RootsofEvil

AnOfficialRavenloftGameAdventure 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

Introduction
OnceagaintheMistsofRavenlofthaveparted,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.

JumpStart
ThisencounterisprovidedforadventuringpartieswhohavenotplayedFromthe 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.//

ContinuingtheAdventure
ThisisthepickuppointforthoseadventuringpartiesthathaveplayedFromtheShadows. 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!//

MadameYvonna
Thepartyisquiteprobablyonitslastlegbythistime.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.

Vallaki
VallakiisashorthikefromthespotwherethePCsencounteredtheVistani.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.

CastleRavenloft
Strahdhas,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 yearsofserviceonthePrimeMaterialPlane,buthemomentarilylostcontrolofthemandthey killedhim.Theeffectsofthegeasremainuponthem,however,sotheyserveKristiana, recognizingabenevolentmasterwhentheyseeone.Theyremainwithin50feetofthecastleatall timesandattackanyonewhodoesntcrossthechasmviathedrawbridge. Threeroundsafterbattlewiththeelementalsbreaksout,readthefollowing. //Cimbilis,Arius,withdraw!criesaclear,strong,femalevoicefromthecastlewall. Theattacksfromtheaircreaturesceaseinstantly. Iknewitwouldrequiredeterminationtofulfilltheprophecy,saysadarkhaired womanfromabove,butImstilltakenabackbyyourtenacity,braveadventurers.// Again,thefigureisQueenKristiana,whohasbeenexpectingtheparty.ShecallseachPC bynameandsalutesthempersonally. //Pleasecomeup.Wehavemuchtodiscuss.Lowerthedrawbridgebyorderofthe queen! Severalvoicesechothequeensorderbeforeyouhearathunderousclankbehindthe castlewalls.Thenthedoorswingsdownwithatremendousclamorofheavychains.// CastleRavenloft ReadthefollowingasthePCsenterthecastlegrounds.

//Althoughtheskiesabovearelostinableachoffogthatreachesdownandcurlsalong thedampground,thecourtyardwithintheouterwallisbrightwithflowers,andlushivyclothes thewallsofthecastleproper.Thecarriagepathcirclesaroundalargefountaininthecenterof theyard,leadingtothemassive,archedentrywayoftheinnerkeep. Hugedoubledoors,toolargeforonepersontomove,areornatelycarvedanddecorated withgold.Opennow,theyrevealthat20feetbeyondthethresholdisanother,smallerpairof doors,andtheyareclosed.Abovethem,fourstatuesofdragonsgazedownuponyou.Valdar leadsyouthroughthosedoorsandunderthedragons.// TheareasshownaretheonlyonesthatthePCsareexpectedtoseeduringthisadventure (seethemapofthecastleforallareareferencesinthisencountersection).Intheeventthatthe partystraysintootherpartsofthecastle,theDMwillneedtogenerateagenericfloorplanand steerthepartybacktothelowerlevels.(Inthefallof1993,theadventuremoduleHouseofStrahd willbereleased,providingcompletefloorplansofCastleRavenloft.) AlthoughPrimeMaterialBaroviahasfallenundertheshadowoftheGrandConjunction, CastleRavenloftisnowruledbythelawfullygoodKingBarovvonZarovichVIandhislike alignedQueenKristiana.EventhoughStrahdlurksbelowinhissecretsanctum,evilhasyetto foulthecastle.Ifspontaneousdescriptionsarerequested,theDMshoulddescribeeverypartof thekeepasrich,elegant,andclean. ThePCsareescortedtotheaudiencehallbyValdar,wholeadsthemacrossthecourtyard (Area1),throughtheentry(Area2),upthegrandstaircase(Area3),andintotheaudiencehall (Area4).IftheplayershaveexperiencedtheadventureinFromtheShadows,theyclearlyrecognize themainfloorofthecastleandshouldidentifythebrassdoorsattheeastendoftheentryhallas thoseleadingtothechapel.Telltheplayersthatthecastleappearstohaveallthefreshnessand majestyofthecastletheyvisited350yearsago,buttheedificeseemstohaveagedabit. Therearemanyservants,guards,courtiers,andotherNPCsgoingabouttheirbusiness throughoutthecastle.Theyareabittenseaboutthestrangehappenings,buttheyreusedtoall manneroftravelersatthecourt,andtheyarentupsetbythePCs. //Youenteramassiveentryroomandseeexquisitefrescoesonthedomedceiling,litby flaringtorchesinironsconcesonfatmarblecolumns.Aheadofyou,downawidehallway,lie twoheavybronzedoors.Anotherrichlyappointedroomliestoyourright. Totheleftisawidesetofsteps,andValdarleadsyouupthesetoawidelandingwhere animpressivefrescoreachestothehighceiling.Itdepictsamountainbeingassaultedbyforces onhorseback.Interestingly,theresanonhumanstandingatthebaseofthemountainwatching theproceedingsahumanoidwiththeheadofajackal.Perhapsitsasymbolofwar. Fromthelanding,thestepsbreakintotwinstaircasesclimbingoppositewalls,back towardthecenterofthecastle.Valdarcontinuestothetopandescortsyouintothehallof audiences.// TheRoyalAudience Thehallofaudiences(Area4)isalarge,richlydecorated,andwelllitroom.ThePCsare ledtoapoint30feetfromtheroyaldais,whichis20feetby20feetby1footinsize. InthethroneontherightsitsKingBarov.Heisabout50yearsofageand,asmentioned earlier,helooksmuchlikeStrahd.Somegrayhairathistemples,afewmorewrinkles,anda ruddycomplexionaretheonlyphysicaldifferencesbetweenthetwomen.Hisexpressionis benevolent,thoughsad.

Thekingwearsalavishroyalbluecape,embroideredwithwhiteandlightblueedges, overabluevelvettunic.Healsowearsasilvermedallionwithalargebluetopazsetintoit(worth 1,000gp)andseveralsilverringsonhishands(worthanadditional800gp).Noneofhisjewelry ismagical.Finally,Barovwearsasilvercrownwithsapphiresandgoldaccents,whichmatches thescepterheholds. Hisdemeanoristhoroughlyroyal.Hehasrisentothelevelofthemostrespected warriorsthroughconstanttrainingandthefavorofthegods,butnowheseldomputsonarmor, evenforceremonialpurposes.Barovvaluespeacebeyondallprize,sohecommandshisgenerals tofighthisbattleswhilehenegotiateswiththerepresentativesofhisadversaries.Thisisnttosay thatheiscowardly,asanyoneofsufficientstatustochallengehimincombatmightlearn. BarovmarriedKristianabecausehewantedtocementarelationshipbetweenchurchand state,buthedevoutlyloveshiswifetoo.Littledoeshesuspectthehistoricallinkbetweenthem or,rather,thepeoplewhomtheysocloselyresemble. KingBarovvonZarovichVI,15thlevelfighter:Intexceptional(15);AC9;MV12;hp86;THAC06; #AT2;Dmgperweapon;SZM;ML16;MRnil;ALLG;XP5,000. InthethroneontheleftsitsQueenKristiana.Sheappearstobeabout25to30yearsof age,butsheisactually40.Shedressesinpurewhiterobesthatbillowaboutherasshemoves. ThequeenisareincarnationofStrahdslostlove,theravenhairedTatyana,butsheisunawareof theresemblance. Kristianaisnotonlythequeen,butthehighpriestessofRavenloftaswell.Inalawful goodsociety,thisworksratherwell.Shesawiseleaderwhoisstrongerofwillthanherhusband; whilehepreferstosimplyheadthestate,sheconstantlyseeksimprovementinthestandardoflife forallhersubjects.HerstatsarelistedintheNPCsummary(p.6). Standingtothekingsrightisawizardress,about70yearsofage,namedAnebroun.She hasservedBarovashispersonalmagicusersincehewasayoungprince,andshehasbeenhis principalteacher.Shegavehimahealthyrespectforpowerandtheabilitytowieldit,too. However,shetriestoremaininthebackgroundofhisaffairs.Carefulnottocontradictthewill andedictsofthequeen,shespeaksonlywhenspokentoandsavesmostofherthoughtsfor privateconsultationswithhersovereign. AnebrounhasasecretagendathatmakesheramajorNPC.Shesgrowingold,buther ambitiontoacquiremoremagichasntfadedwithage.Therefore,shehasquietlybeenseeking thesecretsofbecomingalich.AnydiscussionofAzalinfascinatesher,andthesightoftheskull itselfisenoughtomakeherturnagainstKingBarovandstealitonthespot.Anebrounsstatsare intheNPCsummary. ThefollowerpriestsofKristiana,namedLynrichandThomurray,remainperpetually awestruckbytheirqueen.Theyperceiveherasthenearestthingtoperfectioninamortal,and theironlyhopeistoremainbyhersideforlife.Whatshethinks,theythink.Whatshesays,they holdasliteralTruth.Whereshegoes,theyblindlyfollow.Theyappeartobeabout80yearsold. TheirstatsarelistedintheNPCsummary. Theremainingpeopleintheroomconsistof12eliteguards. Eliteguards,8thlevelfighters(12):Intavg(9);AC2;MV6;hp65;THAC013;#AT1;Dmg1d8; ML15;MRnil;ALLG;XP700each. //Thekingandqueensit,rightandleftrespectivelyasyoufacethem,onthronesatopa dais.Aneliteguarddressedinshiningplatearmorstandsateachcorneroftheplatform.They holdblueandwhiteshieldsandcarrygleamingceremoniallongswords.Eightmorelikeattired guardsarestationedevenlyaroundtheroom,nearthewalls.

Tothekingsleftanelderlywomanindarkgreenandburgundyrobesleansuponastaff ofburnishedmetal.Ashinycircletrestsonherbrow,andherlongirongrayhairisbraidedwith smallmetaltrinkets. Tothequeensrightstandtwooldmeninplainwhiterobes.Eachcarriesaholysymbol ofshiningsilveronabraidedropethatalsoservesasabelt. Asyouapproachthedais,thekingrisestogreetyou.Muchtoyouralarm,KingBarov appearstobethemonsterwhoattackedyouwhenyoufirstarrivedhereinBaroviaStrahdvon Zarovich!// Obviously,hostilitytowardthekingorqueenismetwithimmediateandstrongreaction fromtheguard.IfsuchisthePCsreactiontoBarovsappearance,assumethatthepartystands witha180footdiameterantimagicshell,createdforjustsuchanemergencybyAnebroun.Then floodtheroomwithanadditional1d4+3guardsperrounduntilthePCsarecompletely outnumbered. Meanwhile,thekingrisesandshouts: //Raisingyourweaponsagainsttheking?Wearenotyourenemy!Weareeachothers onlyhope!shoutsBarovinrage. Guardsfloodintotheaudiencechamber,andcriesofTreason!andTotheking!echo throughoutthecastle.Uponthedais,therobedwomanproducesawandandwavesitina castingpatternthetipleavesatrailofflamebehindit,formingasmallsphereoffirehovering intheairbeforeit. CryTruceandIllnothaveyouexecutedonthespot!commandstheking.// IfthePCsresist,theyareringedinandattackedbyupto100castleguards.Allthewhile thekingandqueencallforahalttothehostilities.Anebrounkeepsherwandreadytoparalyze anyonewhobreaksfromthefrayandattackstheking. TheDMshouldimpressupontheplayerstherelativehopelessnessofwinningsucha battle.Heorshewillhavetojudgeifandwhenthepartyhascrossedthelineanddestroyedany hopeofanalliancewithBarovandKristiana.Suchadecisionrepresentsafailedmissionunless thePCssueforpeace.IfthePCsfighttheirwayoutofthecastle,theywillbehuntedbyboth AzalinandStrahduntildestroyed. Ifthepartyceaseshostileactions,thekingordersthemtolaytheirweaponsattheirfeet, angrilyasksthequeenifshessurethatthesearetheones,andthenreturnstohisthrone.Two dozenguardsremainintheroom,readytoresumebattleifthePCsgrowhostileagain. PossibleWordsandDeeds Thispartoftheencountersectioncitesvarioussubjectsandactions,ratherthan attemptingtodirecttheadventuringpartyalongaspecificlineofconversation.TheDMshould bepreparedtoselectandusethisinformationasneededandtoroleplayallNPCs. Strahd ThekingandqueenwellknowofStrahdbuthedisappeared385yearsagowhenthe curseofBaroviastolealmostalloftheroyalfamilyfromthefaceoftheland,aswellastheHoly SymbolofRavenkind(andtheIcon,too,ifthePCstookitinFromtheShadows).Tothecurrentroyal family,Strahdisaheroandmartyr,forhewasthefirstkingofBaroviaamanwhoconquered thelandandbroughtcivilizationtoit.Barovisproudofhisresemblancetothegreatleader.

LocallegendsclaimthatStrahdwasstruckdownbyjealousgodswhoinvokedthecurse ofBarovia.NeitherKristiananorBarovknowanythingofStrahdstruefateandwillbeamazed iftoldhewalksthelandagain.BothwillseeStrahdsreturnasagoodsign,eveniftheyaretold Strahdiseviloravampire.Theyseehimasatragicfigure,andtheyareinclinedtobelievethat heembracedevilforthegoodofBarovia,astheirlegendsofthecursebearout. TheCurseofBarovia Barovspeaksinhauntingtones,tellingthelegend.NotethatBarovclaimsthattheIconof Ravenloftdisappeared,too.IftheIconwasnotremovedfromthecastlewiththeHolySymbolof Ravenkind,thenomittheboldlineoftextinthefollowingpassage. //Once,thelandinwhichwelivewasruledbyevilgodsofwaranddeath.Undertheir reignofendlessbloodlust,thepeoplestruggledthroughuntoldyearsofchaosandcarnagethat nomortalcouldcontrolorhalt.Againstourwill,wewagedwaronourbrethrenforthepleasure oftheevilones. Thecamethegreatestgeneralofalltime!StrahdvonZarovichdefiedthewilloftheevil godsbytakingthelandfromtheirgrasp.Hisarmiesgrewinstrengthandnumbersthat confoundedthegods,andallpeopleflockedtohisbanner.Thegeneralcapturedtheheartsofthe conqueredasquicklyashecapturedtheirweapons,forhislegacywasprosperityandpeace.The servantsofevilwerevanquishedandthelandbecamewhole. ThegreatStrahdcaredforallthelandasifitwereapartofhim,asifheweretheland itself! ThenBarovsvoicelowerssothattherestofthehallcannothearit.Yethepaidaprice forthenationhestolefromchaos,foritissaidthat,inthemidstofonebattleofutmostimport, GeneralvonZarovichcalledupondarkpowerstoaidhimagainsttheevil.Strahdusedthose powerstoachievegood,buthebroughtacurseuponhisownfamily. Onthedayofhisfairbrotherswedding,ablackfogfelluponthiscastle,andallofits occupantsdisappearedfromthefaceoftheland!Servantthievesoftheevilgodscametothe castleinthemidstofthechaosandstoletheHolySymbolofRavenkind,theveryheartofour purity,andtheIconofRavenloft,thesourceofourstrengthtoopposeevil. ThereisaprophecythatsaysallmembersofthevonZarovichfamilywillfallpreyto eviluntiltheHolySymbolisreturnedtothechapelaltar.Buttheprophecypromisesanendtothe curse,andthequeentellsmethatyouaretheinstrumentsofthegodswills.// TheProphecy ThissubjectshouldnotbebroughtupifthePCsdidnotplayFromtheShadows. Kristianaexplainsthattheprophecysaysthethieveswillreturntothesceneofthe crime,makingrightwhattheyoncemadewrong.Shedoesntknowexactlywhatitmeans,but shehasbeencommuningwithhergodssincethebeginningoftheGrandConjunction,andshe hasbeentoldthatthePCswouldcomeKristianatellsthemthattheyarethosethieves. IfthePCsdontfreelytellthestoryofhowtheystoletheHolySymbol,thequeenwilltry togetthemtotalkaboutit.Shewillassurethemthatshebearsthemnoillwillforpast transgressions,andshewilltellthemtheirpresenceprovesthattheymeantosetthingsright.By providingherwithasmuchinformationaspossible,shecanbetteraidthem.Sincethequeenhas beencommuningwithhergods,shecanhintatAzalinsphylacteryandothersubjects,not knowingthedetails,buthavingageneralideaofthings. TheGrandConjunction

Kristianasgodshavetoldhertheydontknowwhatsoccurred,butsomeunknown pocketofevilhasbeenopenedbythePCs.Thegodstellherithassomethingtodowithaliving skull.IfthePCshavealreadyrevealedAzalinsphylactery,thenshebelievesthisistheobjectto whichthegodsrefer.Ifthephylacteryhasntbeendiscussed,KristianaquestionsthePCsand promptsthemtotellheraboutit. BybringingAzalinthroughthemiststoBarovia,thePCshavecreatedaplanar conjunctionofsomesort,unleashinganunspeakableamountofevilonthemultiverse.The godshavetoldthequeenthattheymustconsiderthisactacrimeofdivinemagnitudeandthatthe mortalswhocreatedsuchhavocmustbeappropriatelypunished.ThePCshaveliterally earnedthewrathofthegodsandmustactiftheyhopetosavethemselves! ThequeenbelievesthatthejustgodsarereservingjudgmentandgivingthePCsachance torightwhattheyhavemadewrong.Iftheyfailtoact,deathwillbetheleastoftheirworries thequeenshoulddrivethispointhomewithallthegravityshecanmuster. TheHolySymbolandtheIcon KristianaknowstheHolySymbolisinthehandsofevil,butshehasnoideawhereitis.If thePCsremovedtheIconfromCastleRavenloftinFromtheShadows,thenitsharesthesafefateas theHolySymbol.Otherwise,theIconhasmysteriouslyreappearedwiththecomingoftheGrand Conjunction.Thishascausedquiteasensationinthecastle,andthequeenhasbeencommuning withhergodstolearnthemeaningbehinditsreturn. MadameYvonna TheVistaniareconsideredbytheresidentsofPrimeMaterialBaroviatobenothingmore thancommongypsies.KristianaknowsMadameYvonnabyreputationandisawarethatshehas someinterestingpowers,butYvonnaisntknowntobealliedwithanyevilpower. HyskosasHexad NooneknowsofHyskosaorhisprophecy,butifthePCsbringitup,Kristianaoffersto consultwithhergodsaboutit. Azalin ThelichhasnohistoryinthistimeframesincehehasneverappearedinPrimeMaterial Barovia.BarovandKristianaquestionthePCsatlengthabouttheeventsofFromtheShadows, eventuallydeducingthatAzalinistheengineeroftheGrandConjunctionandthepossessorof theHolySymbol(andtheIcon,ifapplicable).IfthePCsrelatetheeventsofFromtheShadowsto them,thenthequeenispositivethatAzalinholdstheHolySymbol. AnebrounknowsenoughaboutlichestotheorizethatAzalinwillremainweakand unabletousemagicforthreedaysfollowingtheanimationofabody. ThePhylactery Kristianaidentifiesthephylacteryimmediatelyasanobjectofintenseevil.Shedeclares thatshewillpraytohergodsforinformationaboutit.

Anebrounaskstoexaminetheobjectandconfirmsthatextremelypowerfulmagichas beencastuponit.IfthePCshaventcastdispelmagiconthephylacteryandshrunkitdowntoa smallskull,Anebroundoessonow,suggestingthatitmightrendertheobjectvulnerableto destruction(itdoesnt). Inordertodeterminehowtodestroyit,sheclaimssheneedsseveralweekstoexperiment withit.Anebrounurgentlyaskstokeepitforstudy,andshepromisestokeepitverysafe.She alsoswearsthatshecandiscoveramethodtodestroyit,butKristianainsiststhatthePCsmust bearthephylacteryuntilfortunedictatesitsfate. //But,YourHighness,insistsAnebroun,mymagicisnearlyaspowerfulasthatofthe lich,ifnotmoreso.Whobettertokeepitsafeortodestroyit? Thephylacteryisboundupinthefateofthesepeople,respondsthequeen,gesturing atyou.Letusnotbetoohastyinouruseofit.Wemustletthegodsguideusbeforeweact. Havepatience,oldone. Imustinsistonbehalfoftheking,respondsAnebroun.Ifearthisskullisatokenof thecurse.Please,letmedestroyit! Yourconcerntouchesmedeeply,saysBarov,butletuswaituntilthegodshave spoken.Perhapstheyllagreewithyou.// Anebrounreluctantlybowsandwithdraws.Sherealizesshemustbesubtleandnot revealherintenseinterestinbecomingalich,butitsdifficulttoconcealherdesire. TheChapel Whentheking,thequeen,andthePCshaveexhaustedthesubjectsabove,readthe following.Onceagain,omittheboldcopyiftheIconofRavenloftwasnotremovedfromthealtar inthechapel. //Barovfrownsandstrokeshischinthoughtfullyforamomentbeforesaying,Youhave broughtusmanyanswers,butyouhaveraisedevenmorequestions.ThisGrandConjunctions maybethedoomofBaroviaandotherworldsaswell,yetmyqueentellsmethatallisnotyet lost. Quiteso,chimesinKristiana.Iremainconfidentinthepowersofgoodnessandlight. Whateverevilyoumayhavecaused,thegodsarewillingtowaitbeforepassingjudgmentupon you,sotheremustbeawaytoreversewhathasoccurred. WemustlearnthelocationofAzalin,forsurelyheholdstheHolySymbolandtheIcon. Letusgodowntothechapelimmediately,andIshallcommunewiththegodsandasktheir guidance.// Thekingandqueenrisetotheirfeetanddescendfromthedais.Anebroun,Lynrich,and Thomurraytakeupcustomarypositionsbehindtheirsovereigns.Fourofthehonorguards marchbehindtheentourage.Kristianaleadstheway. Thegroupproceedsbackdownthegrandstaircase,throughthehalloffaith(Area5),and intothechapel(Area6).Kristianaabsentlypointsoutvariouspaintings,statues,andotheritems ofinterestalongthewaysheisproudofherroyalhome.IfthepartyhasplayedFromthe Shadows,thentheyrecognizethesurroundingsfromtheirvisit385yearsago. IfthePCsask,nooneknowswhoisthenonhumaninthefrescoonthegrandstaircase. TheroyalfamilyhasalwaysthoughtittobeoneoftheevilgodsthatStrahdovercame.

//QueenKristianaleadsyouintoalargesanctuarythatstretchesacrossthewidthofthe castle.Beforeyou,thepewsarearrangedintothreeblocks,formingtwoaislesthatcrossthe chapeltothealtararea. Kristianaturnstotherightandmovestowardtheaisleonthatsideoftheroom.You noticeanalcoveintherightwallandahugecircularstaircasebeyond. Thatstairwellclimbsthehightower,remarksthequeenassheobservesyoulooking thatway.Itis380feettallfromthetipofthetowertotheroyalcryptbelow. Beautifulstainedglasswindowsreachtotheceilingbehindthealtarandcastmyriad lightandshadowsacrosstheraisedtable.Abloodredclothcoversthataltar,andseveralsilver objectsrestonitssurface.// Kristianasreferencetothehightower(Area7)isasignificantclue.Theplayerswilllater needtorememberthatthestairsleadtotheroyalcrypt.Thequeeninstructseveryonetobe seatedinthepewsnearthealtarwhilesheascendsandkneels. Onthealtar,thereareapairoflargesilvercandlesticksholdingthickwhitecandles,a braidedsilversash,asilverincenseburner,andabookofprayers.IftheIconispresent,thePCs certainlynoticethegleamingstatuetteofaravenatthecenterofthealtar. AssumingtheIconispresent,readthefollowing.Otherwise,skiptothenextdialog. //Kristianareverentlypicksupasilverstatueofaravenandholdsitforalltosee. Behold,theIconofRavenloftlostforthreecenturies!hasreappearedbeyondallhope.Even thegodsknownotwhereithasbeen! Thisisthesymbolofourstrength,andImustbelievethatitsreturnsymbolizesanew hopeforthevonZarovichline.IfwecanreunitetheHolySymbolofRavenkindwiththeIconhere uponthealtarofCastleRavenloft,thenperhapsthegreatevilthatplaguedourbloodlinewillfail andweshallrulehappilyaswehaveruledjustly!// SkiptothisdialogueifthePCsdidnottaketheIconinFromtheShadows. //Thequeensays,Pleaseremainsilentnow,andIwillcalluponthegodsandbegfor theirwisdom.Sheturnsandkneelsbeforethealtarandbeginstopray. Beyondthestainedglasswindows,theskiesremaingloomy,castingnolightthroughthe coloredglass,butthechapelseemstobrightenasifthesunhasjustcomeout.Kristianaisthe sourceofthelight. Thehighpriestesswhisperstoherselfforseveralminutes,pausingoccasionallytogesture overthealtar.Finally,shebowsherhead,thenstandsandfacesyou. Blessedbethegodsoflight,sheproclaims,herfaceradiantwiththeblissofdivine communication.Theyhavespokenandsenthopetousall! Acloudofwrathdarkensherface.Itdoesnotmatterwhatyourintentionswereyou havedeliveredthehouseofevilfromitsrightfulprisonandbroughtdarknessupontheuniverse. Forthisoffenseyouarecondemnedbythegods!Ifyoutakenostepstorightwhatyouhave done,thendeathwillbetheleastofyourconcerns! Kristianapausesforbreath,thensaysinamoreforgivingtone,Thereisbutonehopefor you.Youmustatoneforyourwrongdoingandundertakeaquesttorecoverthehopethathas beenstolenfromus.ReturntometheHolySymbolofRavenkindandtheIconofRavenloft.The godshaveordainedthattheGrandConjunctionwillcollapseifthegreatestgoodisjoinedwith thegreatesteviluponthealtar.ThegreatestgoodistheHolySymbol.Thegreatestevilthegods identifyasthephylacteryofthelich,Azalin. Thequeenseyesflashasshepausesandthenasks,Willyouconsenttothisholy mission?//

Giventhestakes,itsunlikelythatthePCswillrefusesuchatask.Iftheyaskforpayment forcompletingthetask,thequeenremindsthemofthepaymentdueiftheydontsucceed. IftheyaskhowtofindAzalin,Kristianareplies,Thegodsknownotwheretofindthe beingwhocallshimselfAzalin,forthatisnothistruename.Butfearnot!Thephylacterywillbe yourguide,forthelichandhisvesselareascloselyconnectedasyourownbodyandspirit.The queendoesntknowexactlyhowthephylacterywillguidethem;shehasonlybeentoldbythe godsthatthisisthecase.ThePCshavetofigureouthowtousetheskullasatrackingdevice(see theIntroduction). ShouldthePCsvolunteerthenameofFiranZalhonan,Kristianatellsthemthatthegods havealreadygiventhemalltheinformationtheyneedtocompletetheirtaskandthatitwouldbe unwisetotrythegodspatiencewithrepeatedcommunions.Onedoesnotsimplycontactthe godsandquestionthematleisure,andyourstandingwiththemistenuousenough!shesays.In short,shebidsthemtocarryouttheirquestwithwhatknowledgetheyhave.(IfthePCshave alreadybroughtupthenameofFiranZalhonan,theDMshouldnotreadthelineaboutthegods notknowingAzalinstruename.) Duringthisdiscussion,Anebrounbecomesincreasinglyanxious.WhenthePCsagreeto seektheHolySymbol,readthefollowing. //Anebrouncries,YourHighness,Imustprotest!Ifthesegoodpeopleusethelichs phylacterytofinditsowner,hewillsurelytakeitfromthemwhentheysucceed.Toallowsucha powerfulweapontobeputdirectlyintotheenemyshandsposesarisknotonlytothesebrave heroes,buttoKingBarovandallofBarovia! TheoldwizardresskneelsbeforeKingBarovandpleadswithhim.Please,YourGrace. Iamnearlyaspowerfulasthelich.Withthecauseofgoodonmyside,Iamevenmorepowerful thanhe.IknowIcandestroythephylacteryifImgivenenoughtimetostudyit.Letmetry Butthequeeninterrupts,Anebroun,whilethelichholdstheHolySymbol,heisasdeadly ashecanbe.Theheroeswillhavetofindawaytokeepthephylacterysafe,butitistheirguideto thatwhichtheyseek,andtheymusthaveit. Anebrounstartstoargueagain,butthenlookstotheking,whoshakeshishead.She bowsgrudginglyandstepsback.// ThequeencommandsthePCstokneelatthealtarandreceivethegodscommand. Thisis,infact,aquestspell,requiringthePCstorecovertheHolySymbol(andIcon)andreturn themtoCastleRavenloft.WhenthePCskneelbeforeKristiana: //Thequeenlightsastickofincenseonthealtarandwhispersaprayer.Thesheturnsto youandspeakswithabluishglowinhereyes.Inthenamesofallthegodsoflightandpurity,I commityoutoreturntheHolySymbolofRavenkindandtheIconofRavenlofttothisplace,or breachanddieinthequestofit! Shebringsherhandsflattogetherandthenspreadsthemslowlyapart,revealinga brilliantsparkleoflightfloatingbetweenthem.Itburnsmoreandmorebrightlyuntilyoumust closeyoureyestoitorgoblind.Whenyoucloseyoureyes,youseeacircularmedallionwitha whitecrystalatitscenterasclearlyasifitwererightinfrontofyou.ItisanimageoftheHoly Symbol,glowinglikethesun,anditburnsindeliblyintoyourmindsandremainsthere. Suddenly,youfeelanoverwhelmingdesiretoseetheactualitem.Anythoughtother thanthatoffindingitisalmostphysicallysickeningtoyou.// ThekingisvisiblyrelievedthatthePCshaveacceptedthequest.Hebelievesthatthey maybreakthefourcenturiesoldcurseandthusallowhimalong,happylife,andhepromises

themakinglyrewardfortheirefforts.Hemovestothealtar,kneels,andbeginstoprayforthe PCssuccess. Meanwhile,Kristiana,Lynrich,andThomurrayoffertheirservicestohealthepartyof anywoundsithassustained.Clericsareinvitedtoprayatthealtarandwizardsareallowedtosit andstudytheirgrimoires.Ifanyonewishes,Kristianawillcastanapspelluponthem. Ifthepartyneedstimeforspellmemorization,computethetimeneededtoregainall spelllevelsandthenrollpercentiledice,assigninga5%chanceperturnthatInajiraappears beforethepartyhasfinisheditswork.Duringthistime,theking,thequeen,Lynrich,and Thomurraycontinuetoholdaprayervigiltoblessthequest,butAnebrounretirestoher chambers. EnterInajira Ifthepartydoesntchoosetomemorizeanyspellsorifapercentilerolldictatesthat Inajirahasarrived: //Outsidethecastle,astormeruptswithasudden,brilliantflashoflight,answered almostimmediatelywithanearsplittingcrackofthunder.Throughthetallstainedglass windows,theskylightsupwithrepeatedflashesoflight.Anotherboltstrikesevencloser,and therumblingofashatteredtowerrollsdowntheouterwall. Behindthethunderechoingthroughthekeeparisesashrillwhine.Atfirstyouthink yourearsarejustringingafterthoselightningbolts,butthenitgrowslouder.Withinseconds, thewhinegrowssopainfullyloudthatyoumustclampyourhandsoveryourearsandsqueeze youreyestightlyshut.// TelltheplayerstomakeaConstitutioncheckfortheircharacters.Thosewhofailtheir rollsfalltotheirkneesinpainandaredisorientedfor1d4rounds.Eventhosewhosucceed cannotcastspellsorperformanyactioninvolvingtheirhandsforoneround.Iftheyattemptto move,theirMVis3.AttheDMsoption,aDexteritycheckcanberequired,withapenaltyof4, foreach10feetofmovement(accountingforobstaclesthatthePCmaytripover1d6damage forfalling).Afterthissituationisresolved,readthefollowing. //Almostasquicklyasthepiercingdronewentup,itturnsraggedandlowersuntilit soundslikethevicioussnarlofamaddog.Thevolumetapersoff,andyourealizethatitis comingfromwithintheroom! Upatthealtar,nexttoKingBarov,standsabeastwiththebodyofalargemanandthe headofablackeyedjackal,surroundedinashimmeringglow. Withoutwarning,themonsterseizestheking,liftshimbodilyofftheground,and growls,OverthreecenturieshaveIlookedforyou,butIknewyouwouldreturnhere!Whereis thebook,StrahdvonZarovich!Whereismybook,oathbreaker! KingBarov,tooshockedtoreact,merelylooksyourwaywithaglassyexpression,hislegs swinginghelplesslybackandforthaboutafootofftheground.Kristianascreams. Themonsterroarswithavoicethatshakesthewalls,IlldragyoubacktoGehennaand youllanswermymastersthere!itsnarlsandthenthebeastsinksitslong,pointedteethintothe kingsneck.Barovseyesrollupandhislegsgolimpashisbluetunicstainspurplewith blood.// Ifnecessary,instructtheplayerstomakefearandhorrorchecks.Kristiana,Anebroun, Lynrich,andThomurrayautomaticallyfailtheirchecksatthesightoftheirkingbeingbrutally

murdered;theystandinshock.Thefoureliteguardsruninapanic,crying,Murder,murder,the kingisdead! Havealltheplayerswhoareabletodosodeclaretheirnextactionandrollforinitiative. Inajirafliesupintotheceilingwithhispreyandvirtuallyignoresallattacksmadeuponhim, concentratingonhisgriponBarovsthroat. AllowthePCstotaketheirroundofactions.Notethatyugolothsarenaturallymagic resistant(60%),buttheDMcanchoosetomakeanysignificantlydamagingPCcastedspells automaticallyfail. WhenInajirasinitiativecomesup,hereleaseshisgriponBarovsthroatandplaceshis handafewinchesfromthekingsmouth,asifhewouldcatchsomethingthatthekingspatout. Barovsmouthfallsopenandawhitishmistpoursforthintothefiendshand. Rollforthenextroundofinitiative.InajirasactioninthisroundistodropBarovsbody androaragainwithfury.Allcharactersintheroommustmakeasuccessfulsavingthrowvs. paralysisorbeforcedtoclamptheirhandsovertheirearsagain.Thosewhofailtheirrollsand haventyettakentheiractionfortheroundareunabletodoso.Thisroaralsointerruptsand wastesthespellsofthosewhofailtheirsavingthrowswhileintheprocessofcasting. NotStrahd!Inajiracries.Acounterfeit!ThenhelooksatKristianaandsays,But yourenocounterfeit!andhedescendstoher.TellthePCsthatthesoundofmanyrunningfeet approachesfromdowntheHallofFaiththecastleguardiscomingbutthechapeldoorsslam shutbeforethereinforcementscanarrive,andtheypoundhelplesslyonthedoor. Rollforinitiativeagain.Lynrichattemptstostepbetweentheirqueenandtheyugoloth asheapproachesher,butInajirashovesthepriestasideandseizesKristiana.Thepriestliterally fliesthroughtheairandsmashesintoawall.InajiracontinuestoignoreallPCattacks. Rolloncemoreforinitiative.WhenInajirasactioncomesup,helookstowardthePCs, bearshisteeth,andgatesintwootheryugolothsdergholothsinparticular(seebelow).Inajira thenfliesthroughthestainedglasswindowwithKristianaandoutofsight.IfanyofthePCs havethemeansandintenttofollowthem,Inajirainvokeshisinnateteleportwithouterrorability anddisappearswithasadisticwinkandalaughatthePCs. Inajiracastaglobeofinvulnerabilityonhimselfbeforeentering,soheshouldbenearly impossibletohurtsignificantlyinthisbattle,anditisfortunateforthePCsthatheisntinterested inthematthispoint.However,shouldthePCsmanagetodeprivehimof50%ormoreofhishit pointtotalbeforehecompletestheabovetasks,hewilluseoneactiontoimmediatelygateinthe dergholothsandcommandthemtoattackthePCs.Thenhecontinueswithhisotheractions. InajirasstatsarelistedintheNPCsummary,anddetailedinformationconcerninghis speciesisprofiledonpage.Forfullinformationregardingthedergholoth,theDMshould consulttheOuterPlanesappendixoftheMONSTROUSCOMPENDIUMTM,butthedatabelowis sufficientforthepurposesofthisbattle.Dergholothscarrynoweapons,attackinginsteadwith eachoftheirfivestubby,fourclawedhands.Ifthefirsttwoclawattackshit,theopponenthas beengrabbedandthefiendreceivesa+2bonustosuccessiveattackrollstothatcharacter;aone halfStrengthcheckisrequiredtobreakfree. Dergholoths(2):Intlow;AC3(seebelow);MV12;HD8+16;hp51;THAC013;#AT5;Dmg (1d4+8)x5;SAseebelow;SD+1orbetterweaponneededtohit;SZL;ML14;MR40%;ALNE;XP 25,500each. Dergholothsmayusethefollowingspelllikeabilitiesatwill:alterself,causedisease(reverseofcure disease),charmperson,darkness,15radius,fear,improvedphantasmalforce,produceflame,sleep(twice perday),andteleportwithouterror. EnterStrahd

NosoonerdoesInajiraflyoffwithKristianathanStrahdemergesfromthelargestairwell (Are7).PCswhoinquireaboutwhereheexactlycamefrommaymakeanIntelligencecheckto determinethatStrahdcameupthesteps.InstructthePCstomakefearchecksuponseeinghim, with2penaltiesifStrahdbattledwiththematthestartofthisadventureand4penaltiesifhe inflicteddamageequalto50%ormoreoftheirhitpointtotals.(SeetheNPCsummaryfor Strahdsstats.) ItwillprobablysurprisethePCs,butStrahdattacksthedergholoths,screamingwithrage ashedoesso.Inajira!Comeback,youcoward,youworthlessfiend! IfanyofthePCsattacksStrahd,hecriesout,Damnyou,helpmedestroythesethings beforetheycallformoreoftheirkind!andthencontinueshisattacks.ShouldthePCspersistin theirattacksuponStrahd,hechangestobatformandfliesoutthewindow.Otherwise,he continuestofightuntiloneofthedergholothsisdestroyedandtheotheriswithinahitortwoof dyingaswell. Atthatpoint,Strahdtellsthegroup,Finishit!Illgoafterthequeen!Heassumesbat formandfliesoutthewindow. AsthePCsfinishoffthelastdergholoth,thecastleguardsbreakthroughthedoor. Twentyofthemburstintotheroom,stareaghastatthekingsbodyonthefloor,andthenlook accusinglyatthePCsandraisetheirweapons.Instructtheplayerstodeclaretheirnextactions andmakeinitiativerolls.Iftheyattacktheguards,theyhavetofighttheirwayoutofthecastle. Theyencounter1d10+10moreguardsintheHallofFaith(Area5),1d4+10moreguardsinthe entryhall(Area2),andtheyarefireduponby12archersastheycrossthecourtyardanduntil theymoveoutofrange. Eliteguards,8thlevelfighters:Intavg(9);AC2;MV6;hp65;THAC013;#AT1;Dmg1d8;SZM; ML15;MRnil;ALLG;XP700each. Archers,5thlevelfighters:Intavg(8);AC5(chain);MV9;hp45;THAC013(withlongbow);# AT2/1;Dmg1d8(sheararrows);SAnone;SDnone;SZM;ML11;MRnil;ALLG;XP300each. IfthePCsattempttoreasonwiththeguards,theyareorderedtothrowdowntheir weaponsbeforetheyarelistenedto.Thomurraycanconfirmtheirinnocence,butheisincoherent untilanyformofemotioncontrollingspelliscastuponhim.Afterall,hehasseenhisking brutallyslaughtered,hisbelovedqueentakenbyamonster,andthenStrahd(whoappearstobe theking)appearonthescene.Thiswouldbetoomuchforalmostanyone.IfnoneofthePCscan supplythespell,Anebrounappearsandusesmagictocalmhimdownandgetthestoryoutof him. IfThomurrayhasrecoveredandabsolvedthePCs,readthefollowingtext. //AnebrounkneelsbesidethelifelessformofKingBarovandkisseshislimphand. ThecurseofBaroviaclaimsanotherroyalspirit,shesaysquietly.Thensheturnstoyou.The HolySymbolofRavenkindcannothelpmykingnow.Whynotgivemethephylacteryandletme destroyit? No!answersThomurray.Whydoyouignorethewordsofthequeen,Anebroun?The heroesmustcompletetheirquestifanygoodistocomeofthistravesty.Thepriestturnstoyou. Iwillcomewithyou,ifyoulike,andhelpshieldthephylacteryfromthelichwithwhatever meansIpossess.Forthesakeofthequeen,willyouacceptmyaid?//

Thomurraysintentionsarepure.Ifthegroupconsiderssurrenderingthephylacteryto Anebroun,remindthePCsthatthedesiretoseeandtouchtheHolySymbolburnsintheirhearts andmindsandthatthephylacteryseemstobetheironlymeansoffindingit. //Allright,saysAnebroun.Thequeenswillbedone!Butyouwalkintogreat dangerholdingastillmoredangerousprize.Thomurraysassistancewillbeinvaluabletoyou, andsowillmine.IwillhelpyouseekthelichandtaketheHolySymbolfromhiswitheredhand! Maythegodsprotectusbetterthantheyhavethekingandqueen.// IfthePCsrefusethehelpofThomurray,thepriestthrowshimselfattheirfeetandbegs themtolethimtakepartintherescueofhisbelovedqueen.Hesimplywonttakenoforan answer.DoanythingwithincharactertoconvincethePCstotakehimalong.Intheend,ifthey absolutelyrefuse,theDMwillhavetomakeadjustmentsinthetexttoaccountforThomurrays absence;theadventureisplayablewithouthim. Anebrounalsoinsistsonaccompanyingtheparty.IfthePCsrejecthercompany,she arguesmorelogicallythattheycoulduseapowerfulwizardwhengoingtofacealich.Again,in thecharacterofthewizardesstheDMshouldconvincethePCsthattheytakeheralongfor protection.IfthePCsareadamantaboutrejectingher,Anebrounwilleventuallyshakeherhead andsay,Suchheadstrongandfoolishheroes!Ifalltheglorymustbeyours,thengo!Ionlyhope thatBaroviamaybesalvagedifyoufail.Withthat,shestormsoutoftheroom. RemindthegroupagainhowmuchtimetheyhavebeforeAzalinregainshisspells.

BacktoVallaki
NowthatthePCsknowAzalinsphylacteryisthekeytofindingthelich,theyshould havelittletroublefiguringouthowthetrackingfeatureworks(seetheIntroduction).Thelich isnolongeronthemove,sotheeyesglowsteadilyifthePCsholditstillwhentheskullpoints westward,backtowardVallaki. Theincidenceofminorconjunctionsisontherise.OncethePCsareoutsidethegatesof Barovia,thechanceofaconjunctionis75%perhour. Thelittleghostgirlhasbeenwaitingforthepartytoemergefromthecastlesoshecan followthemagain,andshelooksworsethanever.Sheappearstobleedfromthemouth,eyes, andfingernailsnow,andshesbecomingverybony.Sheisntasgigglyaswhentheyfirst encounteredher;rather,shestaresmoroselyatthemnowandmoanspitifully.TheDMmaycall forhorrorchecksatthefirstsightofherinthiscondition. ShadowsintheShadows WhenthePCsleaveCastleRavenloft,readthefollowing. //Theforestseemsdarkerthanever.Everythingyouhearsoundsunnaturaland unnaturallyloudasyoumoveintothetrees.Theshadowsthemselvesseemtoshiftandwatch youasyouslipthroughthewoods.Themistsfloatingthroughthetreesformintofacesinthe darkrecesses,butthefacestwistanddisappearwhenyoulookforthem. ThegatesofRavenloftopenasyouapproach.Oncepastthegatesandontheroad,you occasionallyhearpantingcomingfromthewoods,andthesnapofatwignowandthen.// StrahdscarriageisgonewhenthePCsemergefromthecastle,butStrahdsdirewolves (MCI/II)areshadowingthepartyagain.Asstatedinthelastencountersection,theydontattack thepartyunlessoneofthePCswandersmorethan100feetfromtherestofthegroup,atwhich time1d6direwolvesmoveintoattack.Ofcourse,thebeastsmakegroupmoralechecks(10) everyroundassoonasoneofthemishitorifotherPCscometotherescue. IfAnebrounhasbeenprohibitedfromcomingalong,shepolymorphsherselfintoasmall birdandfollowsthePCs.Evenifdetectinvisibilityortrueseeingisinvoked,affectedcharactersstill haveonlya5%chancetospotAnebroun;sheisactivelyseekingtoremainunseen. Thomurraymostlypraysalongtheway.Hesfriendlyenough,butabitstuffy.Thepriest isusedtocourtlife,andhehasntbeenonamissionsincehewasayoungman.Hecallseach adventureryoungmanoryoungladywithaslightbowofthehead.Hisfavoritesubjectis, ofcourse,QueenKristiana.Hefretsoverherfateconstantly;infact,hesalmostjealousof Lynrich,whodiedprotectingher. TheDMshouldplaythisNPCasultralawfulgoodandabiteccentric.Thegodshave definedamissionforthegroup,throughthelipsofThomurraysbelovedqueen,andheendures sidetrackswithstrenuousprotest.Otherwise,heisashelpfulasthePCscouldwant.TheDM shoulddoasmuchaspossibletomakethegrouplikeThomurray.Whentroublearises,he shouldbethefirstintothefray.IfaPCgetsintotrouble,Thomurrayshouldchargetotherescue. TheDMmightevencheatonsomeofthepriestsdicerolls,tomakehimlookverypowerfuland evenindispensabletothegroup.Iftheadventurerscometolikeandrespectthischaracter,itwill beallthemoreshockingwhenheskilledbeforetheireyesinthenextencountersection. ThomurrayandAnebrounknowthegeographyofBaroviaverywell,sotheycanidentify anylocationontheareamap.

SvalichPass HerethePCshaveanencounterwithbothInajiraandStrahdvonZarovich.Inajira appearsandseeksthePCsaidinrecoveringhisBookofKeepingfromavaultinthefamilycryptat CastleRavenloft.ThenStrahdappearsandbegsforthePCsaid.Sincebothbeingscoincide withthePCsquesttorecovertheHolySymbol(andtheIcon),theyllhavelittlecausetodeny eitherone,andtheylllearnsomevaluableinformationintheprocess. AsthePCsapproachSvalichPass,readthefollowingtext. //TheskieshavebeengrayandmistysinceyouarrivedinBarovia.Itseemsthesun nevershinesinthiscountry,butyoucanthelpfeelingthatyouretoblameforthedisappearance oflightfromtheskies.UnlessyoulocatetheHolySymbol(andtheIcon),youmayneverseethe sunagain. YoureachSvalichPass,whichliesatthetopofadozenswitchbacksontheeastsideof thedivideandsweepsdownintofogchokedvalleysonthewestside.Atthesummit,theroad crestsoverawidehumpsurroundedbybarren,stonycragsthatfallofftothenorthandrisein sheercliffstowardMountGhakisinthesouth.Onaclearday,theviewmightbelongand beautiful,butnowthevistaislostinmistwashedshadow. AstormbrewsoverMountGhakis,sendinganominousrumbledowntheslopestoward youlikeanavalancheofsound.Yourskinbeginstoprickleandthehaironthebackofyourneck standsup.Therumblingfromthesouthisgrowinglouder,closer.Eerily,thegroundbeginsto softenandshakebelowyourfeet.Throughthethickfog,thegiganticbouldersaboveyouseemto beshifting.Alamentablegroaningbeginstowhisper,thenrisestoashriek.Somethingevilis abouttohappen....// Amajorconjunctionistakingplace:AroundthePCs,boulderssplitopen,releasingten heucuva,eightmummies,threespectres,andagroaningspirit(MCI/II,all).Furthermore,the conjunctionhascausedthemountaintosoftenastwoplanesintersect,sotheadventurersfeet sinkabout3inchesintotheground.Movementratesarereducedto3fortworoundsuntilthe gateshutsandthegroundfirmsagain.Atthattime,playersmustsavevs.paralyzation;failure indicatesthatthegroundhardenstoosuddenlyandcatchesthemrightwheretheyare. ThemonsterscloseinonthePCsfromalldirections.Recallthatallundeadareturnedas licheswhenAzalinsphylacteryispresent.However,thesecreaturesarentAzalinsminions,so theydontreceivethegazeattackthatlichminionsemploy.Afterfiveroundsoffightinghave elapsed(threeifthePCsaredoingwell),readthefollowing. //Overhead,theresasudden,blindingflashoflightningandanearthshakingcrashof thunder.Theveryairappearstoripintwo,andblacksmokebillowsoutofthegraymistabove you.Thedarkcloudrumblesandsparksasifitwouldrainebonytearsonyourhead,butthenit floatsdowntothegroundnearbyandclearsaway.Standinginitsplaceisthebeastthat murderedKingBarovInajira! Oneoftheskeletalwarriorsbreaksofffromthebattleandchargesthebeastman,but whenitmovestowithin10feetofInajira,theskeletonfallslifeless.Theyugolothlooksatitand snickers,theninhalesdeeplyandhowlssoloudlythatthegroundshakesagain.Whenhishowls end,allthemonstersaroundyouliequietlyontheground. Thenhelooksatyouandsays,Pauseamoment,braveandsweetadventurers...pause andhavespeakswiththishumbleservantofpuissantandprosperousmasters.// Hisvoiceisalluringandmusical;hestryingtocharmtheparty.Eveniftheysucceed theirsavingthrows,tellthem,Thecreatureseemstogenuinelywanttobeyourfriend.Tothose

whofailtheirrolls,say,Youareabletolookbehindthewordsofthiscreature,andyoucantell thathespeaksinearnest. InajirahascometonegotiatewiththePCs.He,likebothAzalinandStrahd,cannottouch theHolySymbol,soheneedsthemtodohisworkforhim.Hisattempttocharmisonlymeantto smooththewayforhim. Thomurrayisappalledattheappearanceofthemonsterwhokilledhiskingand kidnappedhisbelovedqueen.HeimmediatelyattacksInajira,cursinghimvehemently.Inajira useshisteleportwithouterrorabilityandmovesbehindtheparty,wherehesays,Youmust believeme,Icometoparlay. Anebroun(ifpresent)doesnttrusthimeither.Thisisacreaturefromthemostevilof thelowerplanesofexistence,shewarns.Trusthimnot! IfthePCsattempttoattackhim,too,hecontinuestododgeandspeakcourteouslyuntil theyagreetotalktohim.Thomurraymustbeallbutphysicallyrestrained. Whenpeaceisrestored,readthefollowing. //Thecreatureputsahandtohischestandsays,Mysincereapologiesforourrude acquaintanceatourlastmeeting,butIthinkyoullfinditinyourheartstopitymeifyoullonly listentomystory.IamnothereinBaroviabymyownchoice,norhaveItakenthegoodqueen intomycustodywithrelishdoubtitnot! IhavebeenenslavedandruinedbythebeastcalledStrahdvonZarovich,andIammade anexilefrommybelovedhomelandbyhiscruelty.Surelynobleandgoodpeoplesuchas yourselvescannotbefriendsofhis!Wontyouhearmystory?// InajiradoeswhathecanwithinreasontoconvincethePCsofhisgoodwill.Thomurray (andAnebroun)remainsdistrustful.Whenableto,theyugolothtellshisstory. //Iamacreaturethatnegotiatescontractsforotherswhowouldonlycometoblows duringmediation,soyouseeIamabringerofpeace.AsImustdealwithbeingsonseveral planes,thecontractsIforgearehighlymagical.Suchdocumentsareenteredintoatomecalleda BookofKeeping,whichmakesthemlegalandbindingonallplanesofthemultiverse. Nearlyfourofyourcenturiesago,Iwascalledupontonegotiateapactbetweenoneof mymastersandthehumancalledStrahdvonZarovichIdidmyduty,butIwasbetrayed. StrahdvonZarovichtookmybookunderthepretenseofsigningit,andthenhelockeditina vaultthatIcannotpenetrate,promisingtoreturnitonlywhenthewhenthetermsofthecontract werehonored.Then,whenStrahdvonZarovichbecamelordofBarovia,hedisappearedfromthe faceofthemultiverseandwithmybook! Youmustunderstand,thisbookcontainsallthewordsthatdefinemyverybeing.All thatIam,allthatmypeersandthegodsperceivemetobe,isjudgedbythecontentsofmyBook ofKeeping.Withoutit,Icannevergohomeunlessitbetoembraceeternalhumiliationand persecution. Now,finally,theoathbreakerhasresurfaced,andImeantotakebothhimandmybook backtomyhome! Hence,Iturntoyou,nobleones.Willyouhelpme?Canwehelponeanother?// TheDMcanansweranyPCquestionsbasedontheRootsofEvilsectioninthe Introductionandtheyugolothentry(p.).Inajiraisproud,soheportrayshimselfassomeone whokeepsthepeaceonthelowerplanes,ratherthanacreaturewhoplaysbothsidesagainstthe other.Hewontdivulgeanymoreweaknessesthanhehastoadmittingtheimportanceofthe BookofKeepingtomeremortalsispainfulenough.

CallforWisdomchecksandinformthosewhosucceedthatthewolveswhohavebeen shadowingthepartyhavesuddenlyleft. IfthePCsdontaskwhatsbecomeofKristiana,Inajirarespondsasapologeticallyas possible. //Youmustnotthinkbadlyofmeforabductingher.Imquitedesperatethroughno faultofmyown!Ionlywishtoconductbusinesswithreasonablecertaintythatbothpartieswill dealingoodfaith.Withoutmybook,Ihavenomeansofguaranteeingthatanyagreementwillbe honored.ButQueenKristianaissafewithme,restassured. Iproposeanexchangebetweenus.WhenyourecovermyBookofKeeping,Iwillcometo youwiththequeen.Whatsayyou?// IfthePCsaskwheretofindtheBookofKeeping,readthefollowing. //MybookliessomewhereinthecryptbelowCastleRavenloft,inavaultwithnoname uponit.Withinthatvaultliesaboxwithalockthatcanonlybeopenedbythatthingwhichyou calltheHolySymbolofRavenkind.Thisobjectisblindingtome,andwhenItrytoseewhereitlies, Imburnedbyitsbrightness.Tothinkofitistorture,yetIthinkoflittleelse! TothepersonwhorecoversmyBook,Iwillbemostgrateful!// IfthePCsaskInajiratohelpthemrecovertheHolySymbol,readthefollowingtext. //ImafraidImustreturntothequeensside.Iveleftherwithsomeservantsand itsquitedifficulttogetgoodhelpwhereIcomefrom.Frankly,sheneedsmyconstantprotection morethanyoudo,butIcanhelpyouinanotherway....// ThisconfessionenragesThomurray,whoattacksInajiraagain,crying,Flytoherside, fiend!Youreunfittoguardherdogs,butifyoufailherIwillpersonallysendyoutoyour masters,andletthemdowhattheywill! Inajira,inturn,isinsulted.Hegrowlsviciouslyanduseshisinnateabilitytoputfearinto thegroup.Thomurrayautomaticallyfailshissaveandflees,hidingbehindanearbyrock.Have thePCssavevs.spelltoavoidthesamereaction.Tothosewhosucceed,Inajiraasks,Doyou wantmyaidornot? WithassurancesthatthePCswillcooperate,hecontinues. //Ifyouseektostrikeablowagainstalich,thenyoumustknowthatknowledgeisthe keytosuccess.Alittleknowledgeofalittlethingcanprovetobethedownfallofalich. Whatisitthatalichhidesfromalltheworld,athingmoresacrosanctthanevenits phylactery?Puzzlethatout,andyouwillhaveaweaponofgreatpower.// Azalinssecretishistruename,FiranZalhonan,whichthePCsmayknowiftheyplayed FromtheShadows.LethemfigurethatAzalinstruenameisthekey,eveniftheycantremember exactlywhatitwas.Iftheygetthatfar,theDMmaycallforanIntelligencechecktorecallit. EnterStrahd WhenthePCsandInajirahaveconcludedtheirbusiness,readthefollowing.

//Inajirasays,Ifallgoeswell,Ishallsoonbegone!Bestrongandresolute,andbeware ofStrahdvonZarovich.Andmovequickly!Untilthatbookisinmyhands,weareallathis mercy,butonceyoureturnittome Youwoulddestroythem,Inajira,claimsavoiceofftotheleft.ItisStrahd! Killhim,screamsInajira,orwerelost! No!countersStrahd,hishandformingafist.Iamtheonlyonewhocansaveusall! Togetherwemustdestroythatfiendfromthelowerplanes!// ThreeActionsareoutlinedbelow.AllresultinStrahdbeingseverelywounded,atwhich pointthenexttextshouldberead.Inanyevent,ifAnebrounwasnotinvitedalong,sheswoops downfromthetreesandtakeshernaturalform.Inanyevent,shecriesout,Strahdisourally, worthyheroes!Destroythefiend! Action1:IfthePCsattacktheyugoloth,thenStrahd,Anebroun,andThomurrayjoin them.(SeetheNPCsummaryforstats.)InajiraconcentrateshisattackexclusivelyuponStrahd, ignoringthePCs.Hesinvokedaglobeofinvulnerabilitybeforeshowingup,soheshouldbeable towithstandagreatdealofpunishment.TheDMshouldmanipulatethebattlesothatStrahdis hurtverybadly,veryquicklybythefiend.Whenthevampireiscloseto0hitpoints,readthe nexttext. Action2:IfthePCsattackStrahd,Inajirajoinsthem,butAnebrouninsists,Wait!The fiendisourenemy!Dontbefooledbyhim!StrahddirectshisattacksatInajira,andsodoes Anebroun.WhenStrahdisbadlyhurt,readthefollowingtext. Action3:IfthePCsdonothing,InajiraattacksStrahd,woundinghimseriously. AnebrounattacksInajira,butshesunabletohurthimsignificantly.WhenStrahdhastaken severedamage: //Strahdsbodydoesntbleed,butitsbadlybrokenbytheintensebattle.Hisleftarmis snappedintwoplaces,andhisclothingispartedbydeepcutsthatslicedintoskin,too.Fear replaceshisnormalexpressionofauthorityasInajiracontinuestothrashathimmercilessly. Finally,thevampirelordfallsbacktothegroundandInajiratowersoverhim.Thefiendroarsin victory,shakingthegroundbeneathyourfeet.Hebareshisterribleteethandthengleefully crouchesoverStrahd,preparingtocrushStrahdsthroat. Withalast,feeblebreath,Strahdblurtsoutastrangeword,Arcanalothatum!Inajira freezes,thenbeginstoshakeviolently.Thefiendhowlsinagonyandfallstohiskneesasa shimmeringlightengulfshim.Theilluminationbrightenstoablindingflash,andthenheis gone.// IfthePCsattempttofinishhimoff,Strahdtakesgaseousform.Agustofwindspell reduceshimto0hitpointsandteleportshimbacktohiscoffinunderCastleRavenloft.Ifthisis thecase,thenthefollowingtextmustbepostponeduntiljustbeforethePCsreachVallaki,when Strahdwillinterceptthemandcontinuetheencounter. IfthePCsdonotattackStrahd(Anebrounwillpleadforthis),Strahdproducesapotionof healinganddrinksitbeforecontinuing. //Iknowwevecrossedswordsinthepast,saysStrahd,butwemustputasideour differences,fornowourcausesarelinked. Listentohim,saysAnebroun.Remember,hecametoouraidatthecastle,andweare strongenoughtodefeathimnowifheattemptssometreachery.Letushearwhathehastosay! Imeanyounoharm,promisesthevampire.Infact,Iwantonlytohelpyoucomplete yourquest.WemustreversetheGrandConjunction.ImustreturntotheplacewhereIreign unchallenged,andAzalinmustbesentbacktowherehebelongs.Indeed,youhavereleased

manylordsfromthelandofthemists,andevennowtheyarewreakingterroruponmany worlds.// ThisisanotherencounterwherethePCsshouldtaketheleadinaskingquestions.The DMshouldbepreparedtotakethequeriesinwhateverordertheyrebroached.Likelyquestions areposedbelow. Whyareyouhelpingus? Inthelandofthemists,IamlordoverallIsurvey,buthereinthe...realworld,Iam vulnerable,asyoucansee.Strahdgesturesathiswounds.Soonerorlater,Inajirawillreturn, andhiswrathwillbebentuponallofus.Wemustjoinforcestodefeathim. Thetruth:StrahdwantsthePCstobringtheholyrelicstohimsohecandestroythem.He alsowantsthePCstotraveltothepastandfulfillHyskosasHexad,assuringtheintegrityofthe GrandConjunction. Whyshouldwehelpyou? BecauseImtheonlythingthatstandsbetweenyouandthewrathofAzalin.Whenhes finishedhispreparations,hellcomeforallofus.HereAzalinmaybemorepowerfulthanIam, sowemustjointogethertodefeathim. HowdidyoudefeatInajira? Iwasforcedtousehiswordofbanishmentuponhim.Unfortunately,itonlyworks once.AsIhavesaid,hellbeback. WhereistheBookofKeeping? Itssafelylockedinavaultinmyfamilycrypt,belowCastleRavenloft.Ifyouretrieve theHolySymbol(andtheIcon)fromAzalinandbringittothecastle,Illtakeyoutothevault. WellretrievethebookandthenforceInajiratoreturnthequeentous.Hellcomplythatbook meanseverythingtohim. WhydontyouhelpusassailAzalin? Weneedhiscooperation,andmypresencewillonlyinspiretheoppositeinAzalin. Thisstatementistrue,butStrahdhasplansforotherthingswhilethePCsarebusy. WhatdoweneedAzalinscooperationfor? Tosendyoubackintimetochangehistory,asthelichhasalreadydoneonce,andtoset thingsrightagain.Thatstheonlysolution,theonlywaytostoptheGrandConjunction. Thisisapartiallie;changinghistorywillsetthingsrightforStrahd.PCswhocastdetect liewillgetmixedsignalsfromthisstatementandbeunabletotellifStrahdislyingornot. HowdowegetAzalintocooperate? TellhimthatIvetaughtyouhowtohidehisphylacteryforeverthatoughttogethis attention.ThendemandtheHolySymbol(andtheIcon)ofhiminreturnforthesecretofits location.Hellagreebecausehethinksthathecantaketheholyrelicsbackafterhehashis phylactery.Hesright,buthelldependuponyournobleinnocencetoblindyoutothat. Thedemandthathesendyoubackintimeaswell.Tellhimyouwishtokillmewhile Imstillhumanhelllikethatalot. Whatarewetodointhepast?

YoucannotgobacktotheeveofmybrothersweddingandpreventtheHolySymbol fromleavingthecastle.Azalinwillneveragreetothat.Instead,youmustreturntothedayI struckmypactwithInajiraanddisruptourbargain.Hopefully,thiswillaccomplishtwo objectives:First,ifthepactisnevermade,thenInajirawillhavenoclaimuponme.Second,itwill fulfillthefifthverseofHyskosasHexad,completingtheprophecyoutoforderandcausingthe GrandConjunctiontocollapse. Withgoodluck,whenyoureturntothepresent,AzalinandIwillbebackwherewe belongandyoullremainhere,intherealworld.Or,perhaps,Illbelongdead,forthefiends pacthelpedmakemewhatIam. Howdowepreventthepactfrombeingsealed? YouveheardmeuseInajiraswordofbanishment:Arcanalothatum.Althoughitworks onlyonce,Iwillnothaveusedityetinthepast,soInajirawillbevulnerabletoit. Youmustuseitinhisdirectpresenceitisntenoughtoshoutitwithinearshot.And thismaybedifficult,forIpostedguardaroundmytentwhenIconductedbusinesswiththe fiend. Whathappenedinthepast? Itsalongstory,butIwilltellyousomeofit.WhenIwasahumangeneralfightingfor thefreedomofBarovia,I...Isufferedfrommomentsofselfdoubt.Onenight,beforeaparticularly hopelessbattle,aconjurercametomewiththeBookofKeepingandtoldmethatIcouldachieve easyvictorywithit.Foolishly,Iagreedtousethebook.Inajiracame,andIagreedtoservehis mastersiftheywouldgrantmethethroneofBarovia. Later,whenIwasking,Irenouncedthepact.Inajirawouldhavecomeforme,butI escapedtothelandofthemists,whichishiddenevenfromtheeyesofthegods,sothefiend couldneverfindme. Now,Iwishtoreturntomyhomeorbedeadandgone,butIdonotwantmyspiritto fallintothehandsofthatfiend! Howdoweshieldthephylactery? Youcant,reallynotforlong,anyway.Butagoodbluffisbetterthannothing,andyou canmakethephylacterydisappearfromhissenseswiththehelpofthewizardess.Hepointsat Anebroun.HerpowerisnearlyequaltothatofAzalin.IhaveascrollthatcontainsaspellthatI cannotcast,butthatshecan.Whenshereadsthescrollandtouchesthephylactery,itwillbe placedintoamagicalpocketfarbelowthesurfaceoftheearth.ToAzalinssenses,itwillhave disappeared. However,sincehewillnotabruptlydie,hewillknowthatitstillexistssomewhere,and hewilleventuallyfindit.Hopefully,youllhavefulfilledyourmissionbeforethathappens. StrahdgivesthescrolltoAnebroun,whoreadsitquietlytoidentifyit.Ahh,excellent spell,sheconcludes.Ibelieveitwillwork. WhenthePCshaveaskedforandreceivedallimportantinformation: //Strahdlooksyouoverwiththeairofacommandersendinghistroopstobattle.Im confidentinyourabilitytoaccomplishthismission,hesays. Tofindmeinthepast,concentrateuponInajiraandthelandsthatsurroundCastle Ravenloft.Thereisonlyonepointintimewhenthosetwothingsintersect,andthatthoughtwill carryyoutothatpoint. Strahdlooksaroundhim,atthemistthathidestheworldfromview,andthensays, Whenyoureturnfromthepast,Iexpectyouwillseethesunagain.AzalinandIwilleitherbe

backintheshadowlands,oraltogethergone.QueenKristianaandKingBarovwillagainsiton theirthrones,fornoneofthiswillhavehappened.Andyouwillbefreeofthecursethatsbeen laiduponyourshoulders. Goodluck!Imustreturntothecastle.Imwearyandthedaylightistaxingme. Thevampirechangesintoabatandfliesoff.// UsingAzalinsphylactery,thePCswillfindtheirwaytoVallakiandthentothecemetery. TheDMshouldcontinuetocheckforminorconjunctionsastheyproceed(80%chanceperhour).

AzalinsCryptLair
Azalinscryptlairconsistsofnumerousroomsonthreelevelsandshouldberunasa typicaldungeoncrawl.Ofcourse,theDMshouldmaintainthefeelofimpendingdoom throughouttheencounter. Thelittleghostgirlmakesabriefappearancebeforethepartydescendsintothelair.She peeksatthemfrombehindanearbytombstone.Shedefinitelywontfollowthemintothelair.By thistime,herskinlookspatchyandwrinkled,hereyesdim,andherhairlooksdryandbrittle. EventhoughAzalinarrivedinPrimeMaterialBaroviawiththePCs,hisminionshave actuallybeenatworkfornearlyfourcenturies.InFromtheShadows,thewomanwhometthePCs outsideofCastleRavenloft(onthenighttheyremovedtheHolySymbolfromthepremises,385 yearsinthepast)wasoneofAzalinsmanyrecruits.Thus,thelairwaswaitingwhenAzalin arrivedinPrimeMaterialBarovia.Centurieslater,whenAzalinmetthePCsinbattleat NevucharSprings,hehadasmallarmyofminionshiddeninthewoods,carryingmany furnishingsforhisnewhome.AsthePCstookhisphylacteryintothemists,theminionsfollowed. Then,whenAzalintookpossessionofabodyandfledthePCsatthestartofthisadventure,he wentstraighttoarendezvouswiththoseminionsandledthemtothepreparedcrypt. ArrivalontheScene TheresnosignofLucian(seetheVallakisection,Area4)whenthePCsarrive.Mostof thegraveyardisnowunearthedfromthebottomup,butafewgravesremainintact,andtheDM mayopttointroduce1d6+5Strahdzombies(RAVENLOFTboxedset)beforethepartyenters themausoleum.Theeyesofthephylacteryburnfuriouslyasthecharactersapproachthe building. AllundeadinthelairareturnedasalichbecausetheyreonAzalinshometurf.Also,all undeadhaveglowingeyes,promptingfearchecksatthebeginningofeachroundforallPCswho lookatthem.Itspossibletoavoidacheckbynotlookingintotheeyesofaminion,butthePC mustdeclaresuchanintent.Eventhentheresa20%chanceofcatchingtheminionseye.Attack rollsfromPCsavoidingeyecontactaremadewith2penalties. AzalinsCondition WhenthePCsreachthedoorsofthecrypt,theyshouldberemindedofhowmuchtime haspassedsinceAzalintookpossessionofanewbody.Intruth,itdoesntmatterwhethertheso calledthreedaydeadlinehasexpired;AzalinwillbecompletelyreadyforthePCswhenthe findhim.Remindingtheadventurersofthedeadlineputspressureonthemiftheyrerunning outoftimeandputsfearintothemiftimehasalreadyrunout. Normally,alichwouldberequiredtorestthreedaysfollowingtheinhabitation,but Azalinhasgainedsignificantknowledgeeventhoughhewasunabletogainanymorepowerin Ravenloft.WhenAzalinescapedthedemiplaneofdread,heexperiencedamindbogglingpower rushthatrestoredhimtofullpotencyafterafewhoursofdisorientation.Ingameterms,he regainedhisfullspellrepertoirealmostimmediately. ThedisappearanceofthephylacterywithAnebrounsscrollwillpuzzleAzalin,buthe knowsitmustbesafe(orhedbedead).ThelichunderstandsthePCswilltrytobringhis phylacterytogetherwiththeholyrelicsonthealtaratCastleRavenloft.HealsoknowsStrahd willtrytointerceptthem.Therefore,AzalinwillallowthePCstokillhisbody,whichwill placehisspiritbackintothephylactery(seetheBacktoCastleRavenloft).WhenStrahd confrontsthePCs,AzalinplanstoattempttotakepossessionofStrahdsbodyandentrapthe

vampirelordinhisphylactery.ThenAzalinwillkillthePCsusinganymeansnecessaryandhe willdestroytheholyrelics,foreverlockingopenthegatesofRavenloft. Level1 Theresa5%chanceperhourofaminorconjunctionoccurringanywhereinthelair,but ifthePCsattempttorestanywhereotherthanArea16onLevel2,assigna1in6chanceperturn foraminorconjunction(wanderingmonster). ThemausoleumconfrontingthePCsstands15feethigh,30feetacross,and20feetdeep. Weatherandtimehavetakentheirtolluponthecrypt,wearinghardcornersintosmoothcurves. 1.CryptDoor Thedoorislocked,butthelockisasimpleone,earningaroguecharactera+20%bonus tothechanceofpickingit. 2.EntryRoom&Stairs Thisareaservesasashelterforthestairsthatleadtothecryptbelow.Thewallsofthe entryroombearmanynames,apparentlyofthosewhoareburiedhere.Thereare18namesinall, andnonearefamiliartothePCs.Attheapexofthearchwayoverthestepsisaplaquethatbears wordsyoucanbarelymakeout:InDarknesstheLightIsEverBrighter. Thestairway,directlyacrossfromtheentrance,stretches30feetdownintodarkness. Thereareunlittorchesflankingthearchwayofthestairway.Theareaisquitedusty,andthere aremanysetsoffootprintsonthefloor.Mostarehumanoid,butsomeareunidentifiable. Thestairsaremadeofstone.Alongthewallsarebronzerailings,designedtosupporta coffin,setafootabovethesteps.Therearealsoseveralleatherstrapsandalargeharnessonthe firststair,probablytosupportcasketsastheyarelowereddownthestairs. WhenthePCsshinealightdownthesteps,Lucianclimbsupthestepstoattack.Hesa ghast(MCI/II)now,partiallydevouredbyotherundeadbeforehebecameonehimself.Ifthe PCsmethimintheVallakisectionanddontrespondappropriatelytothesight,havethemroll horrorcheckswith2penaltiesatthehorriblesightoftheiroldacquaintance. 3.CryptInnerDoor Thisdoubledoorismadeofbronzeandis6feethighandwide.Thelockhastwo keyholes;oneineachdoor,requiringdifferentkeys.Thehingesareontheothersideofthedoor. Assessa30%penaltytolockpickingattempts.Twosuccessfulbendbars/liftgatesrollswill bucklethedoorsufficientlytoforceitopen.Ifonelockispicked,thenonlyonebendbars/lift gatesrollisrequiredtoopenthedoors. 4.ChildrensCryptRoom Sevenchildsizedstonecasketsarehere.Thenameofeachchildiscarvedatthefootof thecasketsnonearefamiliar,exceptthattheyappearamongthenamesintheentryroom. Ifanyofthecoffinsisdisturbed,thepitifulcryofaninfantrisesfromthecaskets, promptingahorrorcheckwitha2penalty.Theeffectismerelyanaudibleillusionplacedinthe roombyAzalin,designedtoscareanyonewhointrudesuponhislair.Thecryingceaseswhenall charactersleavetheroom.Theresnothingofvalueinanyofthecaskets. 5&6.CryptRooms Thereareafewwoodencasketsherethathavebeenbuiltwithexceptionalexpenseand care,buttheresnothingparticularlyspecialaboutanyoneburiedinthesetworooms.Atthe

DMsoption,anyinhabitantofthecasketsmayriseasaStrahdzombie(RAVENLOFTboxed set)andattackthegroup. 7.HauntedCryptRoom Uponenteringthisareawhichholdssevenstonetombs,atremendouscoldwashesover theparty.Torchesburnbrighter,yettheheattheyprovideshrinksaway.Theresasmokyodorin theairthatcarriesahintofincense.WhenthePCsenter,readthenexttext. //Agrindingsoundfromtheendoftheroomdrawsyourattention,wherethelidofthe stonecasketagainstthenorthwallrisesslowlybeforeyoureyes.Whenithasopenedjustacrack, amistpoursfromtheslitandassumestheshapeofanelderlymaninpriestlyrobes.Hisformis grayandsmoky,buthispiercingredeyesseemquitereal.// InstructthePCstomakeafearcheckinresponsetotheeyes,thenallowthosewho successfullysavetoreact.Iftheyattack,rollforinitiativeandproceedwithabattle.Thecreature isaghost(MCI/II).IfthePCswaitortrytospeaktotheghost,readthefollowing. //Theghostsmouthopensandsilkywordsfloattoyourears.Deepsyllablesechointhe airashesays,Giveordertotheprophecyandthedoorwillbeopentoyou.Hedissipatesand thecoffinlidcloses.// IfthePCsopenthecoffin,theghostreformsandattacks.Iftheydefeatit,theyfindthe dustyskeletonofahumaninpriestsrobesinsidethecoffin.Alsopresentisaflatstoneabout4 inchesindiameter,withintricatewritingonitssurface.Itisaperiaptoffoulrotting. 8.HalloftheProphecy Thisarealiesbehindasolidwall.Itisntasecretdoortheresnohiddenlatchtoopen it.ThePCsmustbreakthroughthewall.Thephylacteryseyesburnredhotwhenpointed towardArea8. Whenthewallisbrokendown,readthefollowing. //Amoldystenchissuesintotheroomfromthechamberbeyond.Pureevilwithin radiatesoutwardandpresseslikecoldhandsagainstyourthroat.Throughthethickdustof brokenmortar,acheerlessbluegreenfirelightburnsontheothersideofthewall,daringyouto enter.... Thomurraylooksatallofyou.Asthequeensaid,thephylacteryhasledustothelichs den.Nowwemustconcealthecurseditemuntilthelichmeetsourdemands. Anebrounsays,Illreadthescrollnow.Totakeitanyfurtheristoputthephylactery intothelichshands.Holditbeforeme.// IfthePCsrefusetoletAnebrounhavetheskull,shestayswiththegroupuntilachance arisestoambushthecharactercarryingtheitem.Thenshetakesitandteleportsoutofthelair. Iftheyresistgivinguptheskull,bothThomurrayandAnebrountrytoconvincethePCs thattakingthephylacteryintoAzalinslairisasfoolishanideaasonecanhave. ReadthefollowingifandwhenthePCsholdoutthephylacteryforAnebroun. //Anebroununrollsthescrollandutterscomplexwordsthatblurinyourears,sounds toodifficulttounderstand.Withaspark,thescrolldisappearsinapuffofwhitesmoke,leavinga

perceptibleglowonAnebrounshands.Quickly,shetouchestheskullanditdisappearswith anotherflash. Thenshehandseachofyouasmalltopaz.Iveenchantedthesewithaspellthatwill bringyoutomeifyouholdthemanduttermyname.Ifyoufallintojeopardy,usethemto escape.However,yourmissionisclear.Usethemonlyifyouhavenootherhope. Illwaitforyouinthechurchabove.Takeyourtimeandstayalive!Goodluck!Witha lastlook,sheturnsandleaves.// Thestonesareactuallyworthlessglass,holdingnomagic.Anebrounmerelywishesto ensurethatthePCswontmakehercomewiththem.Iftheyinsistonherjoiningthem,shell reluctantlyagreeandthenteleportoutofthelairassoonasthePCsareoccupied. Area8holdssixcaskets,eachofwhichholdsonesixthofadiskthatlooksliketheHoly SymbolofRavenkindwhenputtogether.EachdiskpieceisinscribedwithaversefromHyskosas Hexad,andeachcasketcontainsamonsterthatrepresentstheadventureinwhichtheversewas fulfilled.Azalinhascasttemporalstasisuponeachmonsterandsetthespelltoendthemoment eachcoffinlidisraised.Themonstersinsidewereallcaughtinthemidstofanattackwhen Azalincaughtthem,sotheyspringfromthecoffinreadytofight.ThePCscanavoidrollingfor surpriseiftheydeclareanintenttobeprepared,butallmonstersarestillentitledtotheir initiativerolls. Thecenteroftheareacontainssixtorcheslitwithcoldflames.Removingtheflaresfrom theirsconcescausestheflamestogoout,buttheyrelightifreplacedintheirholders. CoffinAcontainsagreaterwolfwere(MCRL)intheformofabeautifulhumanfemale.She immediatelythanksthePCsforreleasingher,introducesherselfasTalashathebard,andbegins tosingasongoflethargy.Whenthepartyisslowedorifitattacksher,sheturnsintohalfwolf formandattacks. Thepartofthediskinthiscasketreads: InthehouseofDaegonthesorcererborn, Throughlife,unlife,unlivingshallscorn. CoffinBholdsabowlyn(MCRL).Thediskpiececontainedinthiscoffinsays: Thelifelesschildofsternmotherfound Heraldsatime,nightofevilunbound. CoffinCcontainsagreatermummy(MCRL).Itsdiskpartsays: Seventhtimethesonofsunsdothrise, Tosendtheknavetoaneternityofcries. CoffinDholdsazombielord(MCRL),anditsdiskpiecereads: Thelightoftheskyshiningoverthedead Shallgutterandfail,turningalltored. CoffinEcontainsavampire(MCI/II)whohasbeenalteredbyAzalintolooklikeStrahd. However,itsonlyacommonvampire.Thedisksegmentinthatcoffinreads: Thebodilessshalljourneytothetimebefore, Wherehappinesstohatecreateslandandlore. CoffinFhasnomonsterinit,forthisverseoftheprophecyhasnotbeenfulfilled.Theboxholds onlythediskpart,whichreads:

Inajirawillmakehisfortunesreverse, Doomingalltolivewiththedreadedcurse. Atthewestendofthischamberisalargetomb(10feetwideby15feetlong)carvedfrom thefinestqualitymarble.Therearemanymysticalsymbolscarveduponthelidofthetombas wellasaninscriptionthatreadsAneternalrestyieldseverlastinglife.Anypriestcanidentify themarkingsasevil.LiftingthelidrequiresacombinedStrengthof40.Itcanwithstand125 pointsofdamagefrombluntweaponsaswell.Thomurrayhelpstoopenthecryptinwhatever waythePCsattempt. Readthefollowingwhenthetombisopened. //Withinthestonecryptliesacoffinmadeofshinyblackwood,withgoldhandlesonits sideandwitheredgrayroseslyingonthelid.Theboxisimmaculateandshiny;youcanclearly seethefinegrainofthewood. Suddenly,ahandreachesthroughthelidandseizesThomurraybythethroat!Then Azalinrisesthroughthelidandascendsintotheair,carryingthepriestwithhimandstaringat you.ThomurrayshuddersviolentlyinAzalinsgrasp,unabletoscream.Hisskinbeginstodry andtightenoverhisbones,crackingandthenpeelingaway.Hishands,hanginglimp,shrinkto skeletalclaws.Hiseyesrollbackintohishead.Thenhisshoesfalloffandhitthestonefloorwith anaudiblethumpthumpthatechoesinyourears. Withhisotherhand,thelichholdsouttheHolySymbolofRavenkind,tauntingyouwithit. Hesays,Greetings,slaves!Lookingforthis?Well,comeandgetit! AzalindropsthehuskofThomurraysbodyonthefloorandbeginstowavehishands.// Rollforfearandhorrorchecks,thensurprise,theninitiative.Thisisactuallyanillusion ofAzalin.AslongasthePCsbelieveheisreal,theillusionaryAzalinfightsandinflictsreal damage.Itcanevensummonminionstohelpdefendit.IfanyofthePCsshoutoutthename FiranZalhonan,theillusionisunaffected(itdoesntknowithasasecretname).Shouldanyof thepartydoubttheillusionsveracity,theimagedissipateswithacackle,saying,Docomein andgettoknowtherealme.... SeetheNPCsummaryforAzalinsstats.DefeatinganillusionaryAzalinisworthonly 3,000experiencepoints. AftertheillusionaryAzalinisdefeatedordisbelieved,thepiecesofthediskmustbeput intoacircularrecessinthebottomofthecoffin,inorder(clockwiseAtoF),whilerecitingthe versecarvedoneachasitisputin.Doingsomakesthepiecesglow.IfthePCsseemunableto comeupwiththesolution,allowthemtomakeWisdomchecksforasmallcluetosendthemin therightdirection,likeareminderoftheghostswordsinArea7. Whenthepuzzleissolvedandthekeyassembledinthecoffinrecess,thesecretdooron thesouthwallslidesdown,revealingthestepsleadingdowntoLevel2.Thisisanentiresection ofthewallanddoesnotappeartobeadoor,evenundertheclosestscrutiny. ThePCsmaydiscoverthesecretdooronthewestsideofthechamber,leadingtoArea9, whichopenssimplybyapplyingforcetothewall.Thedoorpivotsonacentralrod. 9.TrapRoom Thischambercontainsfivewoodenandfivemetalchests.Allofthemappearquiteold andhaveathicklayerofdustonthem.Eachchestissetwithatrappedlockappropriaterolls tofindandremovethemshouldbemadeforeach.Ifanyrollisfailed,theDMshouldturnto Table51:PoisonStrength,intheDMG.Roll1d4:Onarollof1,theclassofpoisonisAD;onaroll of2,theclassisEH;onarollof3,theclassisIL;andonarollof4,theclassisMP.Thenroll 1d4asecondtime:Onarollof1,theclassisA,E,I,orM,dependinguponthefirstrollofthedie;

arollof2indicatesB,F,J,orN;andsoon.Ifthemethodisinjected,asmallneedlepiercesthe openersfinger;ifthemethodisingested,apowderspraysforthandanyonewithin5feetmust save;ifthemethodiscontact,asappyliquidleaksontotheopenersskin. Eachchestcontains1d100gp,1d4gemsworth200gpapiece,andamessagescrawledin thebottom.Asthepartyopenseachchest,readthefollowingmessagesinorder(regardlessof whichchestisactuallyopened): 1.Thisisnotthebigfind. 2.Keeplooking. 3.Wrongagain! 4.Youregettingcloser. 5.Thisisntthebigoneeither. 6.Keeplookingforthebigreward. 7.Thisisntit. 8.Almostgottherightonethistime. 9.Notdeadyet?Tryagain! 10.Greedyfool! Ifthe10thchestisopened,thesecretdoorslamsshutandbecomeswizardlocked.Azalin hascastaspeciallichspellontheroom,calledKnoslirascrypt(seeVanRichtensGuidetotheLich forspecifics);Overthenextfiverounds,alllightsourcesintheroommagicalandotherwise dimtocompletedarkness,andamustysmellofdeathpermeatestheair.Allcharactersmust makefearandhorrorchecks.Thosewhofailtheirrollsbecomeirrational,strikingoutatany noiseinthedarkness. 10.TangledTunnel Tenfeetdownthestairs,atangledmassofvinescompletelyobscuresthetunnel.The vinesandrootsbeginassimple,stonereliefcarvingsagainstthewallimmediatelybehindthe door.At5feetdownthetunnel,thepartstone,partplantvinesandrootsbegintoprojectout fromthewall.At10feetfromthedoorway,theallplantrootsandvineshaveformedan impenetrablemassthatblockswhatremainsofthetunnel. Runningdownthecenterofthestepsarerunesthatradiateagoldenhue.Theyinflict10 pointsofdamageatthebeginningofeachrounduponanyoneonthestairs.Theaffected individualfeelsajoltingpainthroughouthisorherbodythathasnoapparentsourceupon enteringthetunnel.Thecastingofdispelmagicnegatestheeffectsoftherunesfor1d4rounds. Vigorouschoppingatthevineswithanedgedweaponclears5feetofthetunnelper round(thereis20feetofblockedpassageway),butthechoppermustrollasuccessfulsaving throwvs.paralyzationeachroundorbeunabletowithstandthepainandfleethetunnel.The castingofaplantdoorspellpartsthevines. 11.GolemChamber //Asyourfeethitthefloorofthisdankroom,achillcreepsupyourlegslikeicyfingers seekingtopullyoudown.Itscolddownherecoldasdeathanddim.Thewallsseemto leachthelightfromfourtorchesbeforeyouthatburnwithabluishhaze.Thetorchessurrounda bonewhitestatueofawomancarvedinexquisitedetail,cladwithsilverplatemail.Sherestson onekneeandstarescoldlyatyourentrance.// Ifthestatuewerestanding,itwouldmeasure6feethigh.Itssituatedonaonefoothigh squarepedestalthatoccupiesthecenterofthearea.Evilsymbols,allglowinggold,adornthe sidesofthepedestal.Ateachcornerofthepedestalisatorchatthetopofa5foothighrod.The torchesburnsilentlyandwithoutheat,castingabluegreenflame.

Thestatueisaspecialbonegolem(MCRL)wearingplatemailarmor(AC1).Ifanyone setsfootuponthepedestal,thegolemanimatesandattacks. Theresadoorontheeast,south,andwestwallsofthischamber.SeeArea1oftheLevel 2mapformoredetails. Level2 Manyofthechambersonthislevelhaveasoftspotonthefloorthatleads3feetdownto anetworkofnarrowtunnelsthatarefilledwithwarm,murkywater.Thesoftspotsmoveina hypnoticpatternsthatdrawstheattentionofanyonewhocomeswith5feetofthem.Ifavictim failsasavingthrowvs.spell,heorshemovestothespotandstepsontoit. Thespotsfunctionmuchlikequicksand,soanyonewhostepsononeimmediatelydrops intothefloor,tothewaist,andthencontinuestosinkattherateof1footperround(threerounds tocompleteenvelopment).Characterswhocometotheaidofatrappedindividualmustfirstroll asavingthrowtoavoidthehypnoticpatternandthenmakeaDexteritycheckwitha2penaltyto avoidslippingandfallingintothetrapwhilepullingthevictimfree. Thetunnelsareinhabitedbythreemorkoths(MCI/II)wholiveinArea21.APCwho fallsintoatrapisattackedin1d4rounds.Thosewhocannotsurvivewithoutairhavea50% chancetofindanairpocketalongtheceilingofthetunnelwhichcansustainaPCfor1d6rounds. (SeeHoldingYourBreathinthePHB.) 1.EntranceChamber ThisspaceisthesameasArea11onthemapofLevel1.Thecutstonewallsare featurelessandtheentireareaiscoveredindust.Azalinhascastvacancytomakethe20footby 20footroomappearso. 2.MossColony Asthedoortothischamberisopened,avile,rottingvegetablestenchfillsArea1anda brownishslimeseepsoutoftheopening.Themorethatcomesout,thegreaterthestench. Anyonewhotouchestheoozewithbareskinsuffers1d10pointsofdamageperroundfrom exposuretoavolatilebacteriawithintheooze.Itsquitestickyandclingstoanythingthat touchesit.TheDMshouldcheckforpossiblecontactwithPCswhowalkintheoozeandthen attempttoremoveitfromtheirperson.Thesubstancecanbewipedorwashedoff,butitsodor lingerslikethatofaskunkfor1d4days.EnteringtheroomrequiresaConstitutioncheckwitha 1penaltytoavoidbecomingnauseous,whichlasts1d6turns.Affectedcharacterssuffera2 penaltytoalldicerolls. Theoozewithinthechamberis2inchesdeep.Buriedundertheoozethroughoutthe roomarepreciousgemsandjewelry.Each10footsquaresectionoftheroomcontains5000gp worthofsuchtreasure.Atorchbroughtintotheroomyieldsa50%chancetonoticethetreasure, andamagicallightsourceraisesthechanceto75%. 3.TrapperRoom Fromthedoorway,atablecanbeseenagainstthesouthwall.Onthetablearethreelarge booksarrangedinaneatrow.Twoemptysilvercandleholdersflankthebooks. ThetableandtheitemsaremeanttolurethePCsintotheroom.Theresaspecialtrapper (lurkeraboveMCI/II)locatedonthefloor,alteredslightlybylichmagictomakethecreature moreaggressive.Withthisparticularcreature,apersonneednotwalktothecenteroftheroom forthecreaturetotakeaction,butmerelysetfootinsidethearea.Thetrapperimmediatelyseizes thefootandlowerlegofwhoeversteppedonitanddoesntletgo.Thenthemonsterpullsinthe restofitsvictimuntilthewholebodyiswithinitsgrasp,andthenclosesuponhimorher.

PullingfreeofthetrapperrequiresacombinedStrengthof30,butthevictimmustmakea Dexteritycheckwitha2penaltyinthefirstroundtoavoidfallingintothecreaturesgrasp.On thesecondround,thepenaltyrisesto3;itcontinuestoincrease1perrounduntilthevictimis eitherfreedorfalls.Meanwhile,thetrappercreepsupthevictimsleg,strengtheningitshold. Foreachroundoftuggingagainstthetrapper,thevictimsuffers1d10pointsofstressdamage fromtheviolentyankingneededtopullaway.Ifthevictimispulledin,allothercharacterswho weretryingtopullhimorherfreemustmaketheirownDexteritycheckstokeeptheirbalance. Assoonasacharacteriscaughtbythetrapper,holdanyfurtheractionuntilthe followingisread. //Acrosstheroom,onthetable,aflamespringstolifeaboveeachcandleholder,asif invisiblecandleshavebeenmagicallylit.Thecentralbookflipsopenandthepagesturnoftheir ownaccordtothemiddleofthetome.Then,ahorriblydisfiguredspectrerisesfromthebook andleersatyouwithatwistedsmile.Itraisesitsmilkywhiteclawtowardyouandbeginsto floatacrosstheroom!// AttheDMsoption,fearandhorrorcheckscanbecalledfor.Ifthecaughtvictimfailsthe roll,heorshepanicsandfallsintothetrapper.Theghostisonlyanillusion,butthecrisisathand preventsthePCsfromdetectingitassuch,eveniftheydeclaretheintentiontodoso.Theghost reachesthePCsintworounds,passesrightthroughthemwithanicychill,thenfloatsthrough Area1,upthestairs,anddissipates. Thebooksareworthlessvolumes.AttheDMsoption,theymaybethegrimoiresof threemageskilledbyAzalininthepast.Eachcontains2d4spellsofLevels1through3.The silvercandlesticksareworth100speach. 4.LivingTapestries Therearetwotapestriesinthisarea.Theoneonthenorthwalldepictsalonetower situatedinadesolateenvironmentofsnowandice.Thetowerisdeepblackandcontrasts sharplyagainstthelandscape.Thesouthtapestrydepictsathickswampland. //Thefloortoceilingtapestriesarecoveredwithdust,yettheircolorsremainbrilliant, sointricateistheirweave.Thehalfoftheroomnearestthetowertapestryfeelscold,asifthe snowswouldspilloutofthesceneandontothefloor,andthehalfoftheroomnearesttheswamp iswarmandsmellsrank.Ifyoulookawayandthenback,theleavesoftheundergrowtheven seemtoshiftasifahumidbreezewereblowingthroughthem.// Thesearelivingtapestries,avariationofthelivingwallthatappearsintheBookofCrypts (9336).Thelichhastrappedawizard,whohassincegoneinsane,inthetowerofthenorthwall tapestry.Inthesouthwalltapestryarefourstrangleweeds(plant,carnivorousMCI/II). Ifanycharacterwalkswithin5feetoftheswamptapestry,thestrangleweedsattack, attemptingtodrawthevictimsintothetapestrywiththem.UnlessthePCsdeclareanintentto bewareofattacksfromthetapestries,theirsurpriserollsreceiveapenaltyof2.Oneroundlater, anicestormhitstheroom,peltingthecharacterswithhailstones.Awizardcanbeseenatahigh windowintheblacktower,lookingdownatthepartywithblazingeyes. Thosewhoarepulledintothetapestryareforevertrapped,barringawish.ThePCs cannotfightordefeatthemonsters,themselves,butmustdefeatthetapestriesinstead.Blunt weaponsdontdamagethecloth,butslashingweaponsandspellsdo.Destroyingthetapestries killstrappedPCs.

Livingtapestries(2):Intnil(0);AC8;MV0;HD15;hp120;THAC014(plants);#AT4;Dmgsee below;SAspells(wizard);SDnone;SZL;ML20;MR20%;ALCE;XP5,000each. TheplantsattackandinflictdamageasdetailedintheMONSTROUSCOMPENDIUMTM. Thewizardinflictsdamageasa12thlevelinvoker;hecanusethefollowingspellsonceperday: magicmissile(x2);icestorm;wallofice;coneofcold;Otilukesfreezingsphere. 5.AzalinsChallenge TheresanotherphantasmofAzalininthisarea,sittingonathroneagainstthewestwall. Alittorchoneachsideofthethronelightstheentirearea.However,thelichhasplacedasecond illusion,thisoneablankwall20feetacrosstheroomfromthedoorbetweenAreas1and4,so PCswhopeekthroughthedoorbeforeenteringsimplyseea20footby30footroom.PCswho detecttheillusionandcastdispelmagicbringdownthewall,revealingthefalseAzalinbehindit, buttheywastetheirspellthewalldissipateswhenanyonepasseswithin5feetofit. //Suddenlythewestwallglimmersandfadesaway,revealingathroneflankedby torchesandAzalinissittingthere! Ichallengeyou!hehissesyourway,hisdriedlipsdrawnbackinasinistersmile.I challengeyoutocatchme!IfevenoneofyousurvivesanamusingideaIshallreviveyouall andgiveyoutheHolySymbolofRavenkind(andtheIcon)! Now,touseaquaintmortalphrase,tagyoureit! Withthat,heraiseshisshriveledclawandsendsasprayoflightstreaksatyou....// Azalinloosesavolleyofmagicmissiles,directingatleastoneateachPC.Thisillusionis sorealthatcharactersmustmakeasuccessfulsavingthrowvs.spellwitha4penaltytodetectit. Thosewhofailareallowedasecondsavewithnopenaltyafteroneroundifotherswhosucceed announcetheirdiscovery,butiftheyfailthatroll,thennoonecanconvincethemthattheybattle aphantasm.Again,thisAzalinwontrespondtothenameFiranZalhonan. ThefalseAzalinwontleaveArea5,soitspossibletoflee.IfPCsfleebacktoArea4,the illusionisstilltherewhentheyreturn,waitingtoresumethebattle.(SeetheNPCsummary,p.6, forAzalinsstatsandspellsanillusoryAzalinisworth3,000experiencepoints.) 6.Corridors ReadthefollowingtothePCswhentheopenthedoortoArea6(oraftertheyrun throughitiftheyrefleeingAzalin). //Acold,mustywindblowsfromthedarkcavernsbelow.Thewallsofthetunnels, carvedoutofsolidrock,haveaslightgleamtothem.Youseethatthesurfacesarecoveredwitha thinlayerofslimewhichpullsatyourfeetasyouwalk,reluctantlylettinggoofyourbootswitha thicksuckingnoise.// Allthecorridorsofthislevelhavetheabovecharacteristics.Theslimeisneitherharmful norslick.PCswillhavenotroublemakingtheirwaythroughthecomplexbecauseofit,but theyllmakealotofnoiseastheywalkalong. 7.BalipursHome BalipurisawizardfromDarkonwhocommittedactsevilenoughtodrawtheattention andapprobationofAzalin.ThelichlordrewardedBalipurbyturninghimintoavassalich,a minorlich.AzalinpreparedapotionoftransformationforBalipurandthenentrappedhisspirit

inalargeruby(whichAzalinkeeps).BalipurdressesjustlikeAzalin,whichhismasterallows becauseitmakesthevassalichadecoy,sotheresa75%chancethatthePCswillthinkBalipuris Azalin. Balipurfunctionsasa10thlevelwizard,butheenjoysthefollowinglichabilities:Heis immunetocharm,cold,death,electricity,enfeeblement,insanity,polymorph,andsleepspells.Hes turnedasalich.Hiseyesglowred,likehismaster,promptingfearchecksinthosewholook uponhim(treatasagazeattack).Healsoexudesa5footradiusareaoffear(savevs.spellorflee for5d4rounds).Finally,hischillytouchinflicts1d4pointsofdamage(savevs.paralysisorbe slowedfor1d10rounds).IfBalipurisdefeated,hereturnstohisphylactery,justlikeareallich. (MoreinformationaboutvassalichescanbefoundinVanRichtensGuidetotheLich[9412].) Balipurschamberisnotslimecovered.Itisasmalllaboratorywherethevassalich experimentswiththedissectionofanimals.Heregretshistransformationtoanundeadcreature, whichhasspurredaninterestinbiology.Hescurrentlytryingtocreatewholeanimalsfromthe deadpartsofothers.Hesbegunbypracticingbehaviorcontrolonsmallanimalssohellbeable tocontrolhislatercreationsthespidersinhiscagesareexceptionallyaggressive.Balipurtosses hisfailedexperimentsintoArea8. Theresan85%chancethatBalipurknowsthePCsareapproachinghischambers,dueto thenoisefromtheslimycorridors.Inthatcase,hecastsinvisibilityandminorglobeof invulnerabilityonhimselfandthenopenshisspidercagesbeforethePCsentertheroom.His favoritetacticistocaststinkingcloudaroundhimselftokeepthefightersatbay(hedoesnt breathe,sothegasisnoproblemforhim). Balipur(vassalich,10thlevelwizard):Intexceptional(16);AC10(+3Dexbonus);MV12;HD5;hp 35;THAC017;#AT1;Dmg1d4;SAspells,chilltouch,gaze;MRnil;ALLE;XP1,500. Balipursspells(4/4/3/2/2):Burninghands,magicmissile,protectionfromgood,walloffog; invisibility,mirrorimage,stinkingcloud,web;dispelmagic,lightningbolt,slow;Evardsblacktentacles, minorglobeofinvulnerability;magicjar,passwall. Balipursspiders(20):Intanimal(1);AC6;MV12;HD1;hp8;#AT5;Dmg1d4;SApoisonous bite(classF);SDnone;MRnil;ALnil;SZT(1long);ML20;XP35each. 8.RefuseRoom ThisslimecoveredareacontainsthespareanimalpartsandbiologicalrefusethatBalipur generatesduringhisexperiments.Theroomcarriesanincrediblestenchastherearemanyparts thathaverottedandarenowservingashomesforvariousscavengingworms.PCsenteringthis roomshouldmakeaConstitutioncheckwitha2penalty.Thosewhofailbecomenauseousfor 2d6turns,suffering2penaltiestoallattackanddamagerolls. Theresaneootyugh(MCI/II)inthisroom. 9.GardenofDeath Insteadofslime,thischamberhasathickcoveringofvegetationonthefloors,walls,and ceiling.Inthenorthwestcorneroftheareatheresa4foothighmoundofvegetation.Embedded inthemoundisalongswordwithanornatelycarvedturquoisehandle,agoldenhilt,andasilver blade. Theswordradiatesmagicifdetectedforsinceithasbeenenchantedtoneverrustorwear. Althoughitscraftedfrompreciousmetals,thebladeisbadlymade.Itseightpoundsofweight (twicenormal)isconsiderablyunbalancedandtheswordisslightlybent.Anyonewieldingthe swordsuffersa2penaltytohitanddamage.

Themoundinwhichtheswordrestsisahugepodofspores.Movingthebladeruptures themembranethatholdsthesporesandsendsthemintotheairwithanaudiblepop.All charactersintheareawillfeeltheirnoseandmouthbeingfilledwithburningdust,andthey mustsuccessfullysavevs.deathwitha+2bonusorbekilledin1d4roundsbytheacidic secretionsofthespores.Asuccessfulsavingthrowstillmeans1d20pointsofdamageand permanentlossofsmellandtasteunlessthedamageishealedwithapotion. Allwhoareexposedtothesporeswillnoticeagreenishgrowthspreadingovertheir bodiesin1d4rounds.Thealgaelikesubstancecoversahumansizedbodyduringthecourseof 1d6hoursandthenthickenstoabout2inchesoverthenext24hours.Affectedindividualsnotice thegrowthduetoapersistentitchthatariseswithit,atwhichtimethePCsmustmakeahorror checkatthesight.Thisitchinflictsa2penaltyuponalldicerollsuntilthegrowthcoversthe entirebody,atwhichtimethevictimcandonothingbutscratch.Attemptingtowashoffthe vegetationdoublestherateofitsspread.Acurediseasespelldestroysthegrowth. Thereareeightpreviousvictimsofthesporeslyingonthefloorinthisarea,engulfedin vegetation,whoriseandattackthePCs.Theyaremosscoveredwights(MCI/II). 10.RoomoftheCommonEnemy Theadventurersaregreetedbyacurioussightinthefarnorthcornerofthisslime coveredarea:Azalinhascapturedaghast(MCI/II)andpolymorpheditintothelikenessof Strahd.Onthefloor,atthefeetofthehelplesscreature,liesaglowingmedallionthatlookslike theHolySymbolofRavenkind.Actually,Azalinhasusedthepowerofacontrolundeadspellto convincetheghastthatthemedallionisaholysymbol,eventhoughithasnosuchpowers.The undeadmonsterhissesandpressesitselfagainstthenorthwallofthecave,unabletopassthe medallionandescape. Sincethepartyisquested,theyllknowthesymbolisntthegenuinearticlebecause holdingthediskwillgivethemnorelief.IfandwhenanyPCenterstheareaandpicksupthe holysymbol,readthefollowing. //Whenyoupickupthesilverdisk,Strahdsfacechangesfromfeartoabjectterror.He shakeshisheadfromsidetosideandpresseshimselfagainstthewallbehindhimasifhewould forcehimselfthroughit.// Theplayercharacterscanrendertheghastcompletelyhelplessbypresentingthe medallionboldlyandkeepingthemonstercorneredwhiletheyattackit.ShouldaPCdecideto pressthesymbolagainstthefalseStrahd,hescreamsinpainasputridsmellingsmokebillows fromthecontactpoint.Thsymbolinflicts1d6pointsofdamageperroundupontheghast,who isaffectedasifaphantasmalforcewerecastuponit. Notethemorkothholeinthecornerwiththeghast,whichmayaffectacharacter attackingtheghast.Whenthecreatureisvanquished,readthefollowing. //Strahdblackensandshrivelsbeforeyouasifthesilverydiskwereaburningstarin yourhand,butitsglowfadeswiththevampire.Nowitsobviousthatthemedallionisnothing morethanworthlesslead.Similarly,thefaceofStrahdslipsfromthebody,revealingittobea commonundeadthing.Thisisanotheroneofthelichstricks. Thenyouhearafamiliarchucklecomingfromthecorneroftheroomtotheright.Azalin standsthere,noddingwithapproval.Yousee?heasks.Therearesomethingsuponwhich weagree.// Thisismerelyanotherimageofthelich.Itdissipateswithanyattempttotouchorstrike it.

Iftheplayercharacterskilltheghastwithoutusingthesymbol,oriftheysimplyleavethe areawithoutkillingitatall,Azalinappearstothemandsays,Suspiciousmortals!Knowyenot aneasykillwhenyouseeone?TheSymbolispower,andyoudbetterlearntouseitifyouhope tolive! Ifthemedallionistakenfromtheareawithoutusingitontheghast,itsglowfades immediately,revealingittobeplainlead. 11.Spring Inthisslimecoveredarea,atrickleofsparklingwaterpoursfromaminutefissureinthe wallandformsapooloveramorkothtrap.Thepoolisabsolutelyclearandreflectslightwith astoundingbrightness.ThewaterisaclassIpoison(seeTable51intheDMG).Itsmellsfresh andtasteslikepurespringwater,thoughitsunnaturallycold.Ifsomeofthiswaterispouredon thefireinArea12,theflamesdieforaroundwherethewatertouchedthem. 12.DropCap Intenseheatflowsfromthisarealitbymagicalfirethatshedsalmostnolightonecan feeltheheatfrommorethan10feetaway,butnotseetheflamesuntillessthan5feetaway.The flamesdanceacrossthefloor,visiblebelow.APCcrossingovertheflamesunprotectedissubject to4d10pointsofdamageperround. Roughlyinthecenteroftheroomisanaturalstoneisland,thetopofwhichis5feet abovethefire.Directlyabovetheislandisalargeholethatappearstobeachimney.Onthe islandisalargebookinasilvercageonasmallmetalstand.Thecageissecuredwithasilver padlock.Thebookradiatesmagicifdetectedfor;itsalistofpriestswhoservedthechurchon thesurface.Thetomeradiatesmagicsinceitsenchantedtoneverdegrade,thoughthepaperwill burnlikeanyother.Thebookisabout6inchesthick,butonlythefirsttenpagescontainalistof names.Theotherpagesareblank. Ifacharactercrossestotheislandandtamperswiththepadlockinanyway,theentire ceilingofArea12dropsdownasasolidblock.Theresnochancetofleetothecorridorwithout becomingcaughtunderthedroppingstone;anyonewhoattemptstodososufferslethalcrushing damageunlessasuccessfulsavingthrowvs.deathisrolled,indicatingthatthecharacterrealized hisorherperilandretreatedbacktotheislandbeforetheceilingcaughthimorherunderneath. Acharacterisrelativelysafe,fortheholeintheceilingis10feethigh,allowingmorethan enoughroomforanaveragesizehumantostandcomfortably.However,theresnowayofraising theceiling,norIsthereanexitfromthehole.Anyoneinsideistrappedforever,barringsome meanstopassthroughthestone.Thereare1d8+2roundsofairinsidethesealedarea. Furthermore,aspellofcontinualdarknessneutralizesalllightsources. Onceacharacteristrappedinside,readthefollowing. //Itspitchblackandutterlyquietinsidethistrap,buttheairiscoolingslightly.From thefloor,upandoutofreach,thewallshavehemmedyouintight.Afterafewmoments,you detectaslightsoundaboveyouthebreathofsomethingverylarge,anditsgettinglouder. Somethingticklesyourcheek,likealightfilamentbrushingacrossit.Youfeelitagainandthen again!// Azalinhascastacontingentaudibleglamerspellthattripswhenthetrapfalls.The brushingthatthecharacterfeelsislightashfallingwiththecoolingoftheair.Havethetrapped characterrollfearcheckeachroundwithacumulativepenaltyof1(toamaximumof4)until therollisfailed.Theresultofafailedrollisshockandclaustrophobia,requiringemotion controllingspellsforthecharactertoremainunderground.(Psionicpsychicsurgeryeffectsan immediatecure.)

13.SlidingWalkway Thiswalkwayis1footabovethesurfaceofthefirebelow.Heathasburnedawaythe slimefromthesurfaceofthisarea.Thelandingisveryuneven,crumbling,andhasmanyloose pebblesonit.IfthreeadventurersstandinanyofthesquaresadjacenttoArea12,theplatform givesawayandtheedgeclosesttothefiresuddenlydrops2feet,turningthelandingintoaslide. Charactersstandingonthepebblysurfacemustrollsuccessfulsavingthrowsvs.paralysiswitha 2penaltyorfalloffthelandingandintothefire,wheretheysuffer4d10pointsofburning damageperroundofexposure. 14.InfinitySteps ThisslimecoveredareacontainsaspiralstairwaythatgoesdownfartherthanthePCs cansee.Oneverythirdstepcrouchesastonegargoylewhoseeyesseemtofollowtheadventurers astheywalkby.Theresalight,coolbreezecomingfrombelow. Thestairwayisactuallyanillusiontrapthatleadsnowhere:thestepsdescendabout50 feet,whereateleporttrapsendsacharacter25feetbackupthesteps.Theteleportationisso instantaneousthatPCsdontrealizetheyvebeentransported;tothem,thestepsjustgoon forever.Thetrapworksinbothdirections,sooncethePCshavetrippedthetrapontheirway down,theyareteleportedbacktothebottomiftheytrytoreturntothetopmakingitappearas iftheresnotoptothesteps,either.Curiously,iftheycalltosomeoneatthetopofthesteps,heor shecananswerthemandevencomedowntomeetthem.Butifthatpersondoesnttripthe teleporter,heorshecanclimbbacktotheop,seemingtodisappeartothetrappedcharacters whentheyreoncemoresentbacktothebottom.Theonlywaytoexitthetrapistowalkupthe stepsbackwards. Thecastingofdetectmagicidentifiesthepresenceoftheteleporttraps.However,Azalin haspreparedagainstpartieswhowoulddoso:Ifaspellcasterattemptstodispeltheteleporters (rollvs.Azalin,an18thlevelwizard),thestairwellbecomesaclosedtomb,sealingthosePCsina 20footstretchofsteps,25feetbelowthetop. Twoofthegargoylesaregargoylegolems(MCRL)thatanimateonlyifthePCsseal themselvesunderground.Atthatpoint,readthefollowing.NotewhetherthePCsareatthe bottomorthetopofthetrapwhenreading. //Youhearanoisereminiscentofgrindingrockscomingfrombelow(above)the soundisfromaroundthespiral,outofsight.Thenoiseechoesinthechamber,surroundingyou. Thegrindingisfollowedbyaheavyclomp,clomp,clompsomethingbigiscomingup (down)thestairs.// ThePCshearoneofthegolemsapproaching.Theotherisrightnexttothem.Callfor playerstorolld10s.Thisisasurpriseroll,andthosewhorollabove1,2,or3(aftertheDM assessesa4penalty)noticethatthegargoyleclosesttothemislookingatthem.AttheDMs option,fearcheckscanbecalledfor;otherwise,proceedtoinitiative.Ifthegargoylesare defeated,thetrapreopensandthePCsmayescapeiftheyfigureouthowtheteleportsystem works. 15.Piercers Thisslimecoveredchamberlookslikeanaturalcave.Attheotherendoftheroomisa woodendoorthatlooksoutofplaceinitssurroundings.Stalagmitesandstalactitesadornthe chamber,andtheairispleasantlycool.

Theresagroupof30piercers(MCI/II)hangingfromtheceilingbythedoor.Theywait untiltheyfeelthevibrationsofthedoorbeingtamperedwith,thenalldroptogetherstandingin that30footby10footarea. Thelockonthedoorrequiresanormalchancetopickit,buttheresanaturalstonewall behind,makingthedoorappeartobeafake.Thewallisactuallyasecretdoor,leadingtoArea 16.Thewallbehindthedoorpushesinward.Therearehandlesontheoppositeside,soitcanbe openedfromtheinside. 16.Sanctuary Thisslimelessareaisdryandquiet.Thesecretdoorpushesintotheroom,soitcanbe spikedshut,butnothingwilldisturbthePCshere.Theplacefeelsandissafe. 17.MorkothSummoning Theresasimplewoodenboxinthisslimecoveredarea,uponwhichrestsalargebell. AzalinandBalipurusethebelltosummonthemorkoths.Inthesouthwestcorner,aholeinthe floorisfloodedwithwarm,murkywater.Itleadstothemorkothslabyrinth. IfaPCringsthebellandthemorkothshavenotbeenkilledbythispoint,thecreatures arrivein1d4rounds.Theysurface,spythePCs,andthenfleebackintothewater.Themorkoths onlywanttomeetthePCsontheirownterms. 18.Illusion Inthisslimecoveredarea,thePCsaregreetedbythefollowingillusion,whichAzalin hopeswillconditionthePCstothinkofStrahdastheirrealadversary.Otherthanprompting horrorchecks,thesceneposesnodangertothegroup.ReadthefollowingwhenthePCsenter thearea. //Itsagrislysceneinthischamberseveralpeoplearemanacledtothewalls.Claw markscrisscrosstheirbodiesandbleedfreely,fillingtheroomwiththesmelloffreshlybutchered meat.Thepeopleheadsdroopinabsoluteexhaustion,andonepersonmoansweakly.Inone corner,amandressedinblackholdsaprisonerbythehair,pullinghisheadtotheside.Heis bitingthegroaningmanintheneck. Atyourentrance,heturnsandlooksyourway;blooddribblesfromhischinandhe hissesthreateninglyitsStrahdvonZarovich!Suddenly,asiftheysenseyourpresence,the prisonerslifttheirwearyheadsandlookatyoutheyreallgrinningclonesofyourandyour comrades.// TheillusionfadeswhenanyPCentersthearea.TheDMshouldcallforhorrorchecks. 19.GoingDown Asthemapindicates,themorkothlabyrinthopenstoawidepoolthatcoversmuchof thischamber.TheresanarrowledgearoundthesideofthepoolthatPCcannegotiate,buteach charactermustmakeasuccessfulDexteritychecktoavoidslippingandfallingin. Ifthemorkothsarestillalive,frombelowthewatertheyseizesomeofthePCsandpull themin.RolltodeterminewhichPCisgrabbed.Themorkothsfighttothedeath,first attemptingtodrownthevictims. Thefloorofthe10footby10footareainthenorthwestcorneriscoveredwithshort spikesaboutaninchtall.Theyrefairlydullandcanbewalkedonwithoutanytrouble.Foreach personwhowalksonthespikes,thereisa25%chancethatareleasebuttonwillbesteppedon, thusdroppingablockofstonefromtheceiling.Thosewhosuccessfullysavevs.paralyzation mayleapclearofthefallingstone.Thosewhofailsuffer3d8pointsofdamagefrombeing

crushedagainstthespikes.Evenifacharacterdivesclearofthespikes,theresa10%chancethat heorsheinstinctivelyleapsontothetrapdoorandfalls50feettothenextlevelbelow,suffering 5d6pointsofdamage. Inthesouthwestcorneroftheareaisanopentrapdoorwithaladderthatleadsdownto Level3.Charactersmuststepintotheceilingtrapareatoclimbontoit. WhenthePCslookthroughthetrapdoorinArea19ofLevel2: //Thestaleodorofdeathreachesupfromthisholeandgripsyourheartsandlungs, squeezingthemlikeacold,bonyfistaroundasoftboiledegg.Heresaplacethatonlythe undeadcouldcallhome. Somewherebelow,amenacinglaughechoesthroughthecomplex,hungrilywelcoming youtoaplaceofnoreturn.Thelichisdownthere...somewhere.// 20.Azalin //Azaliniswaitingforyouinthischamber,sittingonathroneofmeldedbones.Come in,comein,hesays.Youlookalittletired,hecommentswithachuckle.Icouldfixitso youdneverfeelthatwayagain....// SincethePCsaresupposedtocatchAzalin,itsassumedthatoneormoreofthemwill trytotouchhimatthispoint.However,thisillusioniscompletelyincorporeal,soPCspassright throughit.Therefore,neitherthelichschilltouchnorhisfierygazeattackworkhere.Again, speakingthenameFiranZalhonanhasnoeffectontheillusion. AssoonasaPCattemptstotouchAzalinordetectstheillusion,readthefollowing. //Azalinchucklesandsays,Sodifficulttoknowtherealthingwhenyouseeit.Well, tellmeifthisfeelsrealtoyou.Thelichsfistopensandtheroomexplodeswithfire!// Theillusionhasreleasedafireball.AllowPCswhowishtodisbelievetheillusiontomake theirsavingthrow.Ifallmembersofthepartysucceed,thentheimagefadesaway,saying,Ah well,perhapsnexttime. 21.MorkothLair Thisisthecentral,underwaterlairofthemorkoths.Thereisapproximately15,000gp worthoftreasurehere,consistingofvariousjewelryandcoinslyingamongdecomposingbodies. UnlesstheDMwantstorollrandomlytodeterminethepresenceofmagicalitems,therearenone here. 22.BackDoor ThisisatunnelthatleadstoLakeZarovich,amileaway.Itsanaccessthatallowsthe morkothstocomeandgoastheyplease. Level3 1.SphereofLivingStone Theladderleadsdownintoanunusualchamberthatseemstobemadeofprotruding rockformations.Readthefollowingwhenthefirstcharacterentersthearea. //Everysquarefootofthischamberiscoveredwithstonyprojections,includingthe walls,thatpointtowardtheladder.Aneeriegroaningsoundslowlybecomesperceptible.Then

yourealizethatthestoneitselfcriesouttoyou!Thepointsofrockwrithelikefingersprotruding fromagrave,andthemoanoftrappedagonyfillsyouwithdread. Thewavingofthestonesmuddlesyourmind,yoursenseofupanddownescapesyou, andtheroombeginstospin!// Azalincreatedthisroomwithafewstoneshapespells,butthenheaddedhisowntouch. Hecasttransmutestonetofleshonthewallsandthenenchantedthemwithaspecialversionof hypnoticpattern.Thepointsofstonewavebackandforthinadizzyingpattern;beingalive,the stonesgroaninunnaturalpain. Thecharactermustmaketwod20rollsasheorshedescendsahorrorcheckatthesight oftheslitheringstoneandasavingthrowvs.spelltoavoidthehypnoticweaving.APCwhofails thelatterchecklosescontrolandfallsor2d6pointsofdamage.Landingamongtherubbery, groaningstalagmitesonthefloorcanpromptahorrorcheckthefleshystoneisdisgusting! PCswhofollowmayavoidthesavevs.spelliftheyannouncethattheyllclosetheireyes astheyclimbdowntheladder,buttheyhavetomakeaDexteritycheckinstead,toavoid misstepping.Theymustalsomakeahorrorcheckwitha2penaltyasthesoundofthemoaning stoneisparticularlydisturbingwithclosedeyes. 2.PillarsofAbsorption Thishallcontainstenpillarsthatarestyledinmarble,butveinedwithsilverandgold. Aroundthepillarsarestrungshinyornamentsmadeofpreciousmetalsandgems.Closer examinationrevealstheyareminiatureswords,shields,armor,andthelike.Thepillars themselvesaresmoothandhavesimplebasesandcaps. WhenaPCpasseswithin5feetofthelastpairofpillars(atthenorthendoftheroom)or whenanyonetouchesanyofthepillars,thewiresthatholdtheornamentsanimateandattempt toensnareanyonewithin10feet.Eachpillarhaseighttendrilsandiscapableofattackingupto4 charactersatonce. Thewires,whichappeartobeglitterystandsofcrushedglassandmetal,areaboutone eightofaninchindiameterandcannotbecutbynonmagicalweapons.Theyattacksaschoke creepers(seeplant,carnivorousMCI/II).TheyhaveaStrengthof16,soacharacterofequal orgreaterStrengthmaybreakfreebymakingasuccessfulbendbars/liftgatesroll. Characterswhodieintheclutchesofastranglingpillarareabsorbedintothecolumnoneround afterdeath.Bodiesinsidearelostforever,barringawish,havingalsobecomepartofthestructure ofthepillar.Equipmentisalsodrawnin,whereuponanotherbaubleintheshapeofeachpiece appearsalongthewire. 3.RottenTunnel Thistunnelhasastenchthatincreasesdramaticallyonceacharacterturnsthecorner;the odorpeaksatthepointwherethepassagecrossesoverArea12.Thetunnelsmellsofrotten corpses. Azalinhascastdarkness,15radiusevery10feet,startingatthesecondsquareofthe tunnel,andhasrenderedthespellsmagicallypermanent.Spellcasterswhowishtocancelthe effectmustfirstremovethepermanencyspellbeforethedarknesscanbedispelled. ItspossibletoholdonesbreathandfollowthelefthandwalluntilonereachesArea4, butthecharactermustnotpausealongtheway.Otherwise,thetimespentinthedarkforcesthe charactertotakeanotherbreath.Anyonewhobreathesinsidethetunnelmustsuccessfullysave vs.breathweaponorbeaffectedasifbyastinkingcloudspell.Agustofwindnegatestheeffectfor thedurationofthespell. 6.AzalinsLivingRoom

Thisroomisarichlydecoratedchamber,withlargeportraitsonthewalls,athickrugon thefloor,andsoftchairspairedwithendtables.Againstthesouthwallrestsatablewithsnifters andthreeleatherwrappeddecantersonered,onebrown,oneblack.Thelampscomfortably illuminatetheroomandtheodorfromArea3doesntpenetratehere. Severaloftheportraitsarepaintedinpainstakingdetail,andtheydepictvarioustorture scenes.Anycharacterwholooksatonemustmakeasuccessfulsavingthrowvs.spellorsee himselfasthesubjectofthetorture,promptingahorrorcheck.Alsopresentareportraitsofa womanandchild,bothrippedtoshredsandsewnbacktogether.PCswhoexploredCastle AvernusinFromtheShadowsrecognizethepaintingsasthesameportraitsasthosetheyfoundin AzalinsbedroominDarkon. Erasmus,Azalinsspiritbutler,ishere,too.AsexplainedinFromtheShadows,thetypical lookingbutlerattendstoAzalinsdomesticneeds.Heappearstobesolid,butphysicalobjects passthroughhim;hemanipulatesobjectsbyconcentrating.Erasmusneitherhelpsnorhinders thePCsinanyway,otherthantotellthemtohelpthemselvestoadrink. Thethreedecantersarebeakersofplentifulpotions,eachcontainingthreepotions.They are,fromtoptobottom,asfollows: _ Red:Potionofhealing,elixirofhealth,potionoffireresistance.

_ _

Brown:Potionofdelusion,potionofhealing,poison(classJ). Black:Potionofsuperheroism,elixirofmadness,potionofinvisibility. Lyingnexttothebottlesisascarabofdeath,itappearstobearelativelyworthlessbrooch.

5.DistortionChamber Thewalls,floors,andceilingsofthisroomareetchedwithmanyslantedandcrisscrossed lines.Attheotherendofthechamberisanotherdoor,butitsdifficulttofocusonitbecausethe decoroftheroomdistortstheviewerssenses.Theroomsdimensionsare40feetby30feet,but itsonlypossibletodeterminethiswithaspellorgemoftrueseeinguseofeitherallowsa charactertowalkstraightthroughthechamber.Onecanalsocrossbyclosingoneseyesand simplywalkingforwardtothedoorattheendoftheroom. Onceacharacterstepsintothisroom,heorshemustroll1d6forevery10feetofdistance traveled.Onarollof4to6,thecharactermovesinthedirectiondesired.Butonarollof1,the characteractuallydoesanaboutfaceandmoves10feetintheoppositedirection.Onearollof2, thecharacterturnsdirectlytotheleftandmoves10feet.Onarollof3,thecharacterturnstothe rightandmoves10feet. Meanwhile,thelinesonthewallbegintospinandtangle,eventuallytakingtheformofa phantasmalkillerspell.Eachcharacterwillbesoaffectedin1d4rounds. 6.LairoftheWhiteSpider Thisvastcavernisfilledwiththousandsofthickwhitestrands.Atthecenter,theareais 40feettallfromfloortoceiling.Thewebbingmakesitimpossibletodeterminetheexactsizeof thecavern,buttheentranceismidwaybetweenthecavernfloorandceiling.PCscandescend20 feet,crossthefloor,thenclimb20feetbackuptothedoorontheothersideorcrossbymoving fromthreadtothread. //Beforeyouliesagiganticcavern,filledfromtoptobottomwiththick,white,silky filamentsthatshineinthelight.Theychoketheroomandhidetheothersidefromyou.The floordropsawayfromyouinsidethedoorandislostamongthemilkytangle. Inthedistance,youbarelymakeoutalight,erraticclickingnoise.Asyoursensesadjust tothecavern,younoticeeversoslightvibrationsofthewhitestands,andyouhearafaint hummingwitheachvibration.//

Thethreadsofthewebmaybecutnormally,buttheywontburnexceptwithmagical fire,andthenonlythestrandsexposedaredestroyed.Thewebbingisextremelythickforeach 10feetofspacetraveledoreachroundspentinthearea,charactersmustrollsuccessfulDexterity checkstoavoidslippingandfallingfor1d4pointsofdamage.Whenacharacterfalls,heorshe drops5feetandiscoveredwiththemilkysolutionthatrunsofftheweb.Apenaltyof1is addedaftereachfall(toamaximumof4).Acharacterwhofallsmorethanfivetimesisso completelycoveredwiththewhitefluidthatheorshecannotgetupwithouthelpfromanother character.Thosewhohelpfallencohortsmustaddbothoftheirpenaltiestogetherandthenmake asuccessfulDexteritychecktohelpthefallencharacter.Gauntletsofswimmingandclimbing negatetheeffectsoftheroom. Atthebottomofthecavernliesanestofwhitespiders,abreedofarachnidcreatedby Balipur.Theyswarmuponanyvictimswhosliptothebottomoftheweb.PCswhoenterinto meleemustrollattackrollswithapenaltyequaltothatassessedagainsttheirDexterity,andthey mustmakesuccessfulDexteritycheckstokeeptheirbalanceaftertheyswing. Themotherspiderliesinwaitatthetopandwatchesforvictimstosliptothebottom, wheretheyoungwilldevourthem.Thesoundofpainfromtheyoungwillbringherrunning; otherwise,sheremainslargelydisinterestedinthePCsunlesstheyattackher.Shesadeptat usingtheslicknessofthewebtogreateffect,literallyslidingalongtheweb;sheemitsasecretion fromthetipsofherlegsthatinsureshergrip. Spidermother(1):Intanimal(1);AC3;MV6,Web18;HD5+5;hp35;THAC013;#AT1d6 (claws);Dmg1d10;SZL;ML15;MRnil;ALCE;XP420. Spideryoung(20):Intanimal(1);AC6;MV6,Web9;HD2;hp10;THAC019;#AT1d6(claws); Dmg1d6;SZM;ML7;MRnil;ALCE;XP35each. Theresadoorattheoppositeendofthespiderlair,butitsconcealedbywebs(seeArea

20).

7.DartTrap Eachofthefournorthern10footsquarefloorpanelsalongthishallwayisspringloaded andsettofireabarrageofpoisonousdartsfromthesouthwall.Eachtimeavolleyofdartsfires, themechanismunderthefloorresetssothatadifferentpressurepointfiresfromthenextsetof darts.Inotherwords,theDMshouldroll1d4todeterminewhichpanelactivatesthetrap.Each timeaPCtripsthemechanism,theDMshouldrollagaintofindwhichpaneltriggersthetrap. Eachvolleylooses1d20+10darts,hittingtheforwardmostPC(1pointofdamageperdart).PCs mustsuccessfullysavevs.poisonordie.

8.DoubleDoors AsignhangsonthewallbetweenthetwodoorstoArea8:Onewayin,anotherout:Woe tothosewhofailtheroute.AnimageoftheHolySymbolisengravedintheeastdoor,andan imageoftheIconisengravedonthewestdoor.Botharelockedwithheavydutydeadbolts,(20% penaltytolockpickingrolls).Thedeadboltsarekeyoperatedfrombothsides,sobothlocksmust bepickedtoopenbothdoors. Azalinhasriggedaspecialteleporttrapateachdoor.Thetrapallowsanybodytopass throughadoorwithouttrippingit,butifthatsamepersonwalksthroughthesamedooragain,

thetrapgoesoff,placingthevictiminArea10.IfaPCentersthroughonedoorandexitsthrough theother,nothinghappens. InsideArea8,Azalinhascreatedaprogrammedillusionactivatedbytheopeningofeither door.PCslookinginseetheHolySymbolandtheIconhangingoveratroughofmoltenmetal. Theropesbywhichtheitemsaresuspendedarequicklyburningthrough.IfaPCmakesarush fortheitems,theropessnapwhenthecharacternearsthetrough.AfailedDexteritycheck indicatesthePCsuffers3d10pointsofheatdamagewhiletryingtograbtheitemsastheyfallinto thetrough.Ifthecheckissuccessful,thePCreachestheitems,buthishandspassrightthrough themandthesamedamageisinflicted. 9.FamiliarCrypt Theheavydoortothisareacreaksopentorevealseveraloldcasketsintheroom.There arecuriousdesignsonthecoverofeachcasketthatmightbewritingofsomekind.Closer examinationrevealsthattheinscriptionsareinanancientlanguage.Areadmagicspellor successfulreadlanguagesrollrevealsthattheinscriptionsbearthenamesofabelovedparentor mentorofeachPC.Asuggestionspellistriggeredwhenthenameisread. ReadthefollowingifaPCreadsanyofthenamesandthenwantstoopenthecoffin. //ThismustcertainlybeanotherofAzalinsillusions.Howcouldhefind(insert personsname)andbringhim(her)here?Youclearyourmindandpreparetodenywhatever phantomthelichhasconjuredforyou,thenyouslowlyopenthecoffin. Thebodywithiniscrackedandwitheredasifithadbeenhereathousandyears.You closeyoureyesandthenopenthemagain,buttheresnodoubtaboutit:Thisisnoillusion. Foramoment,youarestruckdumb,wonderingwhatAzalinhasdone.Then,toyour lastinghorror,thebodyopensitscrustedeyesandlooksatyou!// Azalinhasplacedaghast(MCI/II)ineachcoffinandcastaspeciallichillusion,called deathsight(seeVanRichtensGuidetotheLich)onthem(savevs.spellapplies,butseethefollowing paragraph).Normally,deathsightcausesaffectedindividualstoseeeveryonearoundthemasan undeadcreature,butthisapplication,combinedwiththesuggestionspellcausesthePCstoseea shrunken,decayedbodyofthepersonsidentifiedbytheplaques. BecauseofAzalinsterribleuseofthisspell,thePCsmaynotmakeasavingthrowinthe firstround.Havethemmakefearandhorrorcheckswitha4penaltyastheghastopensitseyes andstandsup.Allowtheplayerstothinkthatthereisnosavingthrowvs.spell,thattheysee somethingreal.Evenifthesavingthrowinthesecondroundissuccessful,theeffectwillhave lastedlongenoughforthecharactertobesureofthetruth.TheDMshouldtellthePCwho successfullysavesthatheorshewassureofthecorpsesidentity,butthenitsfacialfeatures collapsedasitmoved,anditbecameimpossibletotellwhothepersonwas. Tothosewhofailtheirsavingthrows,thesightofthedeadlovedonepromptsahorror checkeveryrounduntiltheghastisdefeated.(Dontforgetthelichminionsgazeattack.) 10.SealedRoom PCswhoenterandexitArea8bythesamedoorareteleportedintothisroom.Ifthey havealightsource,readthefollowing.Otherwise,theyresimplylockedinthedark. //Thewallsofthisroomaremadeofheavystonebricksthatareafoothigh,twofeet wide,andwhoknowshowmanyfeetthick.Thisisthekindofroomwhereprisonersareleftto die.Theresnodoor,nowindow,notevenanairvent.Youretrapped....//

Infact,thewallsarenothickerthananyotherinthelair(about1foot),butAzalinhas placedfourcontingentwallsofforceonthem.Theyreseparatelytrippedbytouchingeachwall, andlast23rounds.IfaPCstrikesawallbeforeanyonetouchesit,achunkofstonechipsoff,but thenthewallofforcegoesupandrendersthewallimpervious. ShouldtrappedPCssomehowworktheirwaythroughthewestwallandintoArea23 wheretherealAzalinawaits,andtheentirepartyisnotpresent,theDMandtheplayersofthose charactersshouldgotoanotherroomandconductbattlewiththelich.IfthosePCsreduce Azalinto25hitpointsorfewer,hesurrenders.Inthiscase,Azalinopenstheonewaysecretdoor (itopensonlyfromArea23andisnotdetectablefromtheotherside)leadingtoAreas8and11 andinvitestherestofthepartytojoinhimandthepeoplewhohavecapturedhim.Proceedto Area22,AudiencewithAzalin.IfAzalinisvictorious,theremainingpartymembersmust finishthesearchforhim. 11.Storehouse Asicklygreencloudfloatsintheairofthisroom;occasionalsparksofgreenlightappear inthesmoke.Thewallsholdshelvesonwhichresthundredsofunlabeled,diverselycoloredand sizedbottles.Theresastrongsmellofstrangechemicalsintheair. Azalinstoreshislaboratoryandspellcomponentsinthisroom.Onlyheknowsthe contentsofeachcontainer,butacharacterwhoownsaNefradinasidentifierkitcouldfindvirtually anyspellcomponentamongthestores.Foreachsuccessfulidentificationthecharacterachieves, theDMshouldopenthePHBandrandomlychooseaspellcomponent(preciousstonesarenever present). Thegreencloudisharmless;itservesonlytoscarethePCsoutofthearea. 12.UnderwaterTunnel AnopeninginthenorthwallofArea4leadstoasetofcurvingstepsthatdescend30feet andthendisappearintoawaterfilledtunnel. //Abrackishstenchrisesfromthewaterdownhere.Thewaterisfrigidtothetouch, anditrisestowithinafewfeetoftheceilingofthetunnelleadingaway.Itsimpossibletosay howfardownthestepsgointothewater.Youmayhavetoswimthroughthetunneltogettothe othersideifthereisanotherside. Somethingtwostepsbelowthewaterssurfacecatchesyoureye.Itappearstobearing. Theressomethingonthethirdstep,tooanecklaceorchainbutthewaterstoodarkforyou totellwhatitis.// Theringisaringoffreeactionplacedherebyapairofscrags(seetroll,MCI/II).The scragshopetoenticethePCstoexplorethepassage.Thechainisanecklaceofstrangulation. IfthePCsenterthewater: //Thewaterisnumbinglycold,butitsonly5feetdeepwherethestepsend.Theresa whisperingsoundaheadofyou,faroffandoutofsight.ItsoundsabitlikeAzalin,butwho knows? Somethingbrushesagainstyourlegandisgone.Otherthanthewhisperingyouhear andthesplashingyoumakeasyoumovealong,itsdeadlyquietinsidethetunnel.Then,once again,somethingbrushesagainstyourleg.// Thereare2feetofspaceabovethesurfaceofthewater,sooxygenisnotanissuehere; however,thetemperatureofthewateris.PCsnotmagicallyprotectedfromcoldinsomemanner lose1pointofDexterityeveryotherround.WhenaPCsDexreaches0,heischilledtothebone

andsonumbthathecannotmove.Thecharacterthenbeginstolose1pointofConstitutionper round.Ifthatscorereaches0,thecharacterdies. ThebrushingthatthePCsfeelisnothingmorethancuriousfishthatthescragsfeedon. Theadventurerscanoccasionallyfeelobjectsonthefloorofthetunnel.Iftheyactivelysearch, theyfind1to2objectsinevery10feetofsearchedtunnel;consultthetablebelowforresults. Otherwise,assigna40%chanceper10feetoftunnelforapartymembertotouchanobjectwith hisorherfoot,thencheckagainstthetable.(Rollrandomlytodeterminewhichmemberofthe partyfeelstheobject.) 1d100Item 0110:Disembodiedarm 1120:Humanoidribbone 2130:Nonmagicaldagger,rusted 3140:Nonmagicalhelm 4150:Nonmagicalsword 5160:Rottenboot 6170:Rotteninternalorgan 7180:50gpgem 8185:Iridescentiounstone 8690:Staffmace 9195:Sword+1,+3vs.lycanthropesandshapechangers 9600:MagicalitemofDMschoice Ifaminorconjunctionoccurshere,theDMshouldhave2d6reavers(MCRL)appearout ofawhirlpool,ratherthanconsulttheMinorConjunctionEncounterChart. 13.Toll WhenthePCsreachthispointinthetunnel,readthefollowing. //Thewaterbeforeyoubeginstobubbleandfroth,thenalargecreaturestandsupand blocksthepassageway.Itsskinisasicklydarkgreen,andiscoveredwithfesteringsoresthat bleedblack.Itshairhangslikedeadseaweedfromitsbonyscalp. Themonsterflexesitswebbedclawsandbearsitsblack,scumcoatedteeth.Theypaya toll!itcrieswitharaggedvoice.Theypayatollortheypassnot! Backatthebaseofthesteps,anotherscragrisesoutofthewaterandcocksitsheadfrom sidetoside,lookingatyou.// Thescragswantabody,livingordead,fortheirsupper.Theyarentparticularly intelligent,soPCscanconvincethemthattheyhaveabodytogiveasatollateitherendofthe tunnel.Otherfasttalkingscamswillwork,too.ThePCattemptingtofoolthewatertrollsneed onlymakeasuccessfulCharismacheck. IfthePCsattack,thescragbehindthemsubmergesandattacksfrombelow.Assoonas anyonePCiskilled,thescragssubmergeandattempttoescapewiththebody.DMsshould consultunderwatercombatrulesintheDMG. 14.Landing Thewaterwarmsconsiderablyinthisarea.PCswhoremaininthewaterregainlost attributepointsattherateof3perround.Iftheyleavethewater,theyregainlostpointsatthe rateofonly1perround.IfanypointsofConstitutionwerelostduetoexposuretothecoldwater, thecharacterloses1pointpermanently.

Thischamberhouseswidestonestepsleadingtoaplatforminfrontofadoor.Asthe PCsclimbontothelanding,theybegintofeelwarmthemanatingfromthedoortoArea15.The doorisquitehot.Itsmadeofmetalandhasnohandle,onlyalock.Thehingesareonthisside ofthedoor,soitopensintoArea14. RoguecharactersmustrollasuccessfulDexteritycheckinadditiontotheirpicklocksroll toavoidtouchingthehotmetal.Thosewhotouchthedoorwithunprotectedskinsuffer2d4 pointsofburndamage. Themomentthelockispicked,thedoorblowsopenwithgreatforce.Asurpriseroll shouldbemadetodeterminewhetherPCsnexttothedoorcanleapclearofit.Eveniftheyare notsurprised,theymuststillrollsuccessfulDexteritycheckswitha2penaltytoavoidbeing struckbythedoor.Thosewhofailtoleapawayarehit,suffering1d6pointsofdamage. Scorchingairfillsthechamber.Thosenotinthewatermustsuccessfullysavevs.breath weapontohalve2d10pointsofburndamage.PCsinthewatersuffer1d10pointsiftheyfailtheir saves;iftheysucceed,theymanagetoduckunderwaterandavoidalldamage. 15.ReflectionsofDeath Thisroomislinedwithspecialmirrorsofopposition,taintedwiththelichspelldeathsight (seeLevel3,Area9).WheneachPCmovesintothisroom,sixghouls(MCI/II)thatlookexactly likethePCspringfromthewallsandattack.TheyhavethesameclothesanditemsasthePC,but theundeadcreatureslacktheintelligencetocastspellsorusemagicalitemsthatmustbe activated.Theywill,however,usetheweaponcarriedbythePC. LikeanyundeadminionofAzalins,thesemonstershaveagazeattack,buttheyalso requireahorrorcheckasthePClooksuponhisorherownlikenessasanundeadthing.The checkshouldbemadeatthebeginningofthefirstthreeroundsofcombat,withdecreasing penalties:2inthefirstround,1inthesecond,andnopenaltyinthethird.Afterthat,thePC becomesinuredtothesight. Theroomisveryhot.Afterthefirstround,THAC0sdropby1eachroundtoamaximum of6,reflectingtheexhaustionthatcomesoffightingintheintenseheat.Thesemodifierscarry overtothenextarea.ReturningtoArea14andimmersinginthewaterwillreturntheheat modifierto0inasingleround,butthecharacterwillagainhavetofacesixmoreundead reflections(nohorrorchecksthistime). Magicaldarknesspreventsthereflectionsfromformingifthecharactercastssuchaspell uponhisorherpersonandthenwalksthroughtheroominutterblackness. 16.DesertofDoom TheDMshouldnotindicatethedimensionsofthisareainanyway. //Strangely,adesertliesbeforeyou,stretchingasfaroffastheeyecansee.Overhead,a hugereplicaoftheHolySymbolofRavenkindburnslikethesunandmercilesslybeatsdownupon you.Theairisdry,scorchingyourlungs,andtheheatiscompletelyrelentlessonyourback.Hot windblowsacrossthedunes,sweepingupsandandthrowingitinyoureyes.Theroarofa blacksmithsforgeseemstothrobintheair. Theresmovementeverywhereunderthesandasunseencreaturesburrowbelowthe surfacewhereitisdark.// TheHolySymbolshedssomuchheatthatcharactersbegintolose1pointofConstitution perroundafterspendingthreeroundsintheroom(dontforgettheTHAC0modifiersmentioned above).Thesandintheaircutsvisibilitydownto50feetandthewindgrowslouderasthePCs getclosertoArea17.Duetotheshiftingsands,PCmovementishalved.Thecreaturesmoving underthesandareharmless,buttheyoughttomakethePCsnervous.

ThewallsofthisroomarepaintedwithNolzursmarvelouspigments,makingthedunes appeartomoveendlesslyintothedistanceinalldirections,exceptforthe10footspacethatleads backtoArea15.Theceilingispaintedtolooklikedesertsky.Area17ishiddenbehindaseries ofdunes.Withinthenorthandsouthwallsoftheroom,Azalinhaspaintedalargedunewith sparklinggemsscatteredoverthesurface. TheDMshouldcarefullymonitorwherethePCswalk,forifevenoneofthemsteps outsidethedimensionsofArea16,theentiregroupactuallyentersthepaintingandbecomeslost inthedesert.Oncecaughtwithinthewalls,theonlywaytofindthewayoutistomovetoward thesun.Meanwhile,theDMshouldsolicitactionsfromthepartyandtellthePCstosubtracta pointfromtheirConstitutionscoresforeachroundtheyfailtofindtheirwayout(afterthefirst threerounds).PCswhosescoresdropto3fallunconscious,anddeathresultswhenthescore reaches0.AttheDMsoption,characterswearingmetalarmormaybeassessed2pointsforeach roundinthesun. AtthecenterofArea16livesasandling(MCI/II).IfthePCsmovetowithin20feetof thecenteroftheroom,themonsterrisesoutofthesandtoitsfull10footstature,looksthemover foramoment,andthensinksbackintothesand.Itattacksonlyiftheymovewithin10feetofthe centeroftheroom.TheDMcanteasethePCsbyhavingthesandlingmakenumerous appearancesnearby,watchingthem. 17.VortexofSand Inthisarea,thesandwhirlsinacounterclockwisemotionarounda4footholelocatedin thecenter,whereaneeriegreenlightpulsates.Thisroomisthesourceoftheroaringwind;it comesfromhundredsoftonsofsandswirlingaroundinafuriousrushtowardthehole.Afterit disappearsintothepit,thesandisredistributedacrossAreas16and17fromthebottomup. Theonlysafewaytotheothersidefromtheareaisaroundtheperimeter,stayingwithin afootortwoofthewall.ShouldaPCstepfartherthan5feetfromawall,hewillfindthatthe vortexpullshimtowardthecenterwithaStrengthof15.ThosewhohaveaStrengthscoreof11 orlessarepulledinwithoutwarningandareburiedaliveunder10feetofsandinArea16.(Ifthe othercharactershavesomemeanstolocatethecharacterandcandighimorheroutinahurry, theDMshouldrandomlydeterminetheburiedcharacterspositioninArea16[seeHolding YourBreathintheDMGformoredetails]).IftheaffectedcharactersStrengthscoreis12to15, thensuccessfulStrengthandDexteritychecksindicatethatthecharacterisabletoresistthe inwardpull.CharacterswhohaveStrengthscoresgreaterthan15needonlyrollasuccessful Strengthcheck(failingthat,asuccessfulDexcheckwillsavethem). Objectspulledintothevortexmakeonecompleteorbitaroundtheholebeforebeing suckedin.TenfeetfromthewallsofArea17,theStrengthofthevortexis20,15feetfromthe wallsits25,andatthenexusits30. WhenallthePCsareallwithinArea17,readthefollowing. //Thewindisdeafeninginhere,makingitnearlyimpossibletohearashoutrightnextto you.Thesandbelowyourfeetkeepsgivingawayandpullingyoutowardthesandywhirlpoolin themiddleofthischamber.Behindyou,attheedgeoftheendlessdesert,thesandbeastrises fromthefloorandstudiesyou,unaffectedbythemaelstromaroundit,thensinksbackintothe ground.Whenitsnothingbutatwofoottallmoundofsand,themonstermovesatyou,picking upspeedasitapproaches.// ThesandlingpassesbelowthePCsfeetataMVof12.Thewakeofthesandburiesthe PCsuptotheirknees,butthemonsterdoesntattack.ThecharactersshouldmakeaDexterity checktoavoidfallingoverasthesandsweepsovertheirlegs.Allowthema+2bonusiftheyhelp

eachotherorusesomethinglikeastafforswordtosteadythemselves.Assessa2penaltyifthey attempttoattackorrunawayfromtheapproachingmonster. 18.WaterReservoir ThedoortoArea18isidenticaltotheonebetweenAreas14and15;alockandnohandle, andthehingesareonthisside.Thisportal,however,isverycooltothetouch. LikethedoorinArea14,thisoneblowsopenwithgreatforcewhenthelockispicked.If anyPCsstandinthewayofthedoor,asurpriserollshouldbemadetodeterminewhetherPCs canleapclearofit.Evenifnotsurprised,theymuststillrollsuccessfulDexteritycheckswitha2 penaltytoavoidbeingstruckbythedoor.Thosewhofailtoleapawayarehit(suffering1d6 pointsofdamage)andarethrown1d10feettowardthesandvortex.Followingthedoorisawall ofwaterfromArea18.Thosestandingwithin5feetofthedoormustsuccessfullysavevs.breath weapontoavoidbeingforcedintothevortex. Thewatercontinuestoblastthroughthedoorfortworounds.Duringthattime,the watercollectsinArea17andswirlsaroundlikethesand.Afterthereservoirisdepleted,thetrap doorinthecenterofArea18isvisible.Thedoorleadstoasmallcrawlwaythatleadsbackupto theleveloftherestofthelair. IfthePCslocatethesecretdoorinArea19andapproachArea18fromthere,they discoverthetrapdoorintheceilingofatunnelthatcurvesdownwarduntilitcanpassbelowthe room.Ifthedoorisexamined,itscooltothetouchanddampwithcondensation. Thetrapdoorreleasesdownwardwiththepullingofalonglatchhandle,butitrequiresa combinedStrengthof25todoso.Themomentthisisaccomplished,thedoorfliesopenand naturalphysicstakesover,sendingtonsofwaterintothetunnel.Charactersarebuffetedagainst thetunnelwallsandfiredlikecannonballsintoArea19. ThosePCswhoareinthetunnelmustmakeConstitutionchecksatonethirdtheirscores toavoidhavingtheirlungsforcefilledwithwater,whichwilldrownthemunlesstheyareaided within1d3rounds(assumethePCsknowmouthtomouthresuscitationorhavethemroll againstthehealingproficiency).Thosesamecharacterssustain8d6pointsofdamagefromthe forceofthewaterhittingthemandfrombeingbuffetedalongtheroughhewntunnel.Thenthey areprojectedacrossArea19,strikingthewallforanadditional4d6pointsofdamage.Affected charactersmaymakeasavingthrowvs.paralysisforhalfdamage,accountingforaluckytrip. AcharacterstandingattheentrancetothetunnelinArea19mustmakeasuccessful Dexteritychecktoduckboththewaterandtumblingcharactersastheyshootoutofthetunnel. Thosewhofailsuffer3d8pointsofdamage(savevs.paralysisforhalfdamage). 19.CavernofChimes Thisroughhewnareahasawoodenshelfattachedtothewallwithmetalspikes.Onthe shelfare12crystalbellsofvarioussizesandshapes.IfthePCspickanyofthemupandtryto ringthem,theyhearnosound,buttheydofeelthevibrationofthebellthroughtheirfingers. However,AzalinisabletoheartheringingbellsfromhishidingplaceinArea23,whichalerts himtothePCspresence. Ifandwhenabellisrung,roll1d6andconsultthechart: 1:Bellshatters,cuttingtheringercauses1d4pointsofdamage. 2:Bellsummons2d8wights(MCI/II). 3:Belldoesnothing. 4:Bellsendsoutinaudiblesonicblast,causingsevereheadpainfor1d8rounds,plus2d6points ofdamage.Spellcasterscannotcastduringthistime,andTHAC0sarereducedby3. 5:Bellsendsoutasoothingjingle,curingallwithin10feetof2d8+2pointsofdamage.Asecond ringingshattersthebell(see#1).

6:Bellsummonsaghoullord(MCRL). IfthetrapdoorbelowArea18hasbeenreleased,allowingthewatertofloodthisroom, thenthebellsareallsmashed. Therearetwosecretdoorsinthisarea:oneonthesouthwallthatleadstoatrapdoor belowArea18,andoneintheeastwallthatleadstoArea21. 20.EndoftheWeb Thewebsofthewhitespideraresodensealongthiswallthatthearchwayonthewest wallqualifiesasasecretdoor.Oncediscovered,thePCsmustinflict50pointsofdamagetothe webstocuttheirwaythrough.RemembertocallforDexteritycheckswithpenaltiesappropriate totheamountoffluidthattheswordswingingcharacterhaspickeduponthetripacrossthe room(seeLevel3,Area6). OncethePCsreachthehallwayontheothersideofthesecretdoor,readthefollowing. //Thehallwaybeforeyouisskillfullycarvedandquiteornate,creatingamontageof lightandshadowsthattoywiththeeye.Therearereliefsculpturesrunningtheentirelength that,whenlookedatonthewhole,makeitseemthearchwayissupportedbyskeleton,writhing inmournfulagony.Ruthlesspainmarkstheirfacesandeachseemstobeseechyoutowalk throughthearch. Downthehallwaytheresabonysculptureofagiganticspider,composedofthebonesof manyanimalsandperhapsevenpeople,whichgivesitanabstractandhorrifyinglook.The monstrositylooksasthoughthesculptorhadnoideawhatitwouldbeuntilitwasfinished.// Thespidersculptureisabonegolem(MCRL).ItanimateswhenanyPCpasseswithin5 feet. 21.DoortoDoom WhenthePCsfindtheirwayintothisshortantechamber,readthefollowing. //Youstandbeforealarge,shining,ebonydoor.Acrossitssurface,alifesizedrelief carvingofAzalinisdelineatedingold.Redjewelsthatglowwitharcanebrilliancearesetinthe eyesockets.SilverreplicasoftheHolySymbolandIconstandateachsideofthelichimage. Thedoorshandleisanoutstretchedskeletalhand,projectingfromthereliefcarvingasif itwereAzalins.Thepalmisheldupasiftohandyousomethingthebonyfingerscurve slightlyupward.// Thedoorismadeofablackstonethatisicecoldtothetouch.Thosewhohave infravisiondetectincrediblecoldinthedoor,yettheeyesareredhot.TheHolySymbolandIcon glowsimilarly.Thejeweledeyesaremagicallytrapped.Touchinganyofthemresultsin6d8 pointsofelectricaldamage(savevs.rodforhalfdamage).Theentrapmentsarepermanent aspectsofthejewelsandcannotbedispelled. Thedoorisopenedbygraspingthehand,whichgraspsbackwithStrengthof16and resistsbeingturnedasifitwerewristwrestlingwiththeopener.Attemptstoopenthedoor alwaysfailonthefirsttryduetotheunexpectedresistance.AStrengthof18andasuccessful bendbars/liftgatesrollarerequiredtoturnthehandandopenthedoor.Thepersonattempting toturnthehandlemayrollasoftenasneededtofinallymaketheroll.Whilethewrestlingmatch goeson,themouthoftheAzalincarvinglaughsatandgoadstheopener,callinghimorher weakandusingotherjibes.IftheDMknowsofasensitivespotintheopenersego,thedoor jabsatit.

22.AudienceWithAzalin ReadthefollowingwhenthePCsenterthisarea.IfthePCsdidnotremovetheIconfrom RavenloftfromthecastleinFromtheShadows,thenomitthecopyinboldprint. //Hereinliesaroomofdarkandterriblebeauty.Adozenlampsingoldensconceshang fromtheceilingandburnwithreddishfire,castingabloodyshadeoflightovertheentireroom. Theceilingisdepthlessblackandspeckledwithstarsthatsparkle,andacometslowlypacesits wayacrossthecanopyofnight.Thewallsarebonewhite,polished,andhavebeencarvedwith depictionsofhorribleexecutionstheexpressionsonthevictimsfacesaresorealthattheyseem toturnandlooktowardtheirimpendingdoom.Alushcarpetcoversthefloor,dyedindesigns thatbaffletheeyeandmaketheviewerdizzy.Arankincensehangsintheair,notrottenlike corpses,butheadyandsickeninglikedeathitself.Toinhaleitistobreathedoom,tofeelthecold touchofthegrimreaperonyourshoulder. Withintheroombeyond,Azalinsitsuponathroneofmeldedbonesandmotionsforyou toenterhisparlour.Yes,yes,itsmethistime,thelichlordsays.No,no,putupyour weapons.Youdbedeadalreadyifitweremywish,sodontwastemytimewithfoolishheroism. YouvecomefortheHolySymbol(andtheIcon).Ofcourseyourewelcometoit(them), solongasyouuseit(them)todestroyStrahdvonZarovich!Inthiscauseweareallies,arewe not?// IfthePCsattack,20invisiblequasimancers,standingalongthewallsoftheroom,retaliate. Aquasimancerisaghast(MCI/II)thathashadanumberofspellspluggedintoitsbrainbya lich.Itcancastthematwill.Azalinhaspluggedalightningboltandaconeofcoldintoeachof theseminions.Quasimancerssharethequalitiesofalllichminions.SinceAzalinhimselfis present,turningundeadattemptsaremadewitha4penalty(a20isrequiredfora12thlevel priest).Asthequasimancersattack,AzalinbidsthePCstosurrender.(SeeVanRichtensGuideto theLich,ChapterVII,forfulldetailsconcerningthequasimancer.) IfanyPCuttersthenameFiranZalhonan,readthefollowing. //Azalinfreezesupontheutteranceofthatnameandseemstobecomeastatuebefore you.Amomentpasses,thenhebreakstheholdandsnarlsatyou. Youaredeadlyadversaries,indeed!Iwoulddestroyyou,butweneedeachother.Make yourdemandsofmequickly,beforeIchangemymind!// Presumably,thePCswillattempttoconvinceAzalintosendthembackintimeatthis point.Azalinwillquestionthematlengthaboutthenatureoftheirmission,andhellpretendto believewhateverthePCstellhim.Hellaskhowtheyhidhisphylactery(hesthoroughly perplexedathowtheymadeitdisappear),andhelltrytomakethereturnofhisphylacterya partofthebargain,ofcourse.Intheend,thelichwillpretendtotrustinthehonorofthePCs, eventhoughheexpectsthemtotrytotaketheskullwiththemtoCastleRavenloft,toputiton thealtarwiththeHolySymbol. AzalingivesintothePCsrequesttosendthembackintime.Heshouldactsuspicious ofthem,butadmitthattheyhavehiminabitofafixforaslongasthephylacteryremainshidden (andtheyknowhistruename). IfthePCsdemandit,AzalinsummonsthebodiesofallkilledPCsandrestoreseveryone tofullhealth.WhenthePCsarereadytogobackintime,readthefollowing.

//Suchmagicwillrequireagreatdealofmypowers,andalittletime,Azalintellsyou. Isuggestyoutakeadvantageofthemomenttorelearnyourspellsandotherwiseprepareto fightStrahdwhenyoureturn. WhenIamready,youmustlieuponthefloorandconcentrateupontheplaceandtime towhichyouwishtogo.// Azalinspreparationtakesabout10hours,duringwhichtimehesitsonhisthrone, mumblingtohimself.ThePCsarefreetomoveabouttheroom,buttheyshouldbequiet.They mayevendiscoverthesecretdoortoArea29andfindtheholyrelic(s)Azalindoesntcare.If theymaketoomuchnoise,though,AzalinhissesSilence!andreturnstohisreverie. Finally,thelichisreadytocasthispowerfulspellreadthenexttext. //Azalinbidsyoutolieonthefloorandconcentrateuponyourdestination,thenhe beginstocasthismagic.Asensationofsleepcomesuponyou,thenlightnessastheroomfades away.Somewhereinthebackofyourmind,youhearAzalinsvoicesaying,Thinkofmeasyou takepossessionofanotherbody.Todosoistoexperiencetheexistenceofalich!// HistoryRemade WhenthePCsawaken,theyfindthemselvesinthebodiesoffootsoldierswearingvery oldfashionedarmor.Readthefollowing. //Itsdawnwhenyouregaincontrolofyoursenses.Yourestupongroundstainedwith thebloodofcountlessbattles,tornandmuddiedbythefeetofhundredsofsoldiers.Asfarasthe eyecansee,thefieldsarecoveredwithcampfires,andsoldiersmovelikeswarmsofblackants, preparingforanotherdayofbloodycombatanddeath. Nearby,onahill,agrandtentispitched,andsturdyguardsstandatattentionallaround it.Abovethecanvas,athick,unnaturallyblackcloudhangs,occasionallylitbyitsownsparksof lightning.YouveseenthatcloudbeforeitsInajirascallingcard.// Theactioninthissceneisfairlystraightforward.ThePCsarefootsoldiersinStrahds army.Theycannotcastanyspells,fortheylackthecomponentsanddexterityneeded,andthey cantcalluponweaponspecialization,fortheirbodiesarenotpracticedinthemartialarts. Theyllbeflatlyrefusediftheyasktospeakwiththegeneral,sotheymustfighttheirway thoughtheonlydoor.TheDMshouldkeepenoughguardscomingtomakeitagoodfight.He orshecankillmostofthePCs,butmustallowatleastonetopenetratethe50footsquaretent. (ThedeathofaPCsendshimorherbacktothepresent.)WhenaPCbreachesthetent,readthe nexttext. //Insidethetent,Strahdstandsbehindalargetablewithseveraladvisors.Thegeneral lookspowerful,buthesdefinitelyhuman.Ontheothersideofthetable,standingwithina magicalcircleonthefloorstandsInajira.Theyugolothurges,SigntheBookofKeeping,Strahd vonZarovich,andBaroviaisyours! ButyourpresencedistractsInajira.Whoisthisintruder?hedemands.Aspy? Treachery!Treachery!Illkillyouall!Thefiendbeginstopressagainsttheinvisiblewallofthe wardingcirclewithallhismightitbeginstocrackleelectrically. Iknownotwhohe(she)is,claimsStrahd.Toyouhesays,Begone,soldier! Withaloudcrack,thewardingcircleshatters,andInajiraisloose!//

InajirawillimmediatelyattackthePCs.NowisthetimethePCshouldcry Arcanalothatum!,atwhichtimeInajirafreezes,shuddersviolently,anddisappears.Strahd shrieksinrageandcries,Traitor(s)!Deathtoyou,foryouhavebroughtdeathtome!Heleaps forwardandkillstheremainingPCs.EitherwaythePCsareallkilledinStrahdstent. PCsassoldiers:Intvariable;AC5(chainmail);MV12;HD3;hp18;THAC018;#AT1;Dmg1d8 (longsword);SZM. Guards:Intavg(10);AC5(chainmail);MV12;HD5;hp25;THAC016;#AT1;Dmg1d8(long sword);SZM;ML15;ALLG;XP270. GeneralStrahdvonZarovich:Intgenius(17);AC0(platemail,cloak);MV9;HD20;hp115; THAC01;#AT2/1;Dmg1d10+2;SA+1tohit(18Str);SDnone;SZM;ML18;ALLG;XP12,000. WhenallPCsarekilled,readthenexttext. //YouarrivebackinAzalinslairandfeelasthoughyouhaventbeengoneamoment. Thelichsitsonhisthronewithhisheadbowedinexhaustionanddoesntmove.// Defeatingthelichnowisassimpleasstrikinghimuntilhesdeprivedofallhitpoints. Azalinseemstotiredtofightback,andheonlyscreamsinamixtureofagonyandfuryasthePCs destroyhim.UtteringFiranZalhonantotallyincapacitatesthelich,andhedoesnteven screamattheirattacks.Thissendshisspiritbackintohisphylactery. IfthePCschoosenottokillAzalin,heleadsthemtotheholyrelicsandshowsthema quickwayoutofhislairtheyneedonlysitonhisthroneandsayup,andtheyllinstantlybe senttothesurface.WhenallthePCsaregone,thelichsendshimselfbackintohisphylactery, preparingforthefinalshowdownwithStrahd. 23.AzalinsLaboratory ThesecretdoorbehindAzalinsthroneisasimpleslidingpanel,fairlyeasytospot(+2 bonustosearches).ThecorridorbeyondleadstoAzalinslaboratory.Severaltablesarestocked withbooks,labinstruments,beakers,candlesforheatingsolutions,jarscontainingeitherliquids orspecimenslivinganddead,andsoon.Thebooksarenonmagical,containingarcaneformulae, mathematicalcalculations,andnotesinacrypticlanguage,impossibletodecipher.Thereare threemagicalitemslyingononelabtable;avacuousgrimoire,abagofdevouring,andacenserof summoninghostileairelementals. Atthenorthendofthelabisastonealtarofsorts.OnitreststheHolySymbolandthe Icon(ifappropriate).Theitemsareheldinvelvetvicegrips,andaprotectionfromgood,10radius wardhasbeencastuponthealtartoprotectAzalinfromtheeffectsoftherelics.Hesalsocasta permanentobscureobject(thereverseoflocateobject)ontherelicstopreventthePCsfrom detectingtheirlocation. //Atlast!Theobjectofyourquestliesbeforeyou.TheHolySymbolglowswarmlyat yourapproach,andyoufeelaprofoundsenseofcomfortandreliefinitspresence. NowanimageofthealtaratCastleRavenloftfloatsbeforeyourmindseye,andyou realizethatthequestishalfover.IfyoucanreturntothecastleandunitetheHolySymbolandthe phylacteryonthealtar,youllfinallybeabletorestpeacefully,nomatterwhatelsehappens.//

OnthewestsideoftheroomisaonewaydoorthatleadstoAreas8through11ofLevel 3.Acrankraisesandlowerstheentire10footby10footsectionofwall.

BacktoCastleRavenloft
WhenthePCsemergefromAzalinslair,theyllfindtheyhaventreversedtheGrand Conjunctionatall.Tothecontrary,theyveopenedthegateswidebyfulfillingHyskosasHexad. Nowthemististhickerthanever,limitingvisibilityto50feet.Minorconjunctionsnolongertake placebecauseRavenloftnolongerexists!Instead,monsterswanderaboutindroves.(TheDMcan usetheMinorConjunctionEncounterChartasawanderingmonsterchartnow,assigninga95% chanceperhourthatthePCshaveanencounter.)TheentiretownofVallakiisnowdecimated andlifeless(butnotunlifeless). ThelittleghostgirlthatthePCspickedupontheirfirsttourofVallakiisstillwiththem, butshesahorriblyrottedsemblanceofwhatshewaswhentheyfirstmether.Herskinispeeling awayfromtheboneandherhairisfallingout.AttheDMsoption,herappearancecanprompt horrorchecks,fromthePCs,especiallyiftheyveadoptedher. Anebrounisntinthechurchiftheylookforher.Sheretrievedtheskullassoonas historychanged.IfthePCsareunsureofwhattodo,havethemmakeWisdomchecks.Remind thosewhorollsuccessfullyofInajiraswordsatSvalichPass:Tothepersonwhorecoversmy BookIwillbemostgrateful!ThePCsneedtogettheirhandsonthetome,butwhattodowithit oncetheygetitremainstobeseen. ApproachingtheCastle AfterfightingtheirwaythroughthemonstersmillingaboutinVallaki,thePCsmightbe cheeredatthesightofthegatesofBaroviaswingingwideattheirapproach,welcomingthem back.This,ofcourse,isasignthatStrahdawaitsthem,whichmightalsomakethePCsfeelfairly uncomfortable.Thedrawbridgeisdownandtheresnosignoflifeinthecastle.(TheDMcan insertafewundeadguardsandcourtierswanderingthecastle,foratmosphereorforabattleif thePCsarefresh.) FindingtheRoyalCrypt WhenthePCsenterthecastle,theyshouldrecallKristianaswordsinthechapel:That stairwellclimbsthehightower.Itis380feettallfromthetipofthetowertotheroyalcrypt below.Iftheydont,callforIntelligencecheckstoremindthem.Mostofthecastleisntdetailed inthismodule,andifthePCsdecidetowander,theDMmayhavetocreateroomdescriptions. Giventheurgencyofthequest,however,thePCssimplydonthavetimeforexploring. IfthePCsdonthavetheIconnow,thenitsgonefromthechapelaltarwhentheyenter thatarea.IftheytrytoplacetheHolySymbolonthealtar,nothinghappens.Theyllstillneedthe phylacterytoreversetheGrandConjunction. WhenthePCsfinallylocatethecryptviathecircularstaircaseoffthechapel(Area7on themap),Strahdiswaitingthereforthem,intheshadowsandoutofsight.BothStrahdand Azalinarewithinthecrypt(althoughAzaliniswithinhisphylactery,unbeknownsttoStrahd). Therefore,theycreateadoublesinkholeofevil:allsavingthrowsaremadewitha8penalty(4 perdarklord). ReadthenexttextasthePCsenterthecrypt. //Thickwhitefogcarpetsthefloorofthecrypt,andittwistsaboutyourkneesasifit hidesasecretmenacelurkingatyourfeet.Itsquietdownheredeadlyquietbutthenamost unwelcomesoundbreaksthesilence.

Welcometothefamilycrypt,saysStrahdfromtheshadows,hisvoiceechoingoffthe walls.ImustsaythatIoweyouadebtofgratitudeforfulfillingHyskosasprophecy.Nowthe GrandConjunctionissecure.Helaughsatyournaivet;apparentlyyouveplayedrightintohis plans. Asyoumayhavededuced,IdidnotdieonthebattlefieldafterthepactwithInajirawas aborted,andthatvictorywasmuchsweeter,foritwasallmine!Strahdssuddenlaughsendsa chilldownyourspine,butthenhissonorousvoicecontinuesinthedark. IkepttheBookofKeeping,ofcourse,foryouconvenientlysentInajiraawaywithoutit. Thankyouforthataswell!Unfortunately,IsomewhatfoolishlylockeditupwiththeHolySymbol ofRavenkindthatmuchhasnotchanged.Therefore,Ihaveapropositionforyou:Illtradeyou thephylacteryfortheHolySymbolandtheIcon.Or,ifyoulike,IllhaveAnebroundestroythe phylacteryforallofus. AgainStrahdlaughs.Hesaysgleefully,And,ofcourse,Illletyoulive!// Strahdsvoiceechoesinthecrypt,makingitimpossibletotellwhereheis.Anebroun stepsfromtheshadowsandintothewidecorridorthatbisectsthecryptfromwesttoeast,about 30feetfromthePCs.Thewizardessshimmersslightly,asshehascastaglobeofinvulnerability uponherself.Sheholdsupthephylacteryandsaysthefollowing: //Imsorryitcametothis,butIvealwaysservedthevonZarovichline,andIcantstop now.Believeme,Strahddoesntmeananyharmtoyouyouvesethimfree! Justdroptheitem(s)onthefloorandbackaway,Illthrowtheskulltoyouordestroyit, whicheveryouwant.TheresnowaytoreversetheGrandConjunctionnow.Youvesealeditby fulfillingHyskosasprophecy.Youronlyhopenowistofindanewcauseoranewmaster,likeI did.// Anebrounisusingherringofhumaninfluencetocastacharmandsuggestionspellonthe personholdingtheitem(s).IfthePCshavethemtuckedoutofsight,shechoosestheleaderof thegrouporthepersonmostlikelytohavethem(shestraveledwiththepartyandis exceptionallyintelligent,soshehasatleasta75%chancetoguesswhohasthem).Dontforget the8penaltytosavingthrows. IfthePCsdontobject,themissionisafailure.StrahdandAnebrounsendtheirforces (seebelow)againstthePCsandjoininthefight,attemptingtokilltheentireparty.Morethan likely,though,therewillbeanobjectionamongthePCsifthesuggestionvictimfailsthesaveand startstocomply.Ifso,rollforinitiative.Anebrounraisesherstaff(imbuedwiththemagicstaff spellcastingtimeof1)andcastsfireball,thenstepsbackintotheshadowsandteleportsintothe stairwell(Area7),outofsightandreadytotrapthePCsiftheytrytoescape. StrahdleapsoutfrombehindVault21.Rollforsurprise.Heattacksanyonewhostands fartherthan10feetfromtheHolySymbol.Ifitsusedagainsthim,hereactswithterror, immediatelytakesgaseousform,andfleesintoVault21.Fromthere,heteleportstohischamber andsayswithasneer,Allright,heroes,findtheBookyourselves,andtrustmewhenyoudo, youlldealoryoulldie! IfthePCsopenVault21,theyencounteragroaningspirit(MCI/II)(seeVault21,below). StrahdwaitspatientlywhilethePCssearchfortheBookofKeeping,whichliesinVault35. NotetheteleportertrapsthatsurroundtheentrancetoStrahdschamber(Area8).Ifany PCstepsononeofthesetraps,seeVault14. TheSearch

EachofthevaultsrequiresacombinedStrengthof20toopen.Theyareornatelycarved boxeswithmarblelids. StrahdhascastanantimagicshellinthealcovenexttoVault35andrendereditmagically permanent(seethemap).Hence,theBookcannotbelocatedthroughmagicalmeans,andno spellcanbecastinany10footsquareadjoiningthecenterofthespell. _ Vault1:SpectreAbCenteer.Shewalksthatpathofpainand torment.Agifttoallwholookuponherstill. IfthePCstrytoopenthevault,theyfindtheareabehinditiscollapsed. _ Vault2:ArtistaDeSlopCourtCeilingPainter.

Vault3:TheLadyIsoldeYunk(IsoldetheIncredible)Purveyorof AntiquesandImports. _ Vault4:PrinceAerialDuPlumette(AerialtheHeavy). Theplaqueonthisvaultiswornawaysobadlythatonlyadwarfcharactercandetectthe presenceofthewriting.Ifthecharactersopenthisvault,thefatghost(MCI/II)ofPrinceAerial emergesandattacks. _ Vault5:ArtankSwilovich:Hereinterredwithgreatmourning, courtesyoftheBarovianWineDistillersBrotherhood. _ Vault6:Thenameandepitaphonthiscrypthavebeenclawedoffas ifbysomemad,tormentedbeast.Again,onlyadwarfcharactercanmakeoutthewords.The stoneonceread,MaryaMarkovia:Greatwasherbeauty,undonebyajealoushand.Insideisa rottedcorpse.(HorrorcheckattheDMsoption.) _ Vault7:Thestonedoorofthisvaultliesonthefloor,partially openbutobscuredbyfog.Ragsofwhitelinenlieflatontheslabwithin,andaleathersacklies onthecloth.IfaPCdisturbsthetomb,aspectre(MCI/II)risesandattacks.Thiscreaturekilled MaryaMarkovia(Vault6),anditscratchedupherheadstone. Theepitaphonthedoorreads:Endorovich(EndorovichtheTerrible):Whatthebloodof athousandslavesdidnotdo,thespurnofasinglewomanaccomplished. _ Vault8:DuchessDorfniyaDilisnya.

_ _

Vault9:Pidlwik(FoolofDorfniya).

Vault10:SirLeanneTriksky(SirLeetheCrusher):Whatsworddid not,timespassagedid. _ Vault11:TashaPetrovna,HealerofKings,LightuntotheWest: ServantCompanion. _ Vault12:KingToisky.

Vault13:KingIntreeKatsky(KatskytheBright,King,Ruler,and Inventor.) _ Vault14:StahbalIndiBahk:AdvisortoEndorovichfromeastern lands.Atruerfriendnorulereverhad.Herelieshisfamilyinhonor. AnyonewhotripsoneoftheteleporttrapsattheentrancetoArea8istransportedintoa coffininthistomb,whichisthreetimeslargerinsidethanitisoutside.Theoccupantofthe coffin,awight(MCI/II),istransportedtotheteleporttrapsiteandattackstheparty. ThePCteleportedintothecoffinisassistedinescapingitbytheotherwightswholivein thetomb.Hisorherscreamscanbeplainlyheard,requiringtworoundstolocatethevault. Thereare15coffins(andwights)here. _ Vault15:KHAZAN:Hiswordwaspower.

Vault16:ElsaFallona.

_ _

Vault17:SirSedrikSpinwitovich(AdmiralSpinwitovich):Confused thoughhewas,hebuiltthegreatestnavalforceeverassembledinalandlockedcountry. _ Vault18:IreenaKolyana:Wife. Vault19:Artimus(BuilderoftheKeep):Thoustandethamidstthe monumenttohislife. _ Vault20:SashaIvliskova:Wife. Thedustuponthisplaqueissothickthatitmustbevigorouslywipedofftoberead. Thisalertsthevampire(MCI/II)withintothepresenceofintruders.Themonstertakesgaseous form,seepsthroughcracksinthevault,reforms,andattacks. _ Vault21:PatrinaVelikovna:Bride. Agroaningspirit(MCI/II)resideswithin.IfthePCsremainwithin5feetofthisvault formorethantworounds,themonsterbeginstowailfor1d6rounds. _ Vault22:SirEricVonderbucks.

_ _ _

Vault23:Thestoneonthisvaultisunmarkedandthetombisempty.

Vault24:IvanDeRose,ChampionofWinterDogRacing.Theracemay gototheswift,butvengeanceisforthelosersrelatives. _ Vault25:StephGregorovich,FirstCounselortoBaronvonZarovich. Vault26:IntreeSikValoo:Hespurnedwealthfortheknowledgehe couldtaketoheaven. _ Vault27:Thevaultisunmarked.Therearethreehugespiders(MC I/II)within. _ Vault28:ArdentPallette,ChefDeluxe.

_ _ _

Vault29:IvanIvanovich,BelovedofAnnaPetrovna.

Vault30:PrefectCirilRomulich(BelovedofKingBarovandQueen Raven):HighPriestoftheMostHolyOrder. _ Vault31:$$:Weonlyknewhimbyhiswealth. Vault32:SaintFinderway,PatronofLostTravelers. SteppingintothisvaultteleportsoneintoArea8,Strahdsvault,wherebothStrahdand Anebrounwait.Anyonewhoentersthisareaissubjecttoimmediateattack.Asilence,15radius spellonthestepsleadinguptotherestofthecryptfromStrahdsvaultpreventsPCsoutside fromhearingpossiblecriesforhelp. _ Vault33:Thisvaulthasnonameuponit,anditisempty.

_ _

Vault34:KingDostron.

Vault35:Thisvaultcontainsametalboxwithanindentationonits topthatperfectlyaccommodatestheHolySymbolofRavenkind.Theboxisanchoredintothefloor ofthevaultandcannotberemoved. WhenthePCsplacetheSymbolintheappropriatespotandopenthebox,skiptoThe BookisFreedsection. _ Vault36:Thestonedoorisclawedandmarkedsononameisreadable, althoughitsobviousthereusedtobeanameonit.Thetombisempty. _ Vault37:GralmoreNimblenobs.

_ _

Vault38:AmericoStandardski(Inventor).

Vault39:BeucephalustheWonderHorse.Maytheflowersgrowever greenerwherehetrod. _ Vault40:TatsaulEris:Lastoftheline.

TheBookisFreed ThemomenttheboxinVault35isopenedandthePCstouchtheBookofKeeping,readthe followingtext.RememberthattheBookofKeepingcanbepickedupandphysicallymovedby anyone,butonlyInajiracantransportitinanyotherway.Therefore,apsioniccharactermight openadimensionaldoorandprovideescapefortheparty,buttheBookwillseemtohitawallas theyattempttopullitthrough. //TheBookofKeepingisntasimpressivelookingasyoumighthavethought,judging fromthepowerfulbeingswhohavebeenfightingoverit.Thecoveristhickwithembossed leather,andastrapsecuresthepageswithacuriouslockthatnocommonkeywouldfit.Other thanthat,itappearstobenothingmorethananoldbook. Asyouliftthebookfromitsbox,youhearthesoundsofshufflingfeetandwhispersin theshadows.Thefogalongthefloortwistsandrolls,disturbedbysomemovement. Thentheshadowstakeshape:Undeadmonstersdozensofthemcorneryouwith yourprize. Now,areyoureadytodeal?asksStrahdsvoicefromthedarkness.// AllowthePCstoreact.Thereare15skeletons,10zombies,10wights,10ghasts,6hell hounds,and6femalevampires(MCI/II,all)crowdingtowardthecornerwherethePCsstand, hemmingthemin.Alsopresentareeightdoomguards(MCRL).Thehellhoundsmovecloser, growlingmenacingly. IfthePCsdontattack,theundeadmerelystandaroundthem,formingawall.IfthePCs attack,allowthefightingtocontinuefor1d4rounds,thenreadthenexttext. //Suddenly,theresacrackoflightningandacrashofthunderthatthreatenstocrumble thewalls.Aferociousgrowlechoesthroughthecrypt,tellingyouInajirahasarrivedand theresnodoubtwhathewants. Thefiendwadesthroughthepackofundead,whichpartslikegrassbeforeagiant,and stops10feetbeforeyou.QueenKristianaisfirmlyinhisgrasp.Shelooksabithaggardand disoriented,butherexpressionturnstonothingbutdefiancewhenshelooksupatthefiend.// ShowthePCswhereInajiraandthequeenstand,betweencrypts30and31.IfthePCs cryoutArcanalothatum,Inajiralooksatthemandjeers,Thatonlyworksonce,andyouusedit up385yearsago.Otherwise,proceedwiththefollowing. //Congratulations,fairwarriorsofjustice!Youvedonewell,sneersthefiend.Now, givememyBookandIllletthequeengo!// HavethePCholdingtheBooksavevs.spell(dontforgetthe8penalty!).Inajiraisusing hisinnatecharmabilitytogetthePCtohanditoverwithoutafight.IfthePCfailsthecheck,he orshefeelsthatInajiraistheironlychancetocomeoutofthesituationalive.ThePCwillnot attackInajiraunlessthefiendattacksfirst,atwhichtimethesavingthrowisrerolled,perthe spell.IftheresultcausessomeinterestinginteractionbetweenthePCs,letitplayout.Otherwise, proceedtothenexttext. //No!criesStrahdsvoice.Hisvoiceechoesmagically,makingitsoundasthoughthe entireroomisfilledwithhiswords.Ifyougivehimthatbook,hellkillusall.

Inajirasnarlsviciouslyandpeersintotheshadows,murmuringbalefully,Strahd,where areyou,oldfriend?Wehaveascoretosettle.// Atthispoint,thePCsnoticeAnebrounsneakingupbehindInajiraandthequeen.Allow thePCstoreact,thenreadthenexttext. //Theoldwizardesspullsalargegemfromthefoldsofherrobe,holdsitaloft,andcries, Inajira!Suddenly,thegemblazeswithwhitehotintensitybetweenherfingersassheholdsit out,towardthefiend. Inajiraturnsandlooksather,andthenhelaughs.Tryingtotrapmysoulinastone, wizard?Thatsaproblem,forIhavenosoultotrapbutyoudo,Anebroun! ThemomentInajirapronounceshername,Anebrounscreamsandfallstothefloor, droppingthegem.Inajirakneels,picksupthestone,andcrushesitinhispowerfulhandapuff ofsmokefiltersthroughhisfingers,allthatisleftofAnebrounsspirit.Thentheyugoloth reachesintoapocketoftherobeandproducesAzalinsphylactery.Thisspirithouseis occupied,heremarks. Kristianalooksathimsharplyandthentoyouwithsuddenalertness.Quickly!she cries.TouchtheHolySymboltotheBookofKeeping!Itsouronlychance! Stillonhisknee,thefienddropsAzalinsphylactery,spinsyourway,andcries,No,no, no,NO!Thegroundandthewallsshakewithhisroar.// ThePCshaveoneroundtodoasKristianaorders.Duringthattime,Inajiralashesoutat Kristiana,knockinghertothefloorwheresheliesdazed.Azalinsphylacteryliesforgottenon thefloornexttoAnebrounsbody. AcharmedpersonwillresisttheattempttotouchtheHolySymboltotheBook.Afterthe firstround,InajirawillbeuponthePCs,focusingonthecharacterholdinghisBook.TheHoly Symbolinflicts4d12pointsofdamageifpressedagainstthefiend,anditdisruptsanyspellor spelllikeabilityhemaybeusing. IfthePCssucceedintouchingtheHolySymboltotheBookofKeeping,theBookburstsinto flames,inflicting2d10pointsofdamageuponanyonewithin5feet.Inajirabellowswithrageand yells,NowIcannevergohome!Never!Never!HeattacksthePCs. Oneroundlater,StrahdjointhebattleagainstInajira,commandinghislegionstofallback totheopenareainfrontofthestepsandcutoffanyonewhotriestoescape. Aftertwomoreroundsofbattle,orbeforethePCsreachthephylactery,readthenext text. //TheresabrilliantglowemanatingfromAzalinsphylactery,lyingonthefloorby Anebrounsbody.Itlightstheroomasifthesunhadjustriseninthecrypt.Azalinrisesfromthe floorandlooksovertheconfusionwithasadisticlaugh.ThenhespiesStrahdandhislaughter turnstovenomoushissing. Strahd!heroars.Faceme,bloodsucker! Strahdspotshisnemesisandimmediatelyabandonsthepresentbattletolashoutat Azalin.Thetwolockinanembraceofdeath,andmagicsizzlesandsparksaroundthemasthey wrestleforcontroloveroneanother.Inthescuffle,StrahdkicksAzalinsphylacteryanditrolls towardyou!// ThephylacteryrollsabouthalfwaytothePCsposition.Assoonasoneofthempicksit up,readthenexttext.

//Stopthem!screamsAzalininthemidstofhisstrugglewithStrahd.Stopthemor webothgobacktotheshadowprison! Forthefirsttime,StrahdandAzalinhaveacommoncause.Theyabandontheirstruggle andturnonyou. Suddenly,Inajiraisuponthetwodarklords.Thenescapetheyshall!hegrowls.IfI cantgohome,nobodygoeshome!Helooksyourway.Flee,mortalfools,andsundertheGrand Conjunction! Thethreeevilsuperbeingsfallintoafrenziedanddesperatecontest.Thedintheyraise isathousandarmiesofwarwizardsengagedinasuicidal,desperatebattle.Deflectedmagicrips throughtheair,straylightningpulverizesthewallsandceilingnearyou,andtheshrieksand howlsyouhearsizzlelikeacidinyourears.// Kristianaiswobbly,butshecanwalkifthePCsgotoherrescueandhelpherup.After 1d6rounds,sherecoversenoughtohelpthePCsfight.ThePCsmustfighttheirwaythrough Strahdsforcesthatblockthestaircase.Throughoutitall,thesuperbeingsbattlewillrageinthe background,shakingthecastletoitsfoundation,butoncethePCsbreakthroughStrahdsforces, thewayisfreetothealtar.Ifthefightisnotsufficientlychallenging,theDMcanpostaphalanx ofmonstersaroundthealtar,offeringthePCsonemorebattle. ThemomenttheHolySymbolandAzalinsphylactery(andtheIcon,ifpossible)areplaced there,mistswellsupfromeverycorneroftheroom.ThePCshavecompletedtheirmission,and nowthelordsanddenizensofRavenloftarebeingdrawnbackwheretheybelong. IfthePCsbroughtKristianaalongandsheisstillalive,readthefollowing. //Suddenly,thebattlebelowfallssilentasthemistssweepacrossthefloorofthechapel andswallowthepews.Kristianaclaspsherhandstogetherandsays,Godsbepraised,thecurse isbrokenandmypoorhusbandmayrest! Thenthequeencatchesherbreathandgasps.Strahdisstandingatthetopofthesteps, leaningagainstthedoorway,reachingouttowardKristiana.Hisclothingisrippedtoshredsand hesinlittlebettercondition. Mylord?asksKristianainadaze. Kristiana,mylove,runtome!criesStrahd,hisvoicevelvetyandirresistible,yetedged withdireurgency.// Thequeenseyesglazeover,asifshesfallenunderaspell.UnlessthePCsstopher,she runstowardStrahd,whofranticallymatchesherpacetoreachher.However,thefogbillows upwardandswallowsthembeforetheycanreachoneanother.IfthePCspreventthequeenfrom runningtoStrahd,thenthemistsswallowhimupbeforehegetshalfwayacrosstheroom. Apitiful,heartbreakingwailgoesupinthefog.Onceagain,StrahdvonZarovichhas comewithinafingertipsbreadthofachievinghisfondestdream,onlytofeelherslipaway. Conclusion Fromhere,theDMmaytakethepartyanywhere.TheymaybetakenbackintoRavenloft withthemists,orthegodsmayseefittorewardthemfortheirworkandkeeptheminthePrime MaterialPlane. IftheystayinPrimeMaterialBarovia,theyfindoutthatKristianaimmediatelysetsto workrebuildingthekingdom.TheDMmightsendthePCsonadditionalquestsonherbehalf,or letthemwanderoffastheywill.

IfthePCsgobacktoRavenloft,theyhadbetterstayclearofBaroviaandDarkon.Neither StrahdnorAzalinwillforgetthesepeoplewhofoiledtheirdearestplans,andthelordsof Ravenloftsolongastheystaytherewillrememberthedeedforalong,longtime!

MonstrousCompendiumAppendix
Yugoloth,GreaterArcanaloth CLIMATE/TERRAIN:Lowerplanes FREQUENCY:Veryrare ORGANIZATION:Solitary ACTIVITYCYCLE:Any DIET:Carnivore INTELLIGENCE:Supragenius(1920) TREASURE:H ALIGNMENT:Neutralevil NO.APPEARING:13 ARMORCLASS:8 MOVEMENT:12,Fl18(B) HITDICE:12+24 THAC0:9 NO.OFATTACKS:3 DAMAGE/ATTACK:1d4/1d4/2d6 SPECIALATTACKS:Clawsting SPECIALDEFENSES:+3orbetterweapontohit,spellimmunity MAGICRESISTANCE:60% SIZE:M(6) MORALE:Champion(1516) XPVALUE:49,500 Thearcanalothsaretherecordkeepersoftheyugolothsandthemaintainersofcontracts. Asyugolothsgo,theyareacivilizedbreed. Anarcanalothappearsasarobedhumanwiththeheadofafangedjackalorwardog. Arcanalothsareusuallysnarlingandhavegreathatredintheireyes.However,theydonot considerthemselvestobefoulanimals,andtheykeepthemselveswellgroomedanddressed. Asspokesmenfortheirrace,arcanalothscanspeakandwritealllanguages. Combat:Thephysicalattackofthepowerfularcanalothconsistsofaclaw/claw/biteroutine. Eachclawinflicts1d4pointsofdamageperhitandcausesapowerfulstingingsensationonits opponentthatcauseshimtosuffera1penalty(cumulativeperhit)onhisattackrolls.Bless, neutralizepoison,orslowpoisoneliminatetheseotherwisepermanenteffects.Arcanalothspossess allabilitiesofa12thlevelwizard,andtheycommonlymemorizedestructivespells.Arcanaloths shouldhavearandomlydeterminedspellbook. Allyugolothsareabletoperformthefollowingatwill:alterself,animatedead,causedisease (reverseofcuredisease),charmperson,improvedphantasmalforce,produceflame,andteleportwithout error.Theyalsocangateintheirfellowsifnecessary.(Duetothequarrelsomenatureofthebreed, theresa25%chancethatgatedyugolothswillturnontheirsummoner.Arcanalothsmayattempt togatein1d6mezzoloths,1d2dergholoths,or1arcanaloth.Theymayattemptthisonceperday, witha40%chanceofsuccess.) Arcanalothscanalsoperformthefollowingfunctionsonceperround,oneatatime,at will:advancedillusion(onceperday),continualdarkness,controltemperature10radius,fear(onceper

day),fly(unlimitedduration),heatmetal,invisibility,magicmissile,shapechange(toanyhumanoid form),telekinesis,andwarpwood. Arcanalothsaresuprageniusesandwillusespelllikeabilitiestotheirbestadvantage.In general,theyavoidhandtohandcombat.Theyareimmunetomindaffectingspellsandwillsee enchantmentsforwhattheyare. Habitat/Society:Arcanalothsarerecordandcontractkeepersfortheyugoloths.Theynegotiate allbargainswithbaatezuandtanarri,andtheyplaythesetwosidesagainsteachotherwith practicedeaseanidentifyingcharacteristicofthebreedisitscompletedisregardforloyalty. Theywillopenlydiscussonerivalsofferwithanotherduringthecontractualprocess,hopingto causeabiddingwar.Oneshouldnotusetheminanymercenarycapacityunlessonehas considerablepower. Ecology:Arcanaloths,likeallyugoloths,playacasualroleinthelegendaryBloodWars(seethe OuterPlanesappendixoftheMONSTROUSCOMPENDIUMTM).Theyarethetradersand barterersandmasterschemersbehindtheyugolothssuccessasmercenaries.Ofcourse, arcanalothsdontperformthistaskforthegloryoftheirrace,butforpersonalgainonly. ThepreferreddwellingofthearcanalothistheplaneofGehenna.Theyneverleavethat planeifatallpossible,andonlydosoforverybriefperiodsoftime. TheBookofKeeping:Yugolothsareservantsandmercenariesbynature,sotheyareproneto summoningsandconjurationsbyspellcastersonthePrimeMaterialPlane.Anytimeawizard attemptstosummonalowerplanarbeing,heorsheis40%likelytosummonayugoloth. However,aBookofKeepingdetailstheprocessesofsummoningandcontrollingayugoloth, whethergreaterorlesser.Someofthesetomesevenlistthepersonalnamesofthesecreatures, andutteringthenamewillbringthatcreature. IfayugolothgainscontrolofaBookofKeeping,heclaimsitforhisownanditbecomesa recordandtestamenttohisnegotiatingskills,gaininghimconsiderablepoweramonghispeers. ButwoetoayugolothwholoseshisBook,fordoingsodisgraceshim,andmorewoetothe creaturewhoattemptstokeepitorhideitfromhim!