmoreaboutituntilsheidentifiestheskull. Yvonnadoesntrevealthatshealreadyknowsaboutthephylacteryandisallowingthe PCstothinkthatherprognosticationpowersarehersoleguide.Yvonnaalsoknowsthatthe ravenisaclearsymbolofStrahd,butshecantopenlyadvocatehiscausesinceshedoesntwant thePCstoknowthatsheserveshim. Card4:This,thecardofthebeast,isyournearfuture.Itportendsamonsteroffearsomepower perhapsonethatyoumaynotwithstandorelseonethatyoumaybecome. Yvonnadoesntknowthemeaningofthiscard.Itspositionindicatesthatthebeastmay betweenthefocusanddeath,suggestingthatthebeastisagoodthing,yetthecarditselfisa symbolofevil.Infact,thebeastcardreferstoInajira,theyugoloththatthePCsmeetinthe CastleRavenloftencountersection,butYvonnaknowsnothingofthecreature.Shecanonly suggestthatthebeastismorehorribleandpowerfulthananytheyhaveseen. Card5:Hereisyourneedandhope,inthecardoftheartifact.Itisagreatpowertosupplement thatwhichyoulack.Curiously,itspositionsaysthatitisfoundandnotfound.Ithinkthegreat magicthatcansaveusallhasbeendiscovered,yetnotidentified. Yvonnaproposesthatthemagicliesinthehandsoftheravenorthedarklord.IfthePCs playedFromtheShadows,sheaddsthatthestraightlinefromthecardoftheartifactthroughthe focusandtothecardsoftheravenanddarklordsuggeststhatthePCsthemselvesdeliveredthat magicintothosehands.Therefore,theyvealreadyseenthismagic,althoughtheydidntsuspect itspoweratthetime.Also,becausethecardoftheartifactliesinoppositiontotheraven,it

suggeststhatsomethingofpurestgoodmustbegivenovertodarknessinordertobeofgreatest value.Yvonnaconcludes,Youmustseekthemagicthatisfoundandnotfound. ThecardreferstotheHolySymbol(aswellastheIcon).Theseitemsareindeednecessary toreversetheGrandConjunction. Card6:Thecardofthemistsspeaksofanenigmainthedistantpast.Itisacuriouscardinthis position,foritbodeschangeineventsthathavealreadyoccurred. Yvonnadoesntyetunderstandthemeaningofthiscard,butshesuspectsthatitmaybe relatedtoHyskosasHexad.Thecardsuggeststhataneventisinflux,subjecttochange dependingupontheactionsofthefocus.ItspositioninthedistantpastofthePCsisperplexing toYvonnaunlessthecharacterslinkittoeventsofFromtheShadows,inwhichtheymayconclude thatthecardreferstotheirremovaloftheHolySymbolfromCastleRavenloft.IfthePCsmake thatconnectionandtellYvonnaaboutit,sheagreeswiththeirinterpretation,butremains troubledbythecard. Infact,thecardreferstothequestthatthePCswillundertakelater,duringwhichthey changehistoryagain. Card7:Hereisthecardofyourenemy,thedarklord.Itisthisonewhohaspulledyourstrings, entrappedyouwithdireplans. Yvonnasays,Yourenemyisbothdeadandnotdead,anditwieldsgreatmagic.Itistoo powerfulforyoutoconquer,yetitscardofoppositiontheinnocentsuggeststhatyoumayyet findameanstodefeatit.Again,thecardoftheartifactstandsbehindthefocus,inoppositionto thedarklord. Theobjectsymbolizedbytheraventhephylacterywhichliesbetweenyouandthe darklordtellsmethattheowneroftheskullisyourenemy.Itishimyoumustdefeat. YvonnadoesntrevealthatherdescriptionofthePCsenemyfitsbothAzalinandStrahd. Nordoessherevealthattheobjectbetweenthefocusandthedarklord,theraven,mayrepresent Strahdratherthanthephylactery. Card8:Thiscard,thehangman,istheharbingerofyourfuture.Itmayspeakofdeath,yetdeath isbutagatewaytootherfortunes. Yvonnacontinues,Thisplaceinyourfuturethatthecardofthehangmanoccupiesis unknown,anditiscertainlydark.Youcannotturnawayfromit,foritistherenomatterwhich wayyouchoose.Youronlyhopeistomovethroughandbeyonditbeforetheend. Card9:Thecardoftheinnocentstandsinoppositiontothedarklord.Youmusthelpthisone, butitwillaidyoutoo. Yvonnapausesandthensays,Thisisafigureoflightandpurity.Itsabilitytooppose thedarklordsuggeststhatitisquitepowerful.Innocenceandpowertogetherpointthewayto onlyoneperson:QueenKristiana,highpriestessinthecourtofKingBarovatCastleRavenloft. Sheissurelyyourallyinthiscause. ReadingtheEnemysFortune Whenthereadingisfinished,shufflethecardsonthetablebackintothedeck. Readthefollowingboxtotheplayers.NotethatAzalinisreferredtoastheenemyin thissectionincasethenameAzalinhasntcomeup;thosewhohaventplayedFromtheShadows maynotknowwhoAzalinis,eventhoughtheymethimwhenthisadventurebegan.TheDM cansubstituteAzalinsnamewhereverthewordenemyappearsifthePCshavediscussedhim withMadameYvonna.

//MadameYvonnagathersupthetarokkadeckandsays,NowIwillreadthefortuneof yourenemy,tobetterarmyouagainsthisplots.Idontknowhim,butsinceyouareclosely connectedtohim,youmustshufflethecardsandtouchthemtothephylactery.Thiswillattune themtohislifeforce.// TheDMshouldallowtheplayerstoshuffleorcutthedeck.Ifthedeckisstackedas describedintheIntroduction,takeitbackandplaceit,faceup,ontopofthepreparedstack. Thenpickupthisadventureandfliptothenextpage(asifcheckingonupcomingevents),roll somedice,orperformanyactionthatdistractstheplayerswhilethedeckisstacked. Dealoutthefivecardsinabasiccrossformationwheretheplayerscanseethem.The basiccrossisahorizontalandverticalrowofthreecardseach,withthecentercardrepresenting themiddlepositionofbothrows.Card1isthecentralone,whilecard2liesbelowit,card3lies toitsleft,card4liesaboveit,andcard5liestotheright. IftheplayerswonderwhyYvonnaisusingalessernumberofcards,explainthattheuse ofanymorewouldtaxthedeckbecausetheyarereadingaboutafigureisntpresent.Short readingssaytheleast,Yvonnasays,buttheyarethemostaccurate. MadameYvonnadoesherbesttoreadStrahdsplansintothecards,sohercommentsare directedmostlyatAzalin.However,mostofhercommentsshouldbewordedsothat,in hindsight,aPCmightrealizethatshecouldhavebeentalkingaboutStrahd,too. Card1:Thefocusofthisreadingisapractitioneroftheblackarts.Thisisthesuitofthewizard andtheintellectual.Thus,thefocuscardisthatofthenecromancer. Thefocusisblurrytome.PerhapsitsbecauseIvenotmetorseenthesubject,butthere issomethingmore....Ahh,Azalinisnothistruename.Hismortalnamehekeepstohimself. Verywise,foranameconferspower,andthelackofonedeniespower. IfthePCsrecallthenameofFiranZalhonanandmentionittoYvonna,shenods,saying, Yes,yes.Youarequiteright,andinthatknowledgeyouarepowerful.Yvonnadoesntknow whatpowerisconferredbytheknowledgeofAzalinstruename,onlythatlichesconcealthem verycarefully. YvonnadoesntrevealthatStrahd,alsoanecromancer,couldalsobethefocusofthe reading.IfthePCsaskaboutStrahdsrole,shediscountsitandsuggeststhathehatesAzalin morethantheydoperhapsheistheirally. Card2:Againthesuitofstars(hearts),symbolizingthedesireforpowerormastery.Theenemy hasalonghistoryofthepursuitofpoweratallcosts.Thetwoofthatsuitisthecardofthe divinerandisusuallyasignofgoodintent,butIdontthinkthatisthemeaningindicatedinthis, thepositionoftheenemyspast.Rather,Ithinkitindicatesthattheenemyhasexpendedagreat dealofenergylookingintothepastorthefutureorboth. YvonnasuggeststhatAzalinhasspenthispastlookingintothefuturesothathemight understandandpossiblyalteritscourse.Thecardofopposition,theanarchist,indicatesthathe succeeded.Therefore,todefeatAzalin,historymayhavetobechangedagain. Card3:Hereisthecardofthepaladin,representingthosewhousetheirmightforthecauseof justice,anditliesinthepositionofhindrancetothefocus.Wecanonlyassumethatitisyour group. Yvonnatellstheparty,Thepaladincardisagoodsign,foritisapowerfuloneandit indicatesthatitiswithinyoutoopposeanddefeattheenemy.Thepaladinisalawfulcharacter, though,soyourplanmustbeonecarefullylaidanddevoidofbrashviolence.Thinkbeforeyou

strike.Considerallyourenemiesasmorethanevilcreatures,foreventheworstofthemmaydo somegood. Card4:Thisisthecardoftheanarchistinthefutureposition.Itsignifiesacollapseoforder,and isnodoubttheenemysobjective.YvonnatellsthePCsthatthechaostheyhavecreatedin causingtheGrandConjunctionisonlythebeginning.IfAzalinisntstopped,theneventhe tarokkacannotpredictthefuture,foritwillnolongerhaveformormeaning. YvonnadoesntrevealthatthisisthefutureforwhichsheandStrahdhope. Card5:Thecardinthispositionreferstothefriendsandalliesofthefocus.Thisparticularcard, thatofthetraitor,indicatesthatsomeoneorsomethingwillbetraythepaladin,whostandsin oppositiontoit. Yvonnatellsthepartytobewaretheirfriendsandallies,fortheymaybetraythemeven innocently.Again,ifStrahdhasenteredtheconversation,shesuggeststhathemaybetheally unlookedfor,andthattheyshouldntjudgehimtooharshly. Yvonnadoesntrealizeit,butthecardreferstoInajira.Thearcanalothscardliesinthe positionofalliancetoAzalinbecausethefiendisanenemyofStrahdandisthusanallyto Azalin,ifonlysuperficially. YvonnasAdvice Gatherupthecardsandputthemaside,thenreadthefollowing. //MadameYvonnashakesherheadthoughtfullyandthenlooksatyousearchingly, appearingtosizeyouup. Youarebraveheroes,yes?sheasks,notreallyexpectingananswer.Youmustbevery brave,verystrong,andperhapsveryluckytoo,ifyouhopetosetthingstorights.Youhavea powerfulenemy,andyouhavebecomeinvolvedineventsthataffectthisandmanyworldsacross theuniverse. BringingthephylacteryofAzalinoutofthemistshassettheGrandConjunctionin motion,fortheskullwasnevermeanttoleavetheplacewhereitlayformanyyears.Itmaybe thatthedestructionofAzalinsphylacterywillsetthingsright.Doingsoisnosmalltask,butI believethereismuchmoreinyourdestinythandestroyingalich. Youmustseekthemagicthatislostandfound,butalsoseektheaidofQueenKristiana atCastleRavenloft.Sheknowsmuchofthegreatestmagicksshecanevenrestorelifetothose whomshefavors!IftherearemortalpowerstodestroythehouseofAzalin,thequeenwillknow. Iamfinishednow.Youmaygo. MadameYvonnabowsherheadandseemstoforgetthatyouarethere.Thedoorofthe vardoopensbehindyou,andArabellemotionsyouout.// ThePCsdiscoverthattimehaspassedmorequicklythantheyrealizedwhiletheywere withMadameYvonnaitisalreadygrowingdark.ArabellepointsoutthedirectiontoVallaki, wherethePCscanpickuptheOldSvalichRoadandgotoCastleRavenloft,butshewontoffer anymoreaidthanthat.ThegypsieswontallowthePCstostayinthecampwiththem;themen especiallyreactnegativelytoanysuggestionofcontinuedinteraction.

VallakiVallakiisashorthikefromthespotwherethePCsencounteredtheVistani.Notethatthe creaturesfromtheMinorConjunctionEncounterChart,orvirtuallyanycreaturefromthe RAVENLOFTappendixoftheMONSTROUSCOMPENDIUMTM,walkabouttheland.Also, thesunsetswithinthehour,increasingthenumberofwanderingmonsters(thechanceofa randomencounteroccurringrisesto80%perhour).Theonlyfairlysafeplaceisindoors,andthat meansthePCsneedtoseekshelterinVallaki. Thetownisamedievalversionofaresortcommunity.ItisclosetoLakeZarovich,which isusedasaplaygroundfornoblesandmerchants.ThecentralarteryistheOldSvalichRoad, whichrunsstraightthroughVallaki.ThisroadcrossesthebreadthofBarovia,andVallaki merchantsusuallyaremorethanhappytocatertotravelers.TheGrandConjunctionhas frightenedthelocalsconsiderably,buttheywontreacttostrangersinthesamemanneras residentsoftheRavenloftBarovia. ThePCshaveenteredPrimeMaterialBaroviainautumn,somanyoftheresorthouses areunoccupied.Suchhousesarefurnished,yetdevoidoffood,firewood,orvaluablesofany sort.Ingameterms,thereisonlya20%chancethatanyresidenceisoccupiedby1d60level humans.However,theareaispatrolledbythetownguard.IfthePCsdecidetobreakintoan unoccupiedhouse,theresa60%chancethattheguardwilldiscoverthemeitherwhiletheyre entering,duringsomepointofthenight(rollonceforeachhour),orwhentheyemergeinthe morning.PCswhoarecaughttrespassingarearrestedbyacompanyof1d4+2guards.Ifthis happensatnight,thePCscanbribetheguardsfor50gpapiece,buttheyllhavetovacatethe premisesandgototheinn(theguardswillpointtheway).Otherwise,theyretakentothe villagelockupandhelduntilthenextday,whenthejusticeofthepeacewillheartheircase.(This isonewaytogetanightslodginginasafeplace.) Theguardsareunderstandablyagitatedandfrightenedbythesuddenriseinthemonster population.Theycontinuetoperformtheirdutiespatrollingthestreets,buttheylayaslowas possible,evenwithdrawingintotheshadowsatthesightofthePCsandallowingthemtopass by,fearingthemtobemonstersaswell.UnlessthePCsattempttobreakintoabuilding,the guardsavoidthem. Ontheotherhand,thetownguardwontstandforanysortoftroubleorresistancefrom thePCs.Theyllblowwhistlesatthefirstsignoftrouble,summoning1d4moreguardseach rounduntilall12townguardsondutyarrive. DuetotheGrandConjunctionandthesurgeofmonsters,thePCswillneedtoconvince everyonetoopentheirdoorstothemthelocalswillfeelcertainthattheyaremonstersuntil persuadedotherwise. Vallakiguards,3rdlevelfighters(16):Intavg(8);AC5(chainmail);MV9;hp20;THAC018;# AT1;Dmg1d8(longsword);SZM;ML12;MRnil;ALLG;XP35each. ElementsofHorror Threeelementsofhorrorareintroducedinthissectionthatexistprimarilyfordramatic effect:theghostofalittlegirl,threevampiresthatshadowtheparty,andahorriblelookingghoul atthewindow.

TheLittleGhost

WhenthepartyreachestheOldSvalichRoadandthefirsthousesofVallakicomeinto view,readthefollowing. //Youarriveinasleepytown.Althoughitsnotlate,theresnosignoflifeonthestreets. Asyouwalkpastafewclosedupbusinessesandshutteredhouses,thedirttrailyouve beenfollowingterminatesatapavedbrickroadthatservesasthemainstreetforthislarge village. Itseemtheplaceisdeserted,butjustasyoubegintothinkyourealone,youspy movementfromthecornerofyoureye.Apalelittlegirlpeeksatyoufromaroundthecornerofa nearbyhouseandthenpullsback,outofsight.// IfthePCsmovetothehousewheretheysawthegirl,theydontfindher.Thehouseitself isdeserted.Astheystandbythehouse,theyhearsomecreakingoverhead,asifsomeoneison theroof,butanyinvestigationturnsupnothing. Thelittlegirlisafirstmagnitudeghost(aharmlessspiritseeVanRichtensGuideto Ghostsformoreinformation)whowasoneofthefirstvictimsoftheGrandConjunction.Shewas murderedquitesuddenlyanddoesntknowwhatshehasbecome.SincethePCsarelargely responsiblefortheGrandConjunctionandthusherdeathshesdrawntothem,yetshe retainsmuchofherhumanshynessandnowhasaninstinctivefearoflivingcreatures.She continuestohauntthePCsfortherestoftheadventure.Ifapproached,shedisappearsaround cornersandevenintodeadendalleys,peekingatthemfromdarkcornerswhentheyleastexpect it.Sheshouldntappearateverysingleturn,butoftenenoughtokeepthePCswonderingwho sheis. Ghost(1stmagnitude):Intavg(8);ACnil;MV12,Fl18(A);HDnil;hpnil;THAC0nil;#AT0; Dmg0;SZS;ML2;ALCN;XPnil. ThisspecialghostdoesntresideintheEtherealPlanelikeotherincorporealspirits.The darkpowershavesnatchedherupandholdherhostageintheShadowPlane(inwhatsleftof Ravenloft),viatheBorderEthereal.PCswhocannormallyseeorstrikeetherealcreatureswont beabletodosowiththiscreature. Thelittleghosthastwofunctionsinthisadventure.ThefirstissimplytomakethePCs nervous.TheDMshouldlookforopportunitiestoworkherintotheactionwheneverits dramaticallyeffectivetodoso.Forexample,ifthePCsaresneakingalongadarkhallway, attemptingtoremainunseen,sheissuddenlystanding10feetbehindthem,gigglingattheir gameofhideandseek.Ifthepartyistryingtorestandrecoverspellsandhitpoints,sherustles inthebushesoraroundthecorner,slippingoutofsightafterthewholepartyrousesandcatches aglimpseofher.Herpresencewillbemosteffectiveifsheseemstobealittlelostgirlwhokeeps disappearingwheneverthePCsdrawnear. ThelittleghostssecondfunctionistohauntthePCswiththeconsequencesoftheir actions.SheisasymbolofthesufferingtheyhavecausedbyhelpingtocausetheGrand Conjunction.Herrecurringappearanceshouldserveasareminderthattheymustsetthings right.Astimepasses,sherotsaway,growingincreasinglygrotesque.Ifthepartyignoresher,she beginstocrysoftlyateachappearance,displayingahelplessnessandfearthatmakeshertragicto behold.Theplayerscanbeinstructedtomakehorrorchecksiftheyfailtorespondappropriately toherplight. IfthePCsattempttobefriendtheghost,shehesitatesasifshewantstorespond,butthen flees.Offeringcandy,toys,orotherobjectsthatwouldtemptalivingchildmayeventuallybring herclose,butherhandwillpassthroughwhateverisofferedandsendherscurryingthroughthe nearestwallwithapitifulwail.

TheShadowVampires Whenthepartyreachesanyintersectionalongtheroad,readthefollowing. //TheresasignatthisintersectionthatreadsVillageofBarovia,withahandpointing eastwhileanotherhandpointstheoppositeway,showingthedirectiontotheVillageofKrezk. AtopbothsignsisalargeplacardthatreadsVALLAKIinlargeblackletters.Whiteandblue ribbonsadornthepoleonwhichthesignsarehung. Asyoulookaround,ascreampiercesthenightair!// Thescreamissuesfromthesideroad,aroundacorner,andoutofsight.IfthePCsmove toinvestigate,theycomeuponatownguardlyingonthegroundwithtwofemalevampires(MC I/II)leaningoverhim.Histhroatistornandthemonstersaregreedilylappinguphisblood. OneofthevampireslooksupatthePCsandhissesangrily,herfacesmearedwiththeguards blood.UnlessthePCsareexperiencedvampirehunters,theymightmakefearandhorrorchecks uponseeingthisghastlysight. Thosewhomakesuccessfulchecksmaydeclareactionsandthenrollforinitiative.The vampiresimmediatelyseektoescape,havingsatedtheirhungerandnotwantingtobattle.They runtothenearestwallandusetheirinnatespiderclimbabilitiestomoveoutofrange.Iffurther pursued,theytakebatformandflyaway. Afterthisencounter(evenifthePCsdontseekthesourceofthescream),thevampires shadowthePCsaslongastheyareinVallaki.Asthecharactersmovedownthestreets,they shouldmakeperiodicWisdomchecks.Thosewhosucceedcatchglimpsesofthevampires leapingfromrooftoptorooftop,movinginandoutoftheshadowsbehindthebuildings,or glaringwithredeyesfromdeepdarkplaces.AsuccessfulIntelligencecheckforthosewho succeededwiththeWisdomcheckidentifiestheshadowsasthevampires,butthePCmustfirst announcethatheorshewantstoknowifthatisspecificallywhatitis;otherwise,itistoodarkto say.WheneverthePCsmovetoinvestigate,themonstersdisappearintothinair. ThesevampiresavoiddirectencounterswiththePCs.Theideaofincludingthemisto makethePCsconstantlyfeelasthoughtheymaybejumpedatanymoment.Thereshouldbeno realrest,noputtingthingsoffuntiltomorrow,nowaytosimplywalkawayfromthesituation theyreuptotheirnecksintheGrandConjunctionandtheyshouldknowit. TheGhoulattheWindow Ifandwhenthepartytakesshelterforthenight,theDMshouldrandomlydeterminethe timeofnightwhenwhoeverisawakenoticesahorriblydisfiguredghoul(MCI/II)staringat themthroughawindow.Ifthewindowsareallshuttered,tellthewakefulPCsthattheyhear somethingjustoutside;iftheypeekthroughtheshutter,theyllcomefacetofacewiththe monster,whogrinsatthem.Thispromptsafearandhorrorcheck. KeyLocations AsthePCsmovethroughtown,theynoticeafewbuildingswithlightpiercingthecracks oftightlyboltedshutters.Thesehomesareoccupiedbythe0levelhumansmentionedearlier. Theresidentswontopentheirdoorstothestrangers,buttheywilltellthePCswheretofindthe BlueWaterInn.Anyattemptatforcedentrybringsthetownguardrunning.

Asmentioned,muchofVallakisbusinessesandhomesarenormalandthereforelack individualdescriptions.TheDMshouldbepreparedforanyrandomencountersandtomanage anyinteractionwiththelocalsaspreviouslydescribed. 1.NikolaisStables //ThesizeofthepenbehindthisbuildingindicatesthatNikolaisStables(asthesignon thebarnidentifiesit)doesquiteabitofbusiness.However,thefenceisbrokeninseveralplaces andthereisnosignoflivestockorpersonsonthepremises.// Theresplentyofroomfortheentirepartyanditshorsesinsidethebarn,andthedoor canbeboltedshutwithacrossbar. 2.VallakiFountain //Youseeafountaindominatingthesmallsquareofthevillage.Inthecenterofthe fountainisastatueofamanwhosedressindicateshewasanexplorer. Thewellofthefountainislitteredwithsilvercoins.Thewaterisclearandstreamsout fromholesinthestatuespedestal.// IfthePCstakeanyofthecoinsfromthefountain,thewaterbubblesandfroths,sending upamistaroundthestatue,whichanimatesandattacks.Thisisaminorconjunctiontreatthe statueasastonegolem(MCI/II). 3.AreseksWares //Thislargestockyardissurroundedbyeightwarehouses.Asignoverthefrontgate identifiesthepropertyasAreseksWares.Thepensareemptyarecentbreakinthefence appearstohaveprovidedescapeforanyanimalsthatmighthavebeenhere.Thewarehousesof Aresek,however,arefullofgoodsfromalloverBaroviaandbeyond;alookthroughthewindow ofanybuildingrevealsallmannerofgoods.Itwouldseemthisplacesthrivesonsellingunusual objectsanditemsfromfarregions.// Thesebuildingsarelockedtight.Athiefmustmakeasuccessfulpicklocksrollwitha 20%penaltytoopenthedoorofanyoneofthem.Attemptingtoenterthesewarehousesresults inan80%chanceofdrawingtheguard.Thosewhosuccessfullybreakandenterfindanyitem fromtheequipmentsectionofthePlayersHandbook.Therearenomagicalitems,andtheDM maylimittheavailabilityofanyitem.

4.VallakiChurch //Thisisobviouslyachurch,butthebuildingisinsuchastateofdisrepairthatits impossibletosaywhatgoditwasdedicatedto.Theroofhaspartiallycavedin,thestainedglass windowsaremostlybrokenandboardedup,andweedsclogtheentiregrounds.Itwouldseem that,despiteitslocation,thechapelhasbeenabandonedforatleasthalfacentury.//

Thebuildingappearstobeabandoned,butifthePCsenterit,anoldpriestnamedLucian sitsuponapewnearthealtarandgreetsthem.Welcome,children,hecrieswithsleepinhis voice.DoyouseektheblessingsofAndral? Andralisagodoflightandlife,alawfulgoodgod,butdetectionspellsrevealnothing exceptlawfulalignmentinthepriest(therulesoftheRAVENLOFTcampaignrealmapply). Lucianindeedappearstobeakindlyman,ifabitforgetful,andheinvitesthePCstotakeshelter inthechurchforthenight.Monstersarerepelledbythealignmentofthebuilding,sothePCs cangetagoodnightssleephere,butthehorribleghoulcanstillstarethroughthewindows, potentiallydisruptingthecharactersrest.Thelittleghostisofneutralalignmentandnot repelledbythechurch,soshecanappear. Luciandoesntmaintainthegroundsoutsideofthechurchsincethedayitwas abandonedbythevillage50yearsago.Lucianwasayoungacolyteatthetime,whenthesenior priestesshadavisionofthecomingofanultimateevilthatwilldestroytheland.Thepeople promptlyabandonedthechurch,rejectingtheideaofdoominfavoroflessthreateningfaiths. Lucianexplainsthatthepriestessdiedmanyyearsago,stonedbyunknownassailants,andthe churchfellintodisrepair.Lucianistheonlyremainingmembernow,andthevillagesuffershim toliveonthegroundsmostlyoutofasenseofshameforthemurderofthepriestess. IfthePCsattempttodiscusstheirsituationwithLucian,hetellsthemasmuchashecan, butheisasimplemanoftheclothandknowslittleoftheGrandConjunction,eventhoughhis ownsuperiorpredictedit.Heagreesthatsomethingquiteoddisgoingonwithalltheundead wanderingaboutandthatthecemeteryinparticularhasbeencrawlingwithmonsters,buthe showsnosenseofvindicationthatonemightexpectfromsomeonewhosefaithhasbeenproved wellfoundedafter50years.LucianrecommendsthatthePCsseektheadviceofQueenKristiana, forsheisahighpriestessofgreatpowerandknowledge. Lucian,4thlevelcleric:Intavg(8);AC10;MV6;hp24;THAC018;#AT1;Dmg1d4;SAspells;SD none;SZM;ML10;MRnil;ALLG;XP200. Luciansspells(3/2):Bless,curelightwounds(x2);auraofcomfort,nap. Lucianishappytocasthisspellsforthebenefitoftheparty,andhewontaskforpayment,buthe willbemostgratefulifthePCsrewardhiminanywayforhishospitality. 4A.TheCemetery Thisgraveyardcontainsabout100gravesanda20footby30footcrypt.Observersfind nothingremarkableabouttheentiregrounds. ThecryptisactuallytheentrancetoAzalinslair,buttheadventurersarentexpectedto exploreitatthistime.Eveniftheydo,theywontdetectthelairbeyondthewallwithoutthehelp ofthephylactery(seetheAzalinsCryptLairencountersection,level1,area8). //Thecemeterynexttothechurchshowsbettercarethanthechurchitself.Itlookslike thevillagersstillusetheareatoburytheirdead,eveniftheydontemploytheservicesofthe church. Severalofthegravesappeartohavebeenhaphazardlyduguprecentlyor,rather,dug outof.Infact,asyoulookoverthefieldofmoundsandtombstones,thegroundbucklesata nearbygraveandawitheredhandbreachesthesurface.Blueandtornfromitslaborstounearth itself,thehandscratchesatthedirtaroundituntilasecondhandbreaksthroughandjoinsinthe effort.//

ThesheerevilunleashedbytheGrandConjunction(tosaynothingofthelichliving below)hasspontaneouslyanimatednumerousbodiesinthisgraveyard.AStrahdzombie (RAVENLOFTboxedset)digsitswayoutofitsrestingplaceandwillbefreeofthegroundin tworounds.Anywhoviewthisspectaclearesubjecttofearandhorrorchecks.Thenthe presenceofthePCsdraws2d8moreStrahdzombiesfromtheirgraves.Aftertworoundsof battle,2d8moreStrahdzombiesemerge.Continuewiththisuntil100zombieshavejoinedthe battleoruntilthePCsevacuatethecemetery,atwhichtimetheyneedonlydefeatthezombies thatarealreadypresent.IfAzalinsphylacteryiswithin200feet,thenthezombiessaveasliches, buttheydonthavethegazeattackaffordedtolichsummonedminions. Thelittleghostgirlcanmakeanappearancehere,dartingfromtombstonetotombstone, laughinggleefully.IfthePCsattempttoenterthemausoleum,shescreamsinterrorand dissolvesintothinairassherunsaway.AttheDMsoption,horrorcheckscanbemadein responsetothebonechillingscream. 5.ResidentialDistrict //Asyouwalkdownthisstreet,youcanseethesehousesareoccupied.Theymustbe thepermanenthomesofthecitizensofVallaki.Eachhouseisrichlydecoratedandverywell constructedandmaintained.Thepeoplewholiveinthisdistrictmustbefairlycomfortable.// Theinhabitantsofthisareahavealllockedthemselvesintheirhomesandrefuseentrance toeveryone.Alongthisstreet,theresa90%chanceofattractingthevillageguardifthePCs attempttoforcetheirwayintoanyhouse. 6.VillageHall //ThisonestorybuildingismarkedVillageHall.Unliketherestofthestructuresin Vallaki,thisoneisconstructedofstoneandthickwoodenbeamsthatsuggestasecurejail within.// Thefronthalfofthis30footby60footbuildingcontainsofficespaceandalargedesk wherethejusticeofthepeacehearscases.Therearsectioncontainstworowsofthree10footby 10foothailcellswithawideaisledownthemiddle.Thecellsaredividedbyironbars,and theresabarredwindowontheouterwallofeach.Thelocksareheavyduty,requiringapick locksrollwitha30%penaltytoopenthem.(Ofcourse,arrestedPCroguesarerelievedoftheir tools.)Eachcellholdstwoprisoners.IfthePCsarearrestedandbroughthereforthenight,two guardsremainondutyinthefrontareaforhalfthenight,andthentheyarerelievedofdutyby anotherpairofguards. OneofthecellsactuallyholdsaStrahdzombie(RAVENLOFTboxedset)amanwho diedtwodaysagoandreanimatedwhilehewasstillattheundertakers.Notunderstanding whatheis,theguardshavearrestedhimforattackingoneofthelocalsandhavethrownhimin jail.Theyattemptedtobringhimbeforehejusticeofthepeaceyesterday,buthemerelyattacked anyonewhocamenearhim,sotheyhaveelectedtoleavehiminhiscelluntilhecomestohis senses.Notinghispallor,theyhaveassumedthathehasingestedsomethingthathasmadehim sickandsubsequentlydelirious.Thedoctorhasdisappeared,sotheyhadnochoicebuttolock himupuntilthedoctorcanbefoundoruntilhecomesaround.Theyhavenoideaofthe zombiestruenature. TheDMshouldhavesomeofthePCslockedinanadjoiningcelliftheyarearrested.The zombiethrowsitselfagainstthebarsofitscageallnight,attemptingtoreachthewarmblooded

creaturesnearby.Thiscausesseveredeformityoveraperiodofseveralhours.Iftheguardsare alertedtothezombiebythePCsbeforeithasbruiseditselftothepointofbeingundeniably identifiedforwhatitis,theguardsscoffatthePCs.Whenthezombiebecomessufficiently disfigured,theguardsaskthePCstokillitforthem(thisisntwhattheyjoinedtheforcefor!).In return,theypromisetospeakonthePCsbehalfwhenthejusticeofthepeacecomesin. InthemorningthePCsarearraignedbeforethejusticeofthepeace,LarsKjurls,alsothe burgomeisterofVallaki.Hispositionisanhonoraryone,forthetownisrunbyavillageboard. Kjurlssdutiesarelargelyceremonialinnature,buthedoesactasheadoftheguard. LarsKjurls(6thlevelhumanrogue):Intlow(7);AC8(Dexbonus);MV12;hp28;THAC018;#AT 1(dagger);Dmg1d4;SZM;ML6;MRnil;ALLG;XP270. IfthePCsarebroughtbeforeKjurls,heactsinanextremelyofficiousmatter(afterall,he doesntgettoplaythisroleveryoften).HeaskstheguardtostatethechargesagainstthePCs, andtheguardtostatethechargesagainstthePCs,andtheguardsomewhatclumsilyattemptsto copyKjurlssbombasticstyle.Theeffectshouldbethatofbeinghauledintocourtinaonehorse town.Kjurlsisntmalicious.HequestionsthePCsabouttheirallegedcrimesandabouttheir involvementinallthetroublethatsbrokenoutlately. IfthePCshavebrokenintoahouse,Kjurlsfinesthem50gpapiece,lecturesaboutlaw andorder,andthengraciouslyinvitesthemtovisittheBlueWaterInn(thisis,afterall,atourist town).PaymentfordamagesmayalsobeassessedattheDMsoptions.IfthePCshelped eliminatethezombieinthejailcell,theguardsexplainasmuchtoKjurlsandaskhimtoletthe PCsoffeasyfortheirhelp.Kjurlslowersthefineto25gpforthisservice. KjurlsknowsnothingoftheGrandConjunction.IfthePCsbegintotalkofsuchserious matters,hesuggeststhattheyreporttotheKing,upatCastleRavenloft.Whenallbusinessis concluded,headjournsthehearingandinvitesthePCstohaveadrinkwithhimandtheguards attheBlueWaterInn,instantlyforgettingalltransgressions.KjurlstalksofVallakiwiththe enthusiasmofatouristguide,andhewontenterintoserioustopicsasarule.Thecurrent troublewiththeundeadisapassingphase,heissure,andVallakiremainstheidealspotto relaxandenjoylife.

7.VillagePark //Thisareawithtalltreesandasmall,brickpavedcourtinthemiddleofitprovidesa restfulvillageparkoritdidbeforetheGrandConjunctionclaimedtheland.Nowthetreesare packedwithbatsthatsqueakandflutterinatremendoustumult.// Thetreesareoccupiedby200commonbats,30giantbats,10mobats(MCI/II,all)and 10skeletalbats(MCRL).IfthePCsentertheparkordisturbthebatsinanyway,theyfloodthe airandswarmthroughtheparty.EachPCisattackedby1d20+10commonbatsineachofthe nextthreerounds.Afterthat,theyflyaway.Thegiantbatsattackinthesecondround,the mobatsattackinthethirdround,andtheskeletalbatsentercombatinthefourthround.All largerbatsandmonstersfightuntilkilled. 8.KierkalsSmithy //Throughthecracksofshutteredwindowsonthissootcoveredestablishmentyoucan spyalargeforgeandbellows,aswellasanassortmentoftoolshangingfromtheceiling.//

Thedoortothisbuildinghasanextraheavylockofcastirononit,requiringapicklocks rollwitha15%penaltytoopenit.Intheoffseason,Kierkalclosesupshopandworksforthe smithinthevillageofBarovia.Nowitstherestingplaceofthevampiresthathavebeen shadowingtheparty.IfthePCsbreakin,thevampiresemergefromtheshadowsandattack. 9.BlueWaterInn Thisisaverylarge,twostorybuilding.Thesignhangingoverthestreetisawaterfall coloreddeepbluewithwhitemistbillowingatthefallstermination. ThePCsmustknockatthedoorandconvincetheinnkeeperthattheymeannoharm beforethedoorisopenedtothem.TheDMshouldtreatthePCswithasmuchsuspicionas possible,seekingtotwistanythingtheysayintoahostileexpression.Eventually,ifthe adventurersarepersistent,thedoorwillopentothem.Inside,theinnkeeperignoresthePCsand servesdinnertothreetravelerswhoare0levelmerchants.Theykeeptothemselvesandgoto theirroomsassoonastheyredoneeating. ThePCscangetaroomthatholdsfourpeoplefor10sporaroomthatholdssixfor15sp. Dinnercoldbeefandatankardofalecosts5sp.UsethePHBtodeterminethecostofother drinks,whichthebarhasingoodsupply. IfthePCscomehereduringthedaywithKjurls,hebuysthefirstround(orderingthe innkeepertoservethemforfree).Thereareahalfdozenpatronsinthebarduringtheday.They areall0levelhumanswholiveinthevillage.Theytellhorrorstoriesabouttheeventsofthelast dayorso,andtheyllofferthePCsupto10gpperheroperdaytostayandprotectthetown. Kjurlswillupthebidto15gp.

CastleRavenloftStrahdhas,bythistime,devisedhisplottokillKingBarovandsituponthethroneof Barovia(seetheIntroduction).However,sinceheandthePCshavealreadycrossedswords, StrahdwantsthepartytomeettherealBarovandbeconvincedthekingisntStrahd.Thenthe vampirelordplanstokillBarovandstepintohisplacewhilethePCsareretrievingtheHoly Symbol(andtheIconifappropriate).OncethePCshavefetchedtheitemandturneditoverto Strahdslawfulgoodwife,QueenKristiana,hewilldisposeofboththePCsandtheholyrelics. Thetriptothecastletakesmostofthedaybyfootorfourtofivehoursonhorseback. Thereisa50%chanceforaminorconjunctionforeveryhourthecharactersareontheroad,but theyreceiveanequalchancetoavoidanencounterbyhiding.Iftheyelecttomaketheirwayto thecastlebyoffroadpath,traveltimeisdoubled,butthechancetoavoidanencounterrisesto 90%. Alongtheway,thepartyisshadowedbydirewolves(MCI/II).TheseareStrahdsspies, whohavebeensenttokeepaneyeonthePCs.Theydontattack,however,unlessanyone wandersmorethan100feetawayfromtherestofthegroup.Atthatpoint1d6direwolvesmove inandattack.IfanyofthewolvessustainsahitfromaPCs,orifanyothermemberoftheparty comestotherescue,thewolvesmakeagroupmoralecheck(10)everyround.Whentherollfails, theyflee,howlingandyelpingfranticallyalltheway. Dontforgetthelittleghostgirlthatfollowsthegroup.Sheslookingabithaggardasthe GrandConjunctiongainsmomentum.Bagsappearunderhereyes,herhairismussed,andher dresshangslooselyonher.ShewontfollowthePCsintoCastleRavenloft,butwillinsteadwait outsideforthemtoemerge. IfthePCsfollowtheroad,readthefollowing: //Theroadgainsaltitudeasyouheadeast,andtheoakforestgraduallygiveswaytotall darkpines.Theroadismuddywithblackpuddlesthatyieldnoreflections.Tendrilsofmistlace thegroundasiftheywouldwraparoundyourlegsandhaulyoudown.// IfthePCstakeanoffroadroute: //Thegoingisslowthroughthewoods,buttheyprovidecoveragainstthemonstersthat walktheland.Ontheotherhand,thereareoccasionalmysterioussnapsandothernoisesin theshadowssurroundingyou.Whatthesourcesofthenoisesare,andwhethertheyhearyou,is hardtosay.// ThecloudscomedowntomeetthePCsastheygainaltitude,envelopingtheminmist.If thePCstookaforestroute,bringthembacktotheroadatSvalichPass(seetheareamap). Explainthattheterrainisbecomingextremelydifficulttomovethrough.Tellthemthattheir movementratehasbeenreducedto1,thenletthemcomeupontheroad.Consideringthethick cloudcover,theroadisalmostasgoodaplacetohideasany. TheGatesofBarovia //Apairofgiantfiguresstandsilentlyinthefogahead.Theyaretwoguardiansof stone,carvedinnearperfectdetail,withfullarmorandmassivewarhammers.Thestatuesflank ablackirongatethatbarstheroad.Theguardiansseemtoscrutinizeyourgroupasit approaches,asiftheywouldstopyoufromentering.Thewoodsaroundthemseemas impenetrableasthemetalbarsofthegate.//

IfthePCapproachwithin50feet,thegatesopenquietlyandsmoothlyforthem.After theypassthrough,thegatesslamfirmlyshutanddonotreopen.BeforetheGrandConjunction, thegateswereimbuedwithapermanentdetectalignmentspell,amongothermagicks.Aslongas anycreatureapproachingthemwasntevil,theyopened,nomatterwhichwaythepeoplewere traveling.Now,Strahdsevilinfluenceisuponthegates.Theyallowentranceandexitonlyto thosewhomStrahddesirestopassthroughthegates.Itsstillpossibletocutthroughthewoods togetaroundthegatestheiroperationismerelyamanifestationofStrahdsreturn. Thestoneguardiansarejuststatues. TheBlackCarriage Beyondthegates,thePCscomeuponaforkintheroad.Theleftleadstothecastlewhile therightleadstothevillageofBarovia.IfthePCscontinuetothevillage,theyfinditlargely desertedandoverrunbyundead.Theonlypeopleleftarelockedbehinddoorsandmadwith fear.TheDMshouldcontinuetorollforminorconjunctionsuntilthePCsmoveon. Alsoattheforkoftheroad,thePCsfindStrahdspersonalcarriage.Thismayalarm somecharacters,butStrahdisactuallyattemptingtobeaccommodating. //Alarge,richcarriagestandsunattendedhere.Rippling,inkblackstallionsbobtheir headsandpawatthestonesbeneaththeirhoovesasiftheywouldgallopoffwithalltheirspeed, butthecarriageremainsstill.Thedriverisnowhereinsight.// IfthePCsclimbintothecarriage,thehorsestakethemuptothecastleatathunderous pace.ThehorsesarecompletelyunderStrahdscontrol,sotheyignoreanyonewhotriestotake thereins.Ifacharacterattemptstoleapfromthecarriage,heorshemustsavevs.paralysisor suffer3d6pointsoffallingdamage. TheApproachtotheCastle ThepartycomessuddenlyuponCastleRavenloftinthemists.Someadjustmentsmaybe necessaryinthefollowingforgamerswhohaventplayedFromtheShadowsorwhohavent otherwisevisitedStrahdscastle. //Youremovingupwardalongasteepandwindingroad,intoevenheavierclouds.The terrainhasturnedstonyandthegrounddropsoffsharplyintothemistsononesideoftheroad. Hugeshapespassintoviewforbriefmomentsbeforedisappearingbehindtheswirlingfog aroundyou,makingitimpossibletoidentifythem. Then,theroadswingssharplyaroundacraggyclifffaceandsomethinghugeandblack loomsintheheavyfogaheadofyou,stretchingupoutofsight.Asthewet,chillywindblowsthe mistsaroundyou,thecloudsbrieflythinbetweenyouandthedarkmonstrosity.Thenyou realizewhatyousee:CastleRavenloft. Attheendoftheroadyoufindtwinguardhousesofturretedstone.Brighttorchesrestin sconcesontheirwalls,illuminatingthearea.Beyondtheguardhouses,a50footwidechasm separatesyoufromthecastle.Thedrawbridgeliestightagainstthewall,closedagainstintruders. Twoguardsemergefromeachhouseandstandreadytodefendtheirposts.Whogoes there?criesoneofthem.//

IfthePCsrodeupinStrahdscarriage,theyremetbytheguardswithstrongsuspicion. Thisisthefirsttimetheyveseenthedriverlessvehicle,andtheyregardthestrangeoccurrence withalarm.Theycantunderstandwhatshappenedtotheirlandinthelastdayorso. Thepersonincharge,LieutenantValdar,isaveryseriousmanwhoquestionsthePCsat length.Iftheyaresecretive,Valdardistruststhemandrefusestoevenpetitionfortheirentrance tothecastle.Ontheotherhand,ifthePCsareforthcomingandtellhimaboutwhattheyhave beenthrough,hegrowsincredulousandquestionsthemskeptically.IfthePCsrequesttoseethe kingorqueen,Valdarinterrogatesthemabouttheirbusinesswiththem.Anymentionof MadameYvonnaismetwithasneerandmoresuspicion.Inshort,Valdarapparentlydoesntlike thelookofthePCsandhesnotinterestedinlettingthemin. //Whateversbeengoingon,saysValdar,youareobviouslyrightinthemiddleofit. Ifyouregoodfolk,thenyoullunderstandwhyImustassumeyoureexactlytheoppositeand respectmyeffortstoprotectthecastle. Thecaptainwillbeheresoonwiththechangeoftheguard.Ifyoullwaitpatiently,then hemayhearofyourpleaandallowyouintothecastle.// ThePCsareliabletoreactinoneofthreeways:patiently,impatiently,orwithtrickery. PatientPlayerCharacters IfthePCsagreetowaitandshownosignofhostilityortrickery,thenValdarcontinues: //Wait,worthytravelers.Iamconvincedofyourgoodwill.Valdarpointstoacrystal inthepommelofhissword.ThisgemtellsmeifacreaturebegoodorevilwhenImeetit,butit hasfailedmeduringtheseblackdays.Therefore,Iamforcedtotestandjudgewithmyeyes. Yourpardon,Ipray! Thelieutenantturnstothecastlewallandcriesout,Throwopenthedrawbridge. SeveralvoicesechoValdarscrybeforeyouhearathunderousclankbehindthecastle walls.Thenthedoorswingsoutwithatremendousclamorofheavychainsandbridgesthegap betweenyouandthecastle.// ImpatientPlayerCharacters AnattackfromthePCssendsupthealarmfromtheguardhighinthewallofthecastle aswellasfromValdarandhismen.Thelieutenantandhisguardsattempttoholdoffthe offenderswhileadozenarchersreachtheirpositionsonthebattlementsin1d3rounds.PCswho trytoflyacrossthechasmareinterceptedbytwoairelementals(MCI/II).Ifthishappens,the DMshouldskiptotheSneakyPlayerCharacterssection,below. Guards,5thlevelfighters(3):Intavg(8);AC4(chainandshield);MV9;hp45;THAC016;#AT1; Dmg1d8(longsword);SZM;ML12;MRnil;ALLG;XP300each. LieutenantValdar,7thlevelfighter:Intvery(11);AC4(placeandchain);MV9;hp62;THAC014; #AT1;Dmg1d10(twohandedsword);SZM;ML13;MRnil;ALLG;XP675. Valdarsswordcontainsageminthepommelthatcontainsthespellknowalignment (usablethreetimesperday).

Archers,5thlevelfighters(12):Intavg(8);AC5(chain);MV9;hp45;THAC013(withlongbow); #AT2/1;Dmg1d8(sheafarrows);SZM;ML11;MRnil;ALLG;XP300each. Fiveroundsafterthearchersarrive,awhiterobedfigureappearsatthebattlements: //Ceasefire,allofyou!Wemustnotclawoutourownthroats!Thevoiceisclear, strong,andsincere.Adarkhairedwomaninwhiterobeslooksdownatyouandopensherarms inagestureofpeace.// ThefigureisQueenKristiana,whohasbeentoldbyhergodstoexpecttheparty.She callseachcharacterbynameandsalutesthempersonally.(Forinstance,Haldir,goodwarrior. Esmerelda,myworthyspellcaster,etc.) //Youarethekeepersofthehouseofevil,thewardsoftheprophecy,areyounot?she asks,notexpectingananswer.Thegodstoldmeyouwouldknockloudlyuponmydoor,butI didntexpectyouwoulddosowithyourswords.Sheraiseshervoiceforalltohear.Lowerthe drawbridgebyorderofthequeen!Bringinthewounded! Severalvoicesechothequeensorderbeforeyouhearathunderousclankbehindthe castlewalls.Thenthedoorswingsdownwithatremendousclamorofheavychains.// Thearcherswithdrawandseveralyoungclericsrushouttotendthedyingandcarrythe woundedinsidethecastlewheretheywillbetreated,includinginjuredPCs. SneakyPlayerCharacters IfthePCsleavetheareaandtrytotraversethe300footdeepchasmbystealth,theyfind itguardedbytwoairelementals(MCI/II).Theyweregeasedbyanevilwizardtoperform1,001 yearsofserviceonthePrimeMa