# The River Ivlis Crossroads

> From the Curse of Strahd game wiki (it covers the whole game, spoilers included): https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.html. Unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy, not approved or endorsed by Wizards of the Coast.

> [!infobox]
> ![loc svalich crossroads 1](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/img/shots/loc-svalich-crossroads-1.webp)
> **Region:** [The Old Svalich Road](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/regions/the-old-svalich-road.md) · level 4
> **Resting:** Risky
> **Light:** dim, outdoors
> **Getting here:** the travel map (The Ivlis Crossroads)
> **Quests:** [Count Off](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/count-off.md), [Grandda's Trail](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/granddas-trail.md), [The Count's Huntsman](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/the-counts-huntsman.md), [The Grey Mare](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/the-grey-mare.md) and 3 more

## Overview

Where the Old Svalich Road crosses the River Ivlis and meets the track to Tser Falls and the road climbing south toward the castle. A gallows stands at the junction, and it is not empty.

A stone bridge carries the road over the Ivlis. East lies the village of Barovia, west Tser Pool and Vallaki, north the river track to the falls; south, a steeper road climbs toward the castle on its cliff. A gallows stands beside the signpost, and behind it a field of unmarked mounds.

**Resting:** Risky: a rest here can be interrupted.

![loc svalich crossroads overview](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/img/shots/loc-svalich-crossroads-overview.webp)
*The whole place from above.*

## Getting here

### Ways in

- **The travel map:** The Ivlis Crossroads, in Barovia.

### Ways out

| # | Exit | Leads to | Only when |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Old Svalich Road, east to the village | the travel map |  |
| 2 | The Old Svalich Road, west to Tser Pool and Vallaki | the travel map |  |
| 3 | The river track north, to Tser Falls | the travel map |  |
| 4 | The road south, to Castle Ravenloft | the travel map | false |

## Map

![svalich crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/img/maps/svalich-crossroads.svg)

**Key:** gold, people; red, containers; purple, hidden finds; teal, skill checks; white, exits; orange, traps. The numbers match the lists on this page.

### Close up

![loc svalich crossroads spot1](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/img/shots/loc-svalich-crossroads-spot1.webp)
*the gallows, a signpost*

![loc svalich crossroads spot2](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/img/shots/loc-svalich-crossroads-spot2.webp)
*the bridge parapet, a raven on a fencepost*

![loc svalich crossroads spot3](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/img/shots/loc-svalich-crossroads-spot3.webp)
*the road south*

## People

> [!note]- Who turns up at points in the story (4)
> - **[Corporal Vell](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/people/corporal-vell.md)**, The castle road (#5): when night and name ilse varga and quest kestrel company at or past the count and level ≥ 5 and not kestrel vell rests
> - **[The Huntsman](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/people/the-huntsman.md)**, The east road (#6): when night and quest the counts huntsman at hunted
> - **[Gavril](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/people/gavril.md)**, The crossroads (#7): when night and quest the counts huntsman at hunted and hunt quarry is “gavril”
> - **[Iosif the Tinker](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/people/iosif-the-tinker.md)**, The castle road (#8): when quest.the tinkers wagon isn't done and not wagon slain; or when wagon slain and quest.the tinkers wagon isn't done

## What to find

| # | Where | What | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | the bridge footings (hidden) | [Potion of Healing](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/items/equipment.md#potion-of-healing) | Search: Perception DC 13 |
| 13 | a mound that isn't as old as the others (hidden) | [Boots of Elvenkind](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/items/magic-items.md#boots-of-elvenkind) | Search: Perception DC 14 |
| 14 | a hollow behind the milestone (hidden) | [Wand of Web](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/items/magic-items.md#wand-of-web) | Search: Investigation DC 14 |
| 15 | a farmer's cache behind the field wall (hidden) | [Gauntlets of Ogre Power](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/items/magic-items.md#gauntlets-of-ogre-power) | Search: Perception DC 14 |

The containers here also get random magic items and potions, rolled for a party of level 4 the first time you come ([Random Treasure](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/items/random-treasure.md)). Hidden finds need a Search (F) nearby; the party's best roll counts.

### Skill checks

| # | Where | Check | Try | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Unmarked mounds | Survival 13 | Read the disturbed earth | finds Boots of Elvenkind |
| 10 | the bridge parapet | Athletics 12 | Climb down to the bridge footings | finds Potion of Healing; on a failure: 1d4 cold damage |
| 11 | the road south | Survival 14 | Read the tracks on the castle road | lore: The road to the castle |

## Fights

- *On the gallows the hanged man lifts his head. Behind him, all across the field, the mounds begin to split.*, in [The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md): [Strahd Zombie](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/strahd-zombie.md). Part of [The Hanged Man at the Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/the-hanged-man-at-the-crossroads.md).

- Kestrel Patrol, in [The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md): [Vampire Spawn](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/vampire-spawn.md), [Strahd Zombie](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/strahd-zombie.md). Part of [Count Off](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/count-off.md).

- Kestrel Patrol Reached, in [The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md): [Vampire Spawn](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/vampire-spawn.md), [Strahd Zombie](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/strahd-zombie.md). Part of [Count Off](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/count-off.md).

- *The black horse in the traces stamps once, and the empty harness beside it swings. Pale shapes slide out of…*, in [The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md): [Nightmare](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/nightmare.md), [Wight](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/wight.md), [Specter](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/specter.md), [Zombie](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/zombie.md). Scales with your level. Part of [The Grey Mare](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/the-grey-mare.md).
> [!example]- By party level (the first line your party fits is the fight you get)
> - **[The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md)**, when mare saved and level ≥ 5: The Lead Horse ([Nightmare](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/nightmare.md)), The Footman ([Wight](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/wight.md)), The Second Footman ([Wight](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/wight.md)), 3 × [Specter](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/specter.md), 4 × [Zombie](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/zombie.md) (2900 XP)
> - **[The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md)**, when not mare saved and level ≥ 5: The Lead Horse ([Nightmare](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/nightmare.md)), The Footman ([Wight](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/wight.md)), The Second Footman ([Wight](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/wight.md)), 3 × [Specter](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/specter.md), 4 × [Zombie](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/zombie.md), Steaua ([Nightmare](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/nightmare.md)) (3600 XP)
> - **[The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md)**, when mare saved and level ≥ 4: The Lead Horse ([Nightmare](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/nightmare.md)), The Footman ([Wight](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/wight.md)), 2 × [Specter](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/specter.md), 4 × [Zombie](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/zombie.md) (2000 XP)
> - **[The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md)**, when not mare saved and level ≥ 4: The Lead Horse ([Nightmare](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/nightmare.md)), The Footman ([Wight](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/wight.md)), 2 × [Specter](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/specter.md), 4 × [Zombie](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/zombie.md), Steaua ([Nightmare](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/nightmare.md)) (2700 XP)
> - **[The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md)**, when mare saved: The Lead Horse ([Nightmare](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/nightmare.md)), 2 × [Specter](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/specter.md), 3 × [Zombie](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/zombie.md) (1250 XP)
> - **[The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md)**, when not mare saved: The Lead Horse ([Nightmare](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/nightmare.md)), 2 × [Specter](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/specter.md), 3 × [Zombie](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/zombie.md), Steaua ([Nightmare](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/nightmare.md)) (1950 XP)

- *The Huntsman sets the pack on you with one note of the horn, and the hounds come up the road in silence.*, in [The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md): [The Count's Huntsman](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/the-counts-huntsman.md), [Nightmare](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/nightmare.md), [Dire Wolf](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/dire-wolf.md). Scales with your level. Part of [The Count's Huntsman](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/the-counts-huntsman.md).
> [!example]- By party level (the first line your party fits is the fight you get)
> - **[The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md)**, when hounds called and level ≥ 10: [The Count's Huntsman](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/the-counts-huntsman.md), The Huntsman's Mare ([Nightmare](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/nightmare.md)), 4 × Hound of the Hunt ([Dire Wolf](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/dire-wolf.md)) (6500 XP)
> - **[The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md)**, when level ≥ 10: [The Count's Huntsman](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/the-counts-huntsman.md), The Huntsman's Mare ([Nightmare](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/nightmare.md)), 8 × Hound of the Hunt ([Dire Wolf](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/dire-wolf.md)) (7300 XP)
> - **[The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md)**, when hounds called and level ≥ 9: [The Count's Huntsman](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/the-counts-huntsman.md), The Huntsman's Mare ([Nightmare](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/nightmare.md)), 3 × Hound of the Hunt ([Dire Wolf](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/dire-wolf.md)) (6300 XP)
> - **[The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md)**, when level ≥ 9: [The Count's Huntsman](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/the-counts-huntsman.md), The Huntsman's Mare ([Nightmare](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/nightmare.md)), 6 × Hound of the Hunt ([Dire Wolf](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/dire-wolf.md)) (6900 XP)
> - **[The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md)**, when hounds called and level ≥ 8: [The Count's Huntsman](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/the-counts-huntsman.md), The Huntsman's Mare ([Nightmare](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/nightmare.md)), 2 × Hound of the Hunt ([Dire Wolf](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/dire-wolf.md)) (6100 XP)
> - **[The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md)**, when level ≥ 8: [The Count's Huntsman](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/the-counts-huntsman.md), The Huntsman's Mare ([Nightmare](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/nightmare.md)), 4 × Hound of the Hunt ([Dire Wolf](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/dire-wolf.md)) (6500 XP)
> - **[The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md)**, when hounds called: [The Count's Huntsman](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/the-counts-huntsman.md), Hound of the Hunt ([Dire Wolf](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/dire-wolf.md)) (5200 XP)
> - **[The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md)**: [The Count's Huntsman](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/the-counts-huntsman.md), 3 × Hound of the Hunt ([Dire Wolf](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/dire-wolf.md)) (5600 XP)

- *The green wagon stands up off its wheels, and two of the trinkets on its hooks open their own small mouths.*, in [The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md): [The Tinker's Wagon](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/the-tinkers-wagon.md), [Mimic](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/mimic.md). Scales with your level.
> [!example]- By party level (the first line your party fits is the fight you get)
> - **[The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md)**, when level ≥ 6: [The Tinker's Wagon](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/the-tinkers-wagon.md), 3 × A Trinket ([Mimic](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/mimic.md)) (4250 XP)
> - **[The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md)**, when level ≥ 5: [The Tinker's Wagon](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/the-tinkers-wagon.md), 2 × A Trinket ([Mimic](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/mimic.md)) (3800 XP)
> - **[The River Ivlis Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-river-ivlis-crossroads.md)**: [The Tinker's Wagon](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/the-tinkers-wagon.md), A Trinket ([Mimic](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/bestiary/mimic.md)) (3350 XP)

## Quests and lore

- [Count Off](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/count-off.md): Ilse Varga's mercenary company marched into the mists a year ago at the invitation of someone who signed himself S. She was meant to march…
- [Grandda's Trail](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/granddas-trail.md): Thistle was raised in the deep woods by a trapper called Fen Burley. He followed a wolf the size of a pony into a wall of fog and never…
- [The Count's Huntsman](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/the-counts-huntsman.md): On cold nights a horn sounds in the Svalich woods, and in the morning whoever the count is displeased with lies under the crossroads…
- [The Grey Mare](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/the-grey-mare.md): The black carriage that drives itself stopped by Radu's horse pen, and left a purse on the gatepost. Now his best mare is tied at the…
- [The Hanged Man at the Crossroads](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/the-hanged-man-at-the-crossroads.md): A young Vistana hangs from the gallows where the Old Svalich Road crosses the Ivlis, and a girl at Tser Pool is waiting for her brother to…
- [The Tinker's Wagon](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/the-tinkers-wagon.md): A Vistani tinker sells trinkets from a green wagon at the crossroads, and the travellers who buy from him don't come back down the road.
- [The Wizard of Wines](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/the-wizard-of-wines.md): Druids from Yester Hill have driven the Martikov family out of their winery and taken the magic gems, the family's three vine stones, that…