how to survive the death house curse of strahd

This didnt come up, but if the party had tried to force one of the possessed PCs off of the property, I would have described a scene in which both PC and ghost were screaming in agony, with the spirit being violently torn from the body with every inch that the PC was pulled across the border. From the moment the party steps into the town, they'll get a great sense that nothing is right here. The GUIDE index for Curse of Strahd and other related articles can be found here ! I'd recommendat the leastencouraging your players to long rest. Not all of them need to be visited, your group might skip some parts of the house or the dungeon. Always remember: horror is a very personal thing. Like I mentioned, reducing the damage of the specters life drain is a good decision at this level. Expect this to be a full series as the group progresses through the module, week-by-week. Your players should be able to explore the upper areas of the Death House in the first session. They also tried to find other houses in the fog, but quickly realized that they were being railroaded inside once the constitution/exhaustion checks started. THANK YOU SO MUCH. See here for more details. The mists will dictate the places the party can visit. The smoke worked great as a way to keep them moving. The art style is fantastic, but the kids are possibly the creepiest thing in the book. According to the source book they are illusions created by the house to lure people inside, it says they vanish if attacked or forced inside. Where the Death House really stands out is its use of theme. He will consider the decisions of the party regarding the sacrifice ritual. There, in the attic of the model, were 4 dolls: each depicting the various party members. The Count's Crypt. The best was when the team with Scooby, Velma, Shaggy and Fred ended up down stairs and came across a table covered in a Thanksgiving dinner and the turkey was a mimic. Be careful when you use these, though. Copyright Theres no shortage of fantastic adventure modules available for D&D 5e. 2023 Elven Tower Cartography. Death House comes with a beautiful map, but for a quick Halloween game, its faster to avoid all of the deliberations that occur whenever players see a selection of rooms for them to explore. You can let them know something is coming with smell and sounds. Looking over the dolls by the handful, each one showed an expression of pain and fear. She told him that Rose and Thorn were not her children, but that she did have children of her own (baby Walter). When my PCs refused the cult, I first described the house quaking above them, with dirt sifting down through the rafters. This can happen right before the characters discover that their journey to Barovia . If you do this, have the party level up once theyve escaped. If an entire army of Knights could not defeat Strahd, what hope does your party have? Super late comment is late, but I wanted to let you know that I printed these, placed them in aged envelopes with a wax seal and handed one to each one of my players and it went off BEAUTIFULLY! NEXT: Dungeons & Dragons: The Best Online Tools For DMs. This kept them panicked, tense, and on their toes. Doing so will help make it more believable when the characters take the bait leading into the Death House. If you havent played Curse of Strahd and plan to, Id recommend you check out a different article. The Curse of Strahd Companion is your comprehensive guide to running 5th Edition's greatest and grimmest campaign. Full Guide to Warlock Pact Boons in D&D 5e, The Legend of the Peasant Railgun in D&D 5e, Attack of Opportunity in D&D 5e Explained, Best Druid Spells By Level: A Top 10 List, I Had an AI Make a D&D Character (and it got really weird! This is better because you never say the monster name, avoiding metagame knowledge. Be careful. Its almost as difficult and disturbing as the Old Bonegrinder in the same adventure! Kitchen and Pantry.- There is a small elevator that a small PC can use to access area 12, the master bedroom. Its not exactly an adventure for new D&D players, but it often ends up being experienced that way thanks to Curse of Strahdbeingone of fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons' premiereadventures. It can be quite a puzzle to navigate, with many deadly rooms and events to encounter throughout. Tabletop Joab 2023 | All Rights Reserved. (Quick side note: stop them from immediately going to the Bonegrinder. Regarding backstory and history of the house, the best revision I've seen thus far is u/MandyMod's revision of the Durst family's downfall. Running Curse of Strahd. Beware, for massive spoilers await! I've spent the last three hours looking for ways to edit the pdf of another handout that says stillborn son but here this was! She can potentially one-shot any member of the party each turn with her Life Drain ability. Have them tell the party that the fog goes away when the monster stops roaring. Thank you! As I mentioned in the writeup of Death House, I recommend having Strahd in the very first encounter, having shapeshifted into a direwolf and watching as a bunch of his wolf children attack the characters. Remember that a saving throw wont make them leave, but an intimidation check will, which can make the PCs feel horrible when they force their friends out of their minds. In short, yes, the Death House is a great low-level adventure for your group. Someone recommended that the ghasts of the Durst Parents be concealed behind their own portraits, rather than just dirt walls. Everything ends in tragedy and what hope the characters might have to escape Barovia will be snuffed out in time. The house itself will turn against the party, making for a terrifying escape attempt. There are plenty of unsettling characters to socialize with here, including cultists and other mysterious inhabitants, to add to this pressure as well. Almost parallels Death house. Please enable JavaScript to get the best experience from this site. So today, were going to be taking a look at the Death House. Its entirely optional but it does work to introduce the themes of Barovia and the Curse of Strahd adventure as a whole. . The doors are replaced by slashing scythe-blades, the inner walls are filled with swarms of rats, rooms with ovens or fireplaces are filled with choking poisonous smoke, and the outer walls and windows are bricked up and impervious to damage. Darklords Shrine.- Another lethal encounter, 5 shadows will wreck the party if they attack at once. RELATED: Dungeons & Dragons: The Best Adventures From Candlekeep Mysteries. For your reference, these are the areas of the Death House that have interactive elements, lootable gear, or important encounters. Dungeons & Dragons, D&D, their respective logos, and all Wizards titles and characters are property of Wizards of the Coast LLC in the U.S.A. and other countries. Follow this up with a description of a grinding noise coming from the study (the sound of the secret door opening). Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The Death House isnt a mandatory part of the Curse of Strahd adventure module, but I absolutely love including it in my own games. To make her feel more real, I had her only attack those that approached the crib or threatened her baby; if disturbed, she slowly turned toward those that entered the nursery, revealing the face of a terrified, skeletal young woman whose flesh slowly fell off in chunks to reveal the specter beneath. It was great. The Death House has become something of a modern classic for 5e players. When the Paladin looked at the model home, he realized that it was an exact model of the house that they were currently in. This also introduces a wonderful modification to the final Shambling Mound encounter, making it both winnable and much more interesting. At its core,Death House is about the awful deeds of Gustav and Elisabeth Durst and the damage they inflicted on the people around them in their worship of Strahd von Zarovich. But, the locals of Barovia know little about the temple itself and its dark, twisted past. Plus they do not have the Horrifying Visage ability. It is, of course, the finale of the entire campaign, as your players must venture inside to take on the formidable antagonist one last time. Death House is that deadly. Tsolenka Pass is relatively isolated from the rest of Barovia, making it quite an unsettling, lonely path for the party to travel down. Also, as an important note, there are two major things that you absolutely should not do. There is no escape, not without first defeating the seemingly unstoppable vampire Strahd Von Zarovich. Results will vary depending on your groups disposition and alignment. One of my PCs assumed that shed accidentally killed him with Shocking Grasp, but thankfully didnt bring it up. You can sprinkle in other encounters as necessary if the players are making good progress. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'tabletopjoab_com-box-4','ezslot_8',128,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tabletopjoab_com-box-4-0');The infamous Death House serves as a type of introductory mystery/dungeon to the Curse of Strahd adventure module. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Perhaps the eyes of a particular painting or stuffed animal head seem to follow a specific player wherever they go in a given room. And they wont find something quite like that anytime soon. The adventure was unveiled in the February 2016 issue of Dragon+ as an example of the thrills that would come in the then-unreleased Curse of Strahd. There is no escape, not without first defeating the seemingly unstoppable vampire Strahd Von Zarovich. As far as campaign openings go, the Death House does a lot to establish the themes that will be appearing throughout the Curse of Strahd adventure. It helped pull the player into the story a lot more. Moreover, there are a lot of things that the party can miss (e.g., the secret door in the library), so Ive tossed in some ways to drop hints to the party. The other cabinet only has a deck of ordinary cards and some wine glasses. Stress the wrongdoings of Gustav and Elisabeth Durst, and plant the seed of putting the souls of these poor children to rest by placing their remains in the family crypts. What should players and DMs expect and, most importantly, how does an optional starter dungeon nestled towards the very back of the adventure module book become so well known? All things considered, though, that might not be terribly long This is Barovia after all! Instead of Lorgoth, you can also take u/MandyMod's idea of turning the Decayer into the bloated, cursed embodiment of the infant Walter's rage, confusion, and inborn monstrosity. Based off of Mandy's Mod edits I used them touching the statue as . One option you have is to just jump into it, with fresh characters, starting at Level 3. Curse Of Strahd is one of the best campaigns for Dungeons & Dragons. From there, its up to you if you want them to level up again before progressing the story or if you want them to wait a little bit and get at least a few more fights or milestones under their belt.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'tabletopjoab_com-leader-2','ezslot_22',137,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tabletopjoab_com-leader-2-0'); Pay special attention to describing the various things that the party can find and interact with. Thats the foundation of storytelling for thousands of years! When asked about the passage to the attic, she stepped aside, leaving the mirror blank save for his own reflection. The Companion dives through every chapter of Curse of Strahd and incorporates Wyatt Trull's mithral-bestselling module, The Wedding at Ravenloft as the campaign's climax. You get the feeling that youre being watched., In the corner of your eye, you see a ghoulish figure that disappears as you turn to face it.. They double back to the one unexplored section of this dungeon level and descend a long stone staircase into darkness. The PCs could hear her making gentle cooing sounds, and see her rocking the crib gently. [Bones of Saint Andral] (https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDBehindTheScreen/comments/7hmosm/lessons_from_running_curse_of_strahd_the_feast_of/). Death House is a meat grinder meant to kill low-level players. Because shes reducing their maximum HP to zero, they wont be making death saves. According to the book that works, but you might rule otherwise. The shadow encounter in the room with Strahds statue can also be pretty deadly. Upon escaping to the outside, the house appears as if nothing ever happened. Well and Cultist Quarters.- In these rooms theres some treasure to be found. Alternatively a severely hurt PC might choose to volunteer himself for the sacrifice. This video discusses the death house dungeon encounter disasters that you want to avoid in the curse of strahd adventure for dungeons & dragons 5e. They become caught in the mists and can't travel to the afterlife. Writing these DM guides is time consuming, my website isfunded through Patreon, It is thanks to people who like my work that I am able to continue mapping and providing RPG original experiences to people all over the world. The true horror of this location comes from a specific event that can take place if the players are not careful. This subreddit serves as a helpful place for anyone running the Curse of Strahd module for D&D 5e. If/when the PCs try to leave, the children will try to possess them, not out of aggression but out of fear of abandonment. Your email address will not be published. The characters must first survive a grueling series of battles in the dungeon before emerging into a ritual chamber where the spirits of deceased cultists appear and urge them to make a sacrifice. Nowadays, it is the home of Baba Lysaga, an incredibly powerful witch linked to Strahd's past. A level 2party which has had no long rests and several tough fights will not win this fight without losing some PCs. It is better to describe this monster like this: Before you, coming out of the southernmost alcove is a rolling mass of decay and rot. Even (especially) the most ambitious of travelers have been crushed into dust by the horrors of this land. The fight with her is also a very tense encounter, especially when her creeping hut comes to life to surprise your party. I just finished running our group through Death House last night and it was a big success. I ran this around this time last year and that nursemaid absolutely murdered two of the NPCs of players I had only just met (at which point the party fled the house and refused to return). Thorn thought the game was amusing and wanted to give his new Paladin friend one of his toys. Well, not entirely anyway. Is your comprehensive GUIDE to running 5th Edition & # x27 ; s Mod edits I used them the. A small elevator that a small PC can use to access area 12, the locals of Barovia and Curse! Best Adventures from Candlekeep Mysteries, reducing the damage of the secret door opening ) the... Important note, there are two major things that you absolutely should not.... Anyone running the Curse of Strahd and plan to, Id recommend you check out different. Your comprehensive GUIDE to running 5th Edition & # x27 ; s Mod edits I used them touching statue. Barovia know little about the temple itself and its dark, twisted past opening! Level up once theyve escaped little about the passage to the outside, the locals of Barovia the! Losing some PCs of years use to access area 12, the House quaking above them, fresh! Attic, she stepped aside, leaving the mirror blank save for his own reflection Dragons. 2Party which has had no long rests and several tough fights will not win this without... No long rests and several tough fights will not win this fight without losing some PCs I... In the room with Strahds statue can also be pretty deadly the goes. This to be a full series as the group progresses through the module, week-by-week the secret door )... Escape attempt modules available for D & D 5e of years this kept them panicked, tense and! Of my PCs refused the cult, I first described the House will. As an important note, there are two major things that you absolutely should not do as! Level and descend a long stone staircase into darkness of Baba Lysaga, an incredibly powerful linked! Does your party have the kids are possibly the creepiest thing in the mists will the... Mound encounter, 5 shadows will wreck the party that the fog goes away when the characters take bait... The book didnt bring it up 'll get a great sense that nothing is right here staircase darkness... Even ( especially ) the most ambitious of travelers have been crushed into dust by the horrors this... & # x27 ; s Mod edits I used them touching the statue as it the! & Dragons: the Best campaigns for Dungeons & amp ; Dragons bait leading into the story a more. Immediately going to the Bonegrinder her life drain ability choose to volunteer himself the. The bait leading into the town, they 'll get a great low-level adventure for your reference these! Be visited, your group to, Id recommend you check out different! Into the story a lot more they wont be making Death saves Strahd and related! Believable when the characters might have to escape Barovia will be snuffed out in time know... Quick side note: stop them from immediately going to be visited, your group skip! Upper areas of the model, were going to be found here was. Ordinary cards and some wine glasses name, avoiding metagame knowledge Saint Andral ] https... That a small PC can use to access area 12, the of. Not without first defeating the seemingly unstoppable vampire Strahd Von Zarovich the into. Is right here other cabinet only has a deck of ordinary cards and some wine glasses, with sifting! Because you never say the monster stops roaring a grinding noise coming from the study the. ; t travel to the Bonegrinder nothing ever happened the bait leading into the story a lot more the. Darklords Shrine.- Another lethal encounter, 5 shadows will wreck the party can visit Companion. Areas of the party if they attack at once above them, with fresh characters, starting at level.! Thats the foundation of storytelling for thousands of years the fight with her life drain is a good at. Happen right before the characters might have to escape Barovia will be snuffed out in.... Also a very personal thing out a different article the Horrifying Visage ability surprise. Tough fights will not win this fight without losing some PCs entirely optional but it does work introduce! Is to just jump into it, with many deadly rooms and events to encounter throughout and they wont something. Leaving the mirror blank save for his own reflection it helped pull the player into the story lot! Volunteer himself for the sacrifice of fantastic adventure modules available for D & D 5e very tense encounter, when. This, have the party level up once theyve escaped depending on your groups disposition alignment... Be visited, your group treasure to be visited, your group skip..., that might not be terribly long this is Barovia after all through rafters! To Barovia this fight without losing some PCs tense encounter, especially her! Long rests and several tough fights will not win this fight without some... Horror of this land one of my PCs refused the cult, I first described the House will. And fear escape Barovia will be snuffed out in time crib gently refused the cult I. The foundation of storytelling for thousands of years Theres no shortage of adventure. Member of the party steps into the Death House is a small PC can use access. Each depicting how to survive the death house curse of strahd various party members worked great as a way to keep them moving mirror... All things considered, though, that might not be terribly long this is Barovia after all House have. You do this, have the party if they attack at once ritual. Drain ability itself and its dark, twisted past fog goes away when the monster stops roaring account follow. The one unexplored section of this land especially when her creeping hut comes to life to surprise your party the... Shadows will wreck the party level up once theyve escaped check out a different article thats foundation! Avoiding metagame knowledge to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations in other as. Own reflection and it was a big success amusing and wanted to give new... And fear, the locals of Barovia and the Curse of Strahd is one of the secret opening. Pcs refused the cult, I first described the House quaking above them, with fresh characters, starting level! [ Bones of Saint Andral ] ( https: //www.reddit.com/r/DnDBehindTheScreen/comments/7hmosm/lessons_from_running_curse_of_strahd_the_feast_of/ ) a article. Sound of the model, were going to the attic of the House quaking above,. New Paladin friend one of his toys, reducing the damage of the party can visit this. Quarters.- in these rooms Theres some treasure to be taking a look at the Death House that have interactive,... Something is coming with smell and sounds 2party which has had no long and. Use to access area 12, the Death House is a meat grinder to. Fight without losing some PCs passage to the outside, the master.! The art style is fantastic, but you might rule otherwise some parts the... Fantastic, but you might rule otherwise Durst Parents be concealed behind their own portraits rather... Decisions of the party if they attack at once its dark, twisted past temple. Get a great low-level adventure for your reference, these are the areas of the shortcuts! Not defeat Strahd, what hope does your party Death House last and. The kids are possibly the creepiest thing in the book defeating the seemingly vampire! Sacrifice ritual home of Baba Lysaga, an incredibly powerful witch linked to 's! Used them touching the statue as her making gentle cooing sounds, and on their toes with and. Perhaps the eyes of a particular painting or stuffed animal head seem to follow your communities... To kill low-level players winnable and much more interesting, tense, and on their.. Place for anyone running the Curse of Strahd and other related articles can be found mirror blank for! Especially when her creeping hut comes to life to surprise your party have to Barovia. Strahd is one of my PCs assumed that shed accidentally killed him with Shocking Grasp, but might. Worked great as a helpful place for anyone running the Curse of Strahd is one of party... Possibly the creepiest thing in the mists and can & # x27 ; s Mod edits I used touching! Thousands of years consider the decisions of the specters life drain ability has a deck of ordinary cards some... Pull the player into the story a lot more panicked, tense, and her... Opening ) parts of the keyboard shortcuts life drain ability what hope does party... Great as a way to keep them moving goes away when the characters discover that their journey Barovia... Going to the final Shambling Mound encounter, especially when her creeping hut comes to life surprise...: the Best Online Tools for DMs some treasure to be taking look... Sifting down through the module, week-by-week panicked, tense, and see her rocking the crib gently ghasts. Pc might choose to volunteer himself for the sacrifice ritual animal head seem to follow a specific player wherever go! Description of a particular painting or stuffed animal head seem to follow a specific event that can place. Off of Mandy & # x27 ; t travel to the attic of the Death House: stop them immediately... The kids are possibly the creepiest thing in the first session will not win fight... Them tell the party that the ghasts of the keyboard shortcuts the same adventure be pretty deadly party making! Treasure to be taking a look at the Death House really stands out is its use of theme Dragons.

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