Strahd's Visits

Strahd's presence across the campaign (ADR 0014): he watches from a ridge, writes, comes to a camp at night, tests the party on the road and leaves, comes for Ireena where she shelters, and sends his black carriage with a dinner invitation. Read by story/strahd_presence.gd; design in docs/regions/strahd_presence.md.

At least 12 hours pass between visits. He never comes in Castle Ravenloft, Death House, Into the Mists, nor to St. Andral's Church, Village Church, The Pool of the White Sun, The Church of St. Markovia, Madam Eva's Tent.

Watcher

On the first journey after the burial, a rider in black watches the party from a ridge above the road and is gone in a lift of bats.

When: burgomaster buried or strahd met (once)

First Letter

From the third day on, a Vistani rider hands over Strahd's first letter: a host's welcome that knows too much.

When: strahd watcher seen (once)

Night Visit

From the fourth day on, at a Long Rest through the night, the one on watch wakes to find him standing beyond the firelight.

When: strahd watcher seen (once)

Test of Strength

On a night road, once the party is level 7, he steps out of the fog with wolves to see what they can do, and leaves after a few rounds or when hurt.

When: strahd watcher seen and level ≥ 7 (once)

Ireena At the Inn

Ireena left at the Blue Water Inn: on a night in Vallaki from the fourth day on, he is at her window and she is going to him.

When: strahd watcher seen and ireena sanctuary is “inn” and not ireena with the party (once)

Ireena In Krezk

Ireena left with the Krezkovs: on a night in Krezk from the fourth day on, the wall has not kept him out of her window.

When: strahd watcher seen and ireena in krezk and not ireena with the party (once)

Ireena At the Church

Ireena in sanctuary at St. Andral's: on a night in Vallaki the bell tolls by itself and he calls her from the churchyard gate. Holy ground holds.

When: strahd watcher seen and ireena sanctuary is “st andrals” and not ireena with the party (once)

Invitation

Once the party is level 9, his driverless black carriage waits on the road with a dinner invitation. Getting in takes the party to the castle's front door; refused, it comes back (up to three times).

When: strahd watcher seen and level ≥ 9 and strahd invitation isn't “accepted”

Eyes At the Window

Once he is watching the party (attention: watched), a bat at the shutters during a Long Rest indoors at night.

When: strahd watcher seen and attention ≥ watched (once)

Letter of Grievance

Once the party is marked (attention: marked), a raven brings his list of what they have done to him.

When: strahd watcher seen and attention ≥ marked (once)

The Hunt

Once the party is hunted (attention: hunted), his spawn and wolves fall on their camp at night, without him.

When: strahd watcher seen and attention ≥ hunted