TheReziniks

Introduction
ThisadventureispartysinitialencountersinBaroviaintheupcomingcampaign,Returnofthe
DarkMistress.TheadventureisdesignedtotakethePCsfrom1stlevelto4thlevel,andserves
asanintroductionintothecruelnatureofBarovia.Apreludetohowthepartyendedupin
Baroviawillbeprovidedinthefullcampaign,buttherearemanywaysonemightunwittingly
findthemselvesinthedemiplaneofDread.Mostcommonisthelandsenchantedmists
swallowingtravellers.

*Notethatthisisadraft.Thefinalversionwillhaveadifferentaestheticandalterationsmaybe
madetothewriting.

Background
Duringitsheyday,theRezinikfamilywasfairlywell-offduetoErstanslucrative
medicinebusiness.Thefamilymadeanddistributedthemedicinelocally(forinformationon
individualmembers,seetheappendix).Theywereoftencharitabletothoseinneed,sooneday,
whenahomeless,starvingwomancametothem,pleadingforhelp,theydidnotrefuseher.The
Reziniksallowedhertostayintheshackoutsidethehouseforawhileaftersherecovered.She
secretlygrewclosetoErstan,seducinghim,despitethefactthathewasalreadymarriedtoa
womannamedLoredana.
ThehomelesswomanisactuallyawitchfromatribewhichworshipsStrahdVon
Zarovich,whowasactuallydestroyedmanyyearsagotobereplacedbyPatrinaVelikovna,a
powerfulduskelfmagewhobecameahighervampire.Thehomelesswomansrealnameis
QuihanaSerpentmother,butsheisknowntothefamilyasMelina.Shewasdrawntothe
Rezinikestatebecauseshecouldsensethepowerwithin;thetombofaTergwarlord,noa
wraith-likeMalevolentSpirit,residedbeneaththehouse.Theonlyobstaclethatremainedwas
Loredana,whomMelinakilled,makingitlooklikeanaccident.Shesoonbecamemarriedto
Erstanandbegantoindoctrinatehimandtheothersofthefamilytoherdarkways,turning
themintodevoteesofhercult.
Meanwhile,thefamilybusinessbegantofailduetoneglectandincreasingcompetition.
Thefamilysworshipbecameincreasinglynefarious.MelinasetupaneffigyofStrahdina
cavernbeneaththehousescellar.TheMalevolentSpiritwouldentertheeffigywhenevera
sacrificewouldbemadetoit.Eventually,thefamilysmainsourceofincomewasthe
belongingslootedfromtheindividualsthekidnappedandsacrificed.

AdventureSynopsis
TheRezinikshavelaidatrapforwaywardtravellerswhich,inthiscase,provestobethePCs
(PlayerCharacters).TheRezinikshaveaverywell-thoughtoutandpracticedplantolureinthe
PCs,alongwithcontingenciesifsomethinggoesawry.First,Ivana,polymorphedintotheform
ofherdeceasedsister-in-law,getstheattentionofthePCs,whoaresoonaskedforhelpfrom
Erstanandbringingherbackhome.Shouldtheyacceptanddefeattheareasnaturaldangers,
theRezinikswilltaketheminfordinnerandanightsrespite.Thewholeactisforshow;after
theRezinikshavegainedthetrustofthePCs,theyinduceadeepsleepandattempttosacrifice
themtotheMalevolentSpiritbeneaththehouse.
Shouldtheadventurersmanagetoescape,theymustfighttheirway,inthedark,though
theRezinikhousetoretrievetheirgear,withaRezinikfamilymemberlurkingaroundevery
cornerinaslasher-likeencounter.OncetheadventurersdefeattheReziniks,theyarecalledto
thetomboftheMalevolentSpirit.ShouldthePCswintheday,PatrinaVelikovnaappearswith
arewardofsortsfortheadventurers.
TheadventureitselfisgivenafairamountofstructureduetotheplansoftheReziniks,
butthatdoesnotmeanthatthePCsareforcedtofollowthatpath.IfthePCsarecleverenough
todiscoverthecluesanddecipherthesituation,allowthemtodoso,thattheymayconfront
theReziniksontheirownterms.
TheadventureisdesignedsothatthePCsgainlevelsatcertainintervals.Bythetime
thePCsentertheRezinikestate,theyshouldbe2ndlevel,andbythetimetheyenterthetomb,
theyshouldbe3rdlevel.
The Crimson Road (South)
WhenthePCsbegintotraveluptheCrimsonRoadforthefirsttime,readthefollowingflavor
text.

Hulking,greyishtreesoverwhelmallaroundbutthemistyroadthatstretchesaheadofyouinto
unknownsights,hiddenbythenightsdarknessandtheever-presentmists.Adeathlysilence
permeatesthearea,brokenonlybythesoundofyourbreathingandmovement.

AfterthePCstravelforalittlewhilelonger,read:

Aweather-wornsignpostcomesintoviewalongastraightstretchofthelonelyroad.Thereisonly
onearmonit.Therustedmetalplatereads,Teufeldorf,andpointsinthedirectionyoyouhave
beentravelling.

HavethePCsmakeaperceptioncheckonceortwicewhiletravelingthisstretchofroad.There
isnospecificdangerthatthesechecksarefor.Theyaretokeeptheplayersonedge.Ifthe
playersrollhigh,youcandescribeafaintrustlingorotherminorandunspecific(though
ultimatelyinnocuous)event.

R1. Pool
Thesilenceispiercedbyaghostlytonethat
resonatesthroughoutthedeathlywoods.

LetthePCsmovecloserbeforereadingthe
nextlineoftext:

Asyoudrawnearertoitssource,youidentify
thesoundasawomansvoice,singingsoftly

Thewordsofthesongtellofayoung
womanawaitingherbelovedtoreturnfrom
afarawayplacesothattheycanfinallybe
joinedinmarriage.

Sittingatopafallentree,averyyoung,fair-skinnedwomaninapaledresslooksoutoverathestill
surfaceofapool.Mistrisesabovethewaterssurface,butasliverofmoonlightnottotallysmothered
bythefog,reflectsacrossitssurface.Thewomanglancesbrieflyinyourdirection,butthen
continuestostareabsent-mindedlyacrossthepool.Herdirtied,barefeethangoverthewatersedge,
kickingaboutwithacarefreeswing,asshecontinuestosinghertune.

Theyoungwoman(nearlyagirl;herageof17)bearsthevisageofAlara.However,thewoman
isactuallyIvana,whoisundertheeffectofapolymorphspell.IvanawillpretendtobeAlara,
displayingtheabsent-mindednessofagirlwhowouldwanderintothemonster-infestedwoods
ofBaroviainthemiddleofthenighttowaitforsomeonewhoisprobablynevercomingback.
PolymorphedIvanawillacknowledgethePCs,butwontactveryconcernedwiththem.
IfthePCsask,shesayssheiswaitingforherlove,Lazlo,toreturn.Sherefusesanyescortthe
PCsmightoffer.IfthePCsattempttorestrainher,sherunstoareaR2.Iftheyattempttoharm
her,sheattemptstorunhometoareaR5.

Development: The Rezinik Trap, Phase 1

IfthePCscontinuedowntheroadtowardTeufeldorf,readthefollowingtext:

Abeadoflightslowlybecomesvisiblethroughthemists.Itgrowslargerandbrighteruntilyoucan
makeoutthesilhouetteofamanholdingalanternabout60feetaway.Youhearavoicecallingout
fromhisdirection,Alara?AreyouthereAlara?

ThemanisErstanRezinik(seeappendix).HeispretendingtosearchforAlara.

Asthemancomesintoview,younoticehehasalightcrossbowslungoveroneshoulder.Hedonsa
darkgreydusterandappearstobeinhismidfifties.Greystubblematchesthegreyhairstickingout
frombeneathhistophat.

IfIvanaisnotwiththeparty,ErstanwillaskifthePCshaveseenhisdaughter.Heinforms
themtheyshehasfoolishlydecidedtowaitforLazlotocomehomefromhisjourneyoutsideof
Barovia,butsayshedoubtsLazloevermadeit.Inactuality,Lazlowassacrificedshortlybefore
Alarasdeath.ErstannotesthatAlaraislikelytodieifshestaysouthereinthewoodsinthe
middleofthenight,aswolvesandotherterrorslurkaboutinthisarea.
ErstanwillrequestthePCshelp.Heoffersthemarewardofgold,butstatesthatthe
familyfortuneisnotwhatitusedtobe,ashardtimeshavefallenuponthepeopleofBarovia.
HedoesntelaborateonthisfurtheruntilhedecidesAlaraissafe.IfthePCsrefusetohelp,
Erstanwillstareatthemwithcontemptandmoveon.Inthissituation,justasthePCsand
Erstanareheadingtheirseparateways,awomanscrycanbeheardinthedistance,coming
fromareaR2.
IfthePCsstillrefuse,Erstangoesrushingoffhimself.BeforethePCsreachTeufeldorf
proper,havetheplayersmakeaDC14Wisdom(perception)check.PCswhopassnoticeErstan
runningalongasidetrailtoareaR5.HeiscarryingIvana,whoisstillpolymorphed.PCswho
scorea17orhigherontheirperceptionchecknoticetwoarrowsprotrudingfromIvanas
shoulderandabdomen

R2. Clearing
TheReziniksexplanationofwhyAlaraneedstocomebackisalittletooaccurate.
ConfrontedbywolvesandamannamedKabelDiminiski,Ivanafindsherselfinrealdanger
here.Kabelisalocalman,cursedwithhideousdeformities--hunchedshoulders,anupturned
nose,beady,blackeyes,andlotsofbodyhair.Theclothinghewearsisintatters,only
exaggeratinghisbestialcountenance.ThecitizensofTeufeldorfwouldnotliketohavehim
withinthetown,buttheyappreciatehimlivingjustoutsidebecauseofhiseffortsatkeeping
naturalthreatsatbay.KabelsalignmentisChaoticGoodandhehasthestatisticsofascout
with22hitpointsanddarvisionwitharangeof30feet.KabelhassuspectedtheReziniksof
kidnappingpeopleforawhilenow,andseesthecurrentssituationasanopportunitytostrike
againstthem.Thewolvesareeffectivelyathiscommand.
IfthePCscometoAlarasaid,readthefollowingtextastheyapproachtheclearing:

Youagainherethesoundofawomanscries,nowaccompaniedbythehungrybarksofwolves.

WhentheplayerscomeintoviewofAlara,read:

Alara,havingfallenoffherfeet,hasherbacktoajuttingboulderassixsnarlingwolvesencircleher,
bloodlustintheirbeasialeyes.

Thefivewolveswillformuptofacethenewthreat(thePCs,andpossibleErstan).IfErstanis
involvedinthecombat,hewilldrophislanternandwieldhislightcrossbow.Whenthecombat
begins,rollforKabelsinitiativeaswell.Onthesecondroundofcombat,havehimmakea
Dexterity(stealth)checkagainstthePCspassiveperception.Kabellurksjustbeyondtheedge
oftheclearingfurthestoftheplayers.Onthethirdroundofcombat,ifhehasnotalreadybeen
spotted,heopensfirefromhalfcovergrantedbythetrees,forasurpriseattack.IfKabelsenses
thatheisabouttolosethefight,hewillfleetohislodge(areaR3).Erstanwilldowhathecan
toseethatKabeldiesbeforehereachesthelodge.
Whenthefightisdone,IvanaasksthePCstotakeherhome(beforetheycaninvestigate
wherethewolvesandKabelcamefrom).Sheknowstheway.

R3. Kabels Cabin

Anarrowfoottrailleadsasmallcabinmadeoutofroughdeadwood.Itleansasymmetricallyagainst
acoupleofimposingtrees,asifithasntthefortitudetostandonitsown.Sickly-lookingplantsgrow
allroundthesidesofit,andtheroofappearstobehalfmadeofivy,thoughwhichsticksasmall,
stonechimney.

Asyouenterthecabin,yourealizetheexteriorviewmakestheinteriorlookdeceptivelylarge.Just
leftofthedoor,3huntedjackrabbitshangfromtheceiling.Assortmentsoffursliepiledinthe
cornerandhungonthewalls.Besidetheheartharevariousherbsandcookingsupplies.Inanother
corneroftheroomisadirty,unmadefurcott.Thewholeplacebearstherawaromasofunwashed
animals,mildew,plants,andsoil.

PCswhosearchthecabinwillfindwhatonemightexpectinarangerscabin.Theseinclude20
extraarrowsforhislongbow,askinningknife,atanningrack,somebasicherbs,amortarand
pestle,4leatherpouches,1leatherbackpack,acookingpot,andasmallcontainerfilledwith
uncookedrabbitmeat.Ontheworktablecanbefoundasmallpieceoftorn,greenfabricwitha
dropofbloodstainedonit.ThefabricispartofNamiraRadovasshirt(seeareaR9x).
IfthePCsfindKabalherebeforeheattacksIvana,hegreetsthemwithadrawnlongbow,
butwillshowthemsomerudimentaryhospitalityiftheyconvincehimtheyarentthreats.Heis
reluctanttotalkaboutthefabricorhishuntoftheReziniksandsearchforNamira.
IfKabelfledthefightwithIvana,hecanalsobefoundhere.Ifheisnttoobadly
wounded,helltrytoputupanothergoodfight.Otherwise,hellbescramblingtopatchuphis
woundsandmaybegetinalastblowortwo.Kabelisnotatalkativeperson.Hedoesntsay
anythingtohostileplayersunlessforcedto,buthewillattempttomakepeacewiththePCsif
herealizestheyrenotinontheReziniksplans.

R4. Gate and Perimeter

A10-foottallfenceofcold,wroughtironcreatesacourtyardaroundalonely,two-storyhouse.
Withinthecourtyardthereisalsoanotherbuilding-whatlookstobeasmall,oldbarn,itswooden
roofandwallscoveredinholesfromyearsofdeterioration.Itshardtotellfromthisdistance,but
whatalsomightbeagardenliesbesidethehouse.

Extendingtotheedgeofthefenceto5feettowardtheinsideofthecourtyard,theinteriorof
thecourtyardislinedwithwithaspikedpittrap.Afalsefloorcoversthepit.Acharacterwho
stepsonthefalsefloormustmakeaDC15Dexteritysavingthrow,taking1d6bludgeoning
damageand2d8piercingdamage,orhalfasmuchonsuccess.
IfthePCsapproachthehousefromthegate,read:

Youmakeyourwaydowntheloosegravelpathwaythatextendsthroughthesurroundingareaof
whatoncecouldhavebeenalawn,nownomorethandirtanddeadgrass.

Thegateistrappedwithaminorversionofaglyphofwardingjustabovethelatch.The
inscriptionisverysmallandrequiresaDC14Wisdom(Perception)checktospot.Abjuration
isntMelinasforte,however.Insteadofdealing5d8damageonafailedsave,itdealsonly3d6
lightningdamage.Ifthecharacterthattriggersthespelldidnotspottheward,itispossibleto
mistakeitforanon-magicalelectricshock.Erstanopensthegatecarefullywithhiskey,which
temporarilydeactivatestheward.
 However,ifErstantookwoundedIvanabacktothehouseafterthePCsrefusedtohelp,
thegateisleftajar.Thewardwonttriggerifthegateistouched.
IfthePCsareescortingIvanabackfromareaR2withoutErstan,undernormal
circumstances,Erstanwillbewaitingforthematthegate.

Development
IfallthePCsenterthecourtyard
andlatertrytoleavebefore
defeatingthevengefulspirit,read

Asuddencurrentofairhissesby
you,sendingshiversdownyour
spine.

Astheyapproachthefenceor
gate,read:

Againyoubothhearandfeelthe
whispersofthewind.

HavethePCsallmakeWisdom
(Perception)savingthrows.Even
iftheyallscorelow,informthem
thattheybelievethesoundmight
actuallybecomingfromthe
shack(areaR7).Thewindisthe
MalevolentSpiritcallingtothem.
Itishungry.
IfthePCsattemptto
traversethegateorfence,
constrictingivy(seeappendix)
sproutsoutofnowherewhere
evertheytrytograbontothe
fence.

R5. Garden and Well
Amidstthesomberbackdropofthe
courtyardaresituatedrowsof
bloomingflowersoverrichsoil.A
solemnwellstandsnearby.

ThisiswhereMelinagrowstheplantstoconcoctherpoisons,andalsowheretheReziniksbury
thecorpsesoftheirvictims.Threepoisonoussnakeslurkinthevegetation.Theycanbe
spottedwithaDC13Wisdom(Perception)check.AsuccessfulDC11Intelligence(Nature)
checkwillinformthePCsthatsomeoftheflowersarelilies,andothersarejasmine.IfthePCor
PCsscoredhigherthana15,thatsomearealsonightshade.Ascoreof17orhigherwillreveal
theyareallpoisonous.
IfthePCssiftthroughthedirtinanyway,theyuncoverhumanbones.TheRezinikscut
theremainsofrejectedsacrificesintosectionsandburiedthemhere,butnotverydeeply.After
acursoryinspectionofthebones,orifthePCsstarttoturnaway,read:

Withyoureyeonthebones,younoticethat,everysosubtly,someofthemarebeginningtomove
Andabruptly,adecomposinghandburstsfromthedarkenedearth,clawingitswaytowardsyouas
moreandmoredecayedappendagesbegintoemergefromtheground.

Intotal,thereare10crawlingclaws.TheyattackthePCsimmediately.

R6. Graveyard
IfthePCsapproachfromthegate,theyrealizewhattheyinitiallythoughttobepartofthe
gardenisagraveyard,whichliesjustbeyondthegarden(areaR5).

Sixsolemntombstonesarearrayedintwolines,theirpresencesspeakingtomultiplefeelings;
finality,peace...andtheimpending.Oneofthegraveshasbeendugout...

Oneofthefollowingnamesarewrittenonfourofthegraves:Diona(greatgrandmother),Petru
(Erstansgrandfather),Loredana(ex-wife),andWulfen(dog).Twoofthetombstonesareblank,
includingtheonebelongingtothedug-upgrave.However,thefirstPCwhoexaminesthe
dug-upgravewillnoticehisorhernameonthetombstone.Whentheypeerintothegrave
itself,theyseeanopencoffinwiththeirowncorpse,motionlesswithpallidskin,lyinginside.
NoneoftheotherPCscanseethesame.OncethePClooksaway,thecorpseisgone,andthe
tombstoneisblank.

R7. Shack
Someoneapproachingthehousefromthefrontgatewillnotseetheshackbecauseitis
obscuredbythehillandthehouseitself.PCswhoapproachtheshackcanfeelanintangible,
eeriesensationcomingfromitsdirection,iftheypassaDC16Wisdom(Perception)check.

Thedoortothis10footby10footwoodenshackisheldshutwithanironpadlock,andthethick
windowsshuttersclosed.

ThepadlockcanbepickedwithaDC14Dexterity(ThievesTools)check.ErstanandMelina
alsobothhaveakey.

Pungentsmellsfillyournostrilsasyouentershack,theinteriorofwhichisstockedwithbottles,jars,
vials,bowls,sifters,andwhatappeartobeingredientsfromthegardenandelsewhere.Asenseof
deathlycalmpermeatestheplace.

Therearethe6jars(2full),4glassvials(allempty),8glassbottles(3full),and3bowls(1full).
Allofthesefullcontainersholdincompleteconcoctionsthatdonothingmorethantastebad.
Alsointheroomareapairofclippers,asmallcuttingknife,amortarandpestle,anoillantern,
andmeasuringspoons.ADC16Intelligence(medicineornature)checkwillrevealthe
componentsarebeingusedtomakepoisonandsedatives.Allofthepreviouslymentioned
itemsarelaidoutintheopenandcanbespottedoutrightwithoutanychecks.IfthePCsdecide
toinvestigatetheshackfurther,aDC15Intelligence(Investigation)checkwillrevealloose
floorboardsontheleftsideoftheroom.
Underthefloorboardsisa5footby5footheavy,rustedtrapdoorwithalockbuiltinto
it.Thetrapdoorismagicallysealed.OnlykillingMelinaorusingherkeycanundothemagic.If
thePCsdonotusethekey,oncethemagicisundone,theycanpickthelockwithaDC14
Dexterity(ThievesTools)check.
IfthePCsdontfirstentertheshackuntilafterMelinaandErstanarealreadydead,they
canhearthefloorboardssqueakingbeneaththeirfeetastheyenter.IftheReziniksarestill
tryingtomaintaintheircover,andthePCsquestionthemabouttheshack,noneofthemwill
knowwhatisinthereexceptErstanandMelina,whowilltellthemthatMelinausesitto
experimentwithnewpotentialadditivestotheirmedicine(alie).

B8. Stables
Insidethisdilapidatedbuilding,anoldhorsewearilyrestsonabedofstrawinoneofthestalls.
Besidethestallsisaone-personcarriage,withlettersonthesidedoorreadingRezinikRejuvenating
Elixirs.Theoutsideofthecarriageiscoatedwithdustandthepainthasfaded,andinsomeplaces
chippedtorevealslowly-deterioratingwood.

Thecarriagehasnotbeenusedinmonths,andthedrafthorsehasahardtimepullingit.Other
thanafewitemslikehorseshoesandawatertrough,thereisntmuchelseofnotehere.

R9. House
Asthehousedrawsnearer,younoticethewearandtearthathascomeuponthisoncefinedwelling.
Itspainthaschippedawayandlostwhatevervibranceithad,itswindowsfoggedwithdustonthe
outside,anditsporticocoversaggingeversoslightlyaboveitsweathered,oakdoor.

IfthePCsrefusedtohelpErstanretrieveAlara,TheRezinikswillnotshowthePCsthesame
hospitality.RafalwillanswerthedoorandwilltellthemtheyaretoobusytendingtoAlaras
wounds,andthustheywantthePCstogoaway.Intruth,theReziniksunderstandthatIvana
mightrevertbacktohernormalformsoon,anddontwantthePCstoknowwhattheyreupto.
ThePCswillhavetoeitherconvincetheRezinikstoletthemin(theyarenoteasilypersuaded),
orsneak/breakintothehouseinordertogainentry.IfIvanaiswoundedandtheRezinikslet
thePCsinside,theyhideherawayinherroom.TheReziniksavoidtalkingabouttherealIvana.

Development: The Rezinik Trap, Phase 2

IfthePCsarrivewithErstanandAlara,Melina(seeappendix)willanswerthedoorand
immediatelyhugAlara,feigningrelief.Shehasbeencookingdinner,inanycase.TheReziniks
invitethePCsinwhileErstangoesandretrievestheirreward(apouchof15gp)fromthestudy
(areaR9d).TheRezinikstellthePCsthatthenightgrowslaterandmoredangerousandthat,
therefore,itwouldbeimproperforthemtonotinvitethemtostayfordinnerandthenight.
DMsshouldbewarenottosoundtooanxioustohavethePCsagreetostay,lesttheytipoffthe
players.
Ifthereisntenoughroomatthetable,oneoftheadultsannexanendtablefromthe
commonroom(areaR9b).AlloftheotherReziniksjoininforthedinner,exceptIvanaifshe
hadbeenwoundedearlier.Ishewasnotwounded,shejoinsinalittlelater,afterhaving
bathed.Tobuldoesnotwishtospeakduringdinner.Hekeepshisheadbowedandshakilyeats
hisfood.TherestparticipateintheconversationandgetacquaintedwiththePCs.Thechildren
areparticularlyfriendlyanddisarminglycute(DMsshouldalsobecarefulnottoplaythisup
toomuch,aswell).
Overthecourseofdinner,ErstanhelpsexplainthesituationinBaroviatothePCs.Heis
unfamiliarwithanyplaceslikeFaerun,butdoesknowthatBaroviaisapartfromtheseplaces
thatthePCsdescribe.HeexplainsthatBaroviaisanisolatedplace,onlyhavingcominginto
contactwithotherrealmsfromtheCore(namelyBoreal,Invidia,Kartakass,HazlanandNova
Vassa)inthepastcouplecenturies(seetheD&D3.0RavenloftDungeonMastersGuidefor
moreinformationontheseplaces).HeisalsowillingtoexplainthebasicsofBarovianlife(see
CurseofStrahdformoredetails).Mostimportantly,hespeaksofPatrinaVelikovna,theDark
LadyofBarovia,wholivesinCastleRavenloft.Erstanknowsthatsheisevil,partakesinfoul
magics,andiscrueltothosewhogetinherway,andreadilysayssuch.Hecautionsthat,while
thisistrue,mostpeopleinBarovialookuponhersomewhatfavorably;shehasactually
improvedthequalityoflifeformanyBarovians,havingusheredinanageofprogressand
growingexpansion.MostBaroviansbelievethatStrahdVonZarovichisresponsiblefortheevils
whichpersistintheland,eventhoughhewasslainlongago.OnlyMelinaknowsPatrinaisa
vampire,andtellsnobody.
OneoftheRezinikswillbringuphowtheyhavewantedtotakeactionagainstPatrina
forsometime,andmaybeabletocometosomesortofarrangementwiththeplayersin
assistingthem.Rafal,beingtheeageryoungmanheis,willgosofarastooffertotakethePCs
toTeufeldorfthenextmorningsotheycanbegintoamasstheirresources.
IfallgoeswellfortheReziniks,ErstanorMelinawillshowthePCstotheirrooms;they
haveaspareroomthatisfitfortwopeople(areaR9n),butthatcanonlyfittwopeople.There
areroomsintheattic(areaR9t)withatotalof8cots,however.Ifasked,theRezinikswillsay
theyhadthecotsforatimewhenpeopleusedtocometothemwiththesickandinjured.Ifthe
PCsdecidetostayinattic,Antonwillslipaheadofthemandwaitattherearoftheatticstorage
(areaR9u).Meanwhile,Rafalwillhidenexttothetrapdoorleadingtothecellar.Ivanawillstay
readytodiscretelyshadowanyPCswholeavetheirroomsforwhateverreason.
IfoneofthePCstrytosneakintothoseareasAntonandRafalareguarding,theywill
readytheiractionstosurprisethePCwithaninjectionoftheirsleepingelixirbeforetheycan
cryout.IftwoormoreofthePCsventureout,Ivanawilltrytoseethembacktotheirrooms,
attemptingtobeasunsuspiciousaspossible.
OnceallofthePCsareasleep,Melinawillcastasleepspellonthem(automatically
succeedingsincetheyarealreadyasleep)toensuretheyarenotawokenbyanynoisesorthe
gentlehandlingwhichoccursastheyarebeingpreparedforthesacrifice.

Development: Real Ghosts
OncethePCshavehadthesleepspellcastonthem,chooseoneofthePCsandexplainthat
theyhaveawakenedneedingtousethelatrine,orsomethingsimilarlymundane.Stillaffected
bythesleepspell,thePCishalf-asleepandtherefore,hasdisadvantageonattackrollsand
abilitychecks(DMsadvisednotmentionthisunlessitcomesup).Atsomepointalonghisor
herjourney,onceseparatedfromtheparty,read:

YoufindyourselffacingthepaleformofAlara,inherwhitedress.Herheadheldlow,ashenhair
coveringherface.Shelooksupatyouwithemptyeyes,revealingalongbruiserunningthelengthof
herneck.Shebeginstowalkaway,herformfadingtonothing.
ThevisionisthetrueghostofAlara.AssoonasthePCturnsaround,read:

Youturntoseeahanddescenduponyourneck,holdinganeedle.Youwatchasliquidrunsdownthe
grooveintheneedle,siftingthecontentsintoyourbloodstream.Yourkneesbecomeevenweakeras
youfalltothefloor.

Development: The Rezinik Trap, Phase 3

Youwakeup,sittingagainstawoodenstakeinanundergroundcavern,yourmouthgaggedandyour
handsboundbehindyouwithrope.Theareaislitwithdozensoftinycandles,theirredflames
flickeringangrily.Adeathlymisthangsaboutthefloor,whichisstrewnwithcountlesshuman
bones.Youandyourcomradesarepositionedinasemicirclearoundthecenterofthecavernfloor,
whichisraisedslightly.Awoodeneffigyofahumanoidinatatteredblackcapeisproppedthere.
Anotherpersoniswithyou,awomanwithblondehairandagreenshirtwithoneofthesleevestorn
off.

SeesectionR9xforinformationaboutthewoman.
ThePCscanhearwhoeverisdoingthesacrificing(Rafal,bydefault)mutteringto
himselfaboutheisalwaystheonewhohastodragtheprisonersdownhere,evenaftermoving
theirbelongingsintotheatticstorage(thePCshavebeenstrippedoftheirweapons,armor,and
foci).ThatlastbitofinformationisessentialforthePCstohear.Rafalrealizesonlyasecond
laterthatthePCshaveawoken.Hemakesnoteofthatandbeginshisritual.Haveeveryoneroll
initiative.

YoucanhearRafal,somewherebehindyou,begintochantHeisancient!HeistheLand!

Atthispoint,1roundhaspassed.Hechantsthesameforonemoreround,afterwhichpoint,
read:

Rafalshouts,Awaken,DarkLordStrahd!Awakenandacceptthesesacrificestofeedyourimmortal
soul!

1moreroundhaspassedatthispoint.

Thecandlessuddenlybegintodimandghostlymoanflowsthroughtheairandsettlesinyourbones.
Darktendrilsseepfromcracksinthefarwallandtheeffigybecomesshroudedindarkness,creating
amoretrue-to-formsilhouetteofaman.

1moreroundpasses.

Thedarknessreachesouttotouchthewoman,wholetsoutmuffledshrieksofsheerhorrorasher
eyesglossover,andherfleshwithersandgreys,untilthereisnobodylefttoscream.Rafalshrieks,
Heisancient!Heistheland!indepravedhysteria.

1moreroundpasses

Thedarktendrilsnextreachforyou[indicatethenextcharacterinline].Thenecroticenergiesbeing
toinvadeyouthroughyourmouth,nose,andeyes.

ThePCdiesonthenextround,andonemoreafterthat.RepeatthisprocessforeachPCuntil
theMalevolentSpiritisthwartedortheyareallkilled.
ThePCscanescapetheirbondswithaDC16Dexterity(sleightofhand)check.
Alternatively,theycantrytomuscleofftheirbondswithaDC16Strengthcheck.Another
approachtheycantakeislookforawaytocuttheirbonds.ADC13Intelligence(investigation)
checkwillrevealseveralsharpbonesnearby.APCcanusehisorheractiontoputitinwithhis
orherfeetandcutthebonds.
IftheMalevolentSpirit(seeappendix)hasalreadyreachedtheeffigy,Rafalistoo
enrapturedwiththesacrificetonoticeorcareaboutthePCsstrugglingtofreethemselves.As
soonasacharacterdoesso,theMalevolentSpiritsinitiativebeginsonthenextturnofcombat,
immediatelymakingasingleattackagainsttheindividualitdeemstobethegreatestthreat.
However,itwillretreatbackintoitsburialchamber(areaR10j)afterbeinghitonlyonce.Rafal,
however,fightstothedeath.Hecarriesarapier,twodaggers,andalightcrossbow.Iftheparty
includesmorethan1characterwhoisprimarilyaspellcaster,youmayalsowishtoincludehis
orherfocusonRafalsperson,himhavingtakenitasloot.Shoutsandblowsarenotloud
enoughtoalerttheReziniksinthehouse.Somethingsuchasathunderclap,however,is.

Development: Lights Out

IftheReziniksfindoutthatthePCsareontothem,Melinamagicallyextinguishesallofthe
lightsinthehouse.That,orthewarningofoneoftheRezinikadults,willsignaltherestofthe
familytoreadytheirdefenses.
AlloftheRezinikadultsexceptMelina,Erstan,andTobulremaininthehouseandwill
usetheshadows,stealthandsurprisetotheiradvantage,hidinginclosets,thepantry,behind
corners,orabovethePCsonthestairwayorotherledges.Theareastheychooseforambush
dependuponwherethey(1)havethebestconcealment,(2)canmakeuseofasgreatanumber
ofthemaspossible(3)canretreattootherdefensiblepartsofthehouseifneeded,(4)can
utilizethehousestraps,and(5)wheretheycanquicklyreachoncealerted.
Notableambushpointsinclude(1)thekitchen(areaR9f),justafterthePCsexitthe
cellar,(2)Thelowerstaircase,wheretheReziniksmakeuseofthecaltropstrap,(3)aroundthe
bendsofthehallinareaR9i,wheretheycanusethetrapdoortotemporarilytakeoneofthe
PCsoutofthefight,and(4)intheclosetsandbathroomofthemasterbedroom(areaR9r).
Duringthistime,DMsareadvisedtotakeparticularcaretokeepthesuspensehigh;havethe
PCsrollaperceptioncheckortwofornootherreasonthantokeepthemonedge.Pausefor
silencebetweenyourstatements,andraiseyourvoiceinsuddenstatementswhenoneofthe
Reziniksattacksfromtheshadows.
LizandNikosstayintheirroom.IfthePCsenter,theycowerinthecorner,behinda
bed,whimpering,feigningterror.Theyarereluctanttotalk,butifpressed,theywillsaythey
hidehereandgetscaredwheneverthegrown-upstakeawayguests.However,ifoneofthePCs
turnstheirback,andthekidsbelievetheycantakeoutoneofthePCsbywayofsurprise,they
will.Ifcornered,theyfighttothedeathwithferalrage.
Unlessforcedout,Tobulstaysinhisroom(seeareaR9h).
Immediatelyafterthelightsareextinguished,MelinaandErstanmoveinsidetheshack
(areaR7)toguardtheentrancetothetomb.Onceinside,theyimmediatelyspotPCs
approachingtheshack,unlesstheymakeapointofbeingstealthyandtheirDexterity(stealth)
checkexceedsErstanandMelinaspassiveperception.Beforetheplayersarrive,Melinausesan
actiontosummonraiseherzombiedogfromthegraveyard(areaR7).
Usethezombiestatisticsforthedog,withthefollowingmodifications:
Ithasaspeedof30
Insteadofmakingaslamattack,itmakesabiteattack,withthesameattack
bonusanddamageastheslamattack,butdealingpiercingdamage.
Thedogdiscretelyapproachestheshack,butdoesnotrevealitselfuntilcombathas
beenjoinedwithMelinaandErstan.Erstanwillhavehislightcrossbowattheready,buthas
alsohaspackedarapier(takenfromthestudy,areaR9d).OncethePCshavedispatchedthe
nearbyenemies,thePCscanhearfaintwhisperscomingfromthedirectionoftheshack.
IfthePCsattempttorestbeforeescapingordefeatingtheMalevolentSpirit,10minutes
intotheirrest,theyareattackedby1d6+1poisonoussnakes,whichslitherforthfromthe
garden,heedingthecalloftheMalevolentSpirit.

R9a. Portico
Acastironknockerisfastenedtotheoakdoor,andcobwebscanbeseenabove,stretched
amongstthecornersoftheportico.

R9b. Common Room

Openingthedoor,youaremetwithsmellsthatpromisesasavorymeal.Theroombeforeyouisa
commonarea,litbysconcesandawarmhearth,besidewhichisanoldportraitofafamily.Couches
andcomfortablechairsaresituatedinthemiddleoftheroom,theirfabricabittattered.Thereis
evenaviolonthefarend.Despitethegeneralwearandtear,theareaiscleanandtidy.

ThesmellcomesfromMelinascooking.Therearealsosomeendtablesintheroom.Ifthe
portraitisinspectedmoreclosely,read:

Theportraitdepictsadark-hairedmaninhismidthirtiesbesideawoman,ateenageboy,ayounger
girl,andandevenyoungerboy.Behindthemisamanofaboutsixty.Thewomansfacehasbeen
obscuredbyscratchesonthecanvas.

ThepeopleintheportraitareErstan,Loredana(Erstansdeadwife),Anton,Alara,Rafal,and
Tobul,respectively(seeappendixfordetailsonthesefamilymembers).

R9c. Stairs
Thesestairsascendordescend15feet,andhaverottedalittlebeneaththeirsteps.IfanyPC
thateitherfailsaDC14Dexterity(stealth)check,orisnotattemptingtobestealthy,readthe
following:

Youstepcarriesyouup,butasyouletyourfootdown,thestairsletoutapainedcreak.

Ifthealarmhasbeensounded(seeR9Development:LightsOut),thetrapsmechanismis
readied;thesecondsteponthelowerstaircaseactingasapressureplate.Whenactivated,a
compartmentopensaboveandscattercaltropsaroundtheentireareaofthelowerstaircase.
Thistrapwillnotbeactivatedunlessithasbeenreadied.

R9d. Study
Thisroomisfinelyfurnishedwithtwobookcasesonoppositesidesofthewall,besideeachofwhich
isanendtablewithabrightlamp.Atthefarendoftheroomisadust-covereddeskstackedwithold
papers.Adjacentthedeskisadisplaycaseholdingalongswordandahandcrossbow.

PCswhoapproachthedeskalsonoticeaquartzcrystalballwhichissetthereasanornamentor
paperweight,thoughitisworth25gpandandcanbeusedasanarcaneordruidicfocus.Besure
tomakethatlaterfactclearifthePCshavebeenstrippedoftheirequipment.Thepapersonthe
deskarenotesandledgersfromwhenthefamilybusinesswasmoreactive.Aninkpenlays
besidethepapers.
Thedisplaycasehasasimplepadlock,butcanbepickedwithasuccessfulDC12
Dexterity(thievestools)check(thoughanimprovisedlockpickcanalsobeused).Alternatively,
thecaseorlockcanbesmashedbyahardobjectsuchasahammer.BothhaveanACof11and
5hitpoints.Thecasealsocontainsacontainerwith10crossbowbolts.
Thebookshelvesarefilledpredominantlywithworksoffictionandbooksonmedicine.
ADC13Intelligence(investigation)checkwillalsorevealabookentitledTheLifeand
UndeathofStrahdVonZarovichwhichrecountsahistoryofthevampire.

R9e. Dining Room

Youenterwhatisclearlyadiningroom.Abovethetablehandsabrass-platedchandelierwitha
coupleofitstipsmissing.Thereareenoughchairsatthetablefor9people.Boththechairsandthe
tablearechippedandscratched.Onthetableareplattersofwarmbread,porkchops,cabbageand
peas,whichexudeadeliciousaroma.

MelinahasbeenworkingondinnersincebeforethePCsarrived,andhasalreadysetthetable.
IfthePCsstayfordinner,Melinaalsocooksadesertcalledplacinte--apeachpastryturnover.

R9f. Kitchen
Theshelvesofthiskitchenarestackedwithfinebutoftcrackeddishware.Thekitchenalsohasan
oven,astove,andabucketcontainingdishwater.

R9g. Cellar Entrance

Thistinyroomsonlypurposeistoleadtothepantry,thehousesbackdoor,andthecellar.The
cellardoorislocked.EveryRezinikadulthasakey.ItcanalsobepickedwithasuccessfulDC16
Dexterity(thievestools)check.

R9h. Pantry
Behindthisdoorisameagerpantry.Suppliesarelow,andmanyofthemappearnolongerfresh.A
centipedequicklyskittersawayintoacrackinthewall.

Inside,thereisnofoodsuitableforrations.Mostoftheusablefoodstuffsaremerely
ingredients.

R9i. Upstairs Hallways

Thesehallslinkalloftheupstairsroom.Inthenortheastcorner,thereisasecrettrapdoor
whichdropsanyonewhostepsatopitintothecommonroom(areaR9b),rightatopthebasket
containingthefireplacepoker.Anysuchindividualtakes1d6bludgeoningand1d6piercing
damage.ThetrapdoorcanbedetectedwithasuccessfulDC14Wisdom(perception)check.
However,thetrapdoorwillnotswingopenunlessithasbeenreadier(seeR9Development:
LightsOut).

R9j. Anton and Ivanas Room

AntonandIvanasharethisroom.Theyhaveaqueen-sizedbed,whichIvanausestorestinif
sheiswounded.Additionally,thereisadresser,containingcommonclothingforthemboth,as
wellastheverygarmentIvanausedtodisguiseherselfasAlara.Atthefootofthebed,thereis
alsoasmall,lockedchest,whichcontainstwosilverringsofverydifferentdesign,eachworth
10gp,adagger,abroachworth10gp,andahattypicallywornbywomen.Theseitemsare
lootedfromtheReziniksvictims.ItcanbeopenedwithaDC14Dexterity(thievestools)check.
Underthebed,thereisalightcrossbowandacaseof20boltsthatAntonorIvanacanretrieve
incasetheyneedadistanceweapon.

R9k. Rafals Room

Rafalsbedroomisfairlytypical,sportingatwin-sizedbed,anightstandbesideit,adesk,a
dresser,andachest.WhenRafalsleeps,hekeepshisdaggersonhisnightstand,andhisrapier
andlightcrossbowleaningagainsthisbed,allwithinarmsreach.Onthewall,hehaspinneda
2.5x5mapofBarovia,onwhichisdepictedtheregionsmountains,bodiesofwater,forests,
andsettlements.Inthedrawerofhisdesk,thereisajournalwithRafalsdrawings,depicting
disturbingimagesofdemonicsacrifice,torture,andmutilation.Inthesamedrawer,PCswill
findacaseof20crossbowbolts.

R9l. Latrine
Thistinyroomcontainstheessentialsofabathroom;adrytoilet(whichleadstoacesspit
behindthehouse),toiletpaper,andawashingbasin.IfaPCmakesuseofthetoilet,readthe
followingtextimmediatelyafter:

Afterhavingrelievedyourself,youglancebackatthetoilettoseedimshapeofadarkcreaturewith
clawsandgleamingeyes,justbeforeitscittersbackintotheholefromwhenceitcame.

Thecreaturegoesintothecesspitandstaysthere.IfthePCsreallyinsistonexploringthat
area,youcanusethestatisticsofaquasit.

R9m. Alaras room

Thisroomislocked.ThereisakeyinErstansnightstand.Itcanalsobepickedwitha
successfulDC13Dexterity(thievestools)check.Onceinside,read

Thisdust-coveredroomissparselyfurnished,itscontentsappearingundisturbedforsometime.The
twin-sizedbediscoveredinbeddingwhich,atonetime,musthavelookedcolorful,aswouldthetrim
onthewhitevanity.Theonlyotherfurnitureintheroomisalightdresser.

Thedrawersofthevanityareempty,saveforthetopone,whichcontainsafewhairpinsanda
brushwithpale,strayhairsstuckbetweentheteeth.Thedresserislikewiseempty,saveforthe
bottomdrawerwhichcontainsaletterfromLazlo(Alarasdeceasedbeloved).Theletterreads:

Alara,
Iamelatedtohaveyourfathersblessingforourengagement.Atfirst,IbelievedyourErstanwouldreactwitha
certaindegreeofbitternessthatIhavecometoexpectfromhim,especiallysincewemarrysoyoung.However,
hiswarmsmilewhenwemadetheannouncementbroughtmegreatjoy.Asyoumayalreadyknow,hehas
decidedtohaveafamilyfeastinourhonor.Iamgratefultofinallybeacceptedbyyourlot.
Love,
Lazlo

R9n. Spare Room

Thisroomcontainsasimplebed,asmalldresser,andanemptychest.Theplaceiscleanand
thereisroomfortwoothersbeddingonthefloor.IfthePCsarewelcomeguests,theReziniks
canprovideadditionalbeddingfromtheattic(areaR9s).

R9o. Stairs to Attic

Thesestairsascend12feettoareaR9tordescendtoareaR9i.Thewoodisquiteoldandcreaks
noisilywhentrodupon.

R9p. Tobuls Room

Tobulsroomisalsosimpleinitsdecor;atwin-sizedbed,adress(filledwithcommonclothes),
aandnightstand(withanoillanternatop).Ontopofthedressthereisaframedsketchofa
manandawomanintheirthirties(TobulandDiona,Tobulsdeceasedwife).

IftheLightsOutdevelopment(seesectionR9)hasoccurred,andTobulisinhisroomas
normal,readthefollowingtext:

Tobulweaklysitsatophisbed,fullyclothed.Withoutlookingatyou,heuttersGodsforgivemefor
notstoppingthismadness,thengritshisteeth,andpromptlydrawsawickedknife,andcarvesa
deepgougeintohisownthroat.Bloodspurtsforthinaspectacularspray,paintingthefloorred.

MinorhealingspellswillslowTobulsdeath,butwillonlycausehimtoexpireanagonizing30
secondslaters,duringwhichtimehecanonlygurgleincoherently.

R9q. Kids Room

ThisroombelongstoLizandNikos.Twochild-sizedbedsaresituatedonoppositesidesofthe
room.Thereisalsoadresserandamirror.Scatteredabouttheroomareafewtoys;onea
stuffedanimalwhichlookslikeacrossbetweenawolfandabear,ablackrockinghorsewitha
redmaneandtale,andaclothdollofablack-hairedelfgirl.Thelarge,blackglasseyesshinein
thelight.Onesgazecaneasilybecaughtinthem.Allthreetoyshavealabelsewnontothem
whichreads,Smile!-Tobsy.
ThedollhasanenchantmentcastuponitandbindstothefirstPCwhotouchesit.The
nextday,thatPCwillfindthedollontheirpersons.Iftheydestroyorleavethedollelsewhere,
itreappearsintheirpossession24hourslater,leavingnotraceoftheformerdollbehind.The
dollcanbeunboundwithadispelmagicspell,orgiftingittoanotherwillingperson.
Meanwhile,itactsasafociwhichcanbeusedforPatrinatoeasilyscryonthePCtowhomitis
bound.

R9r. Master Bedroom

ErstanandMelinasharethiswell-decoratedroom,inthecenterofwhichisanornaterug.
Partiallyobscuringtherugisaqueen-sizedbed.Otherfeaturesinclude2dressers,awalk-in
closet,2nightstands,andaprivatebathwithahandpumpfaucetandadrainwithpipingthat
leadsoutside.Thetopdrawerofthevanityislocked.Insideareanobsidiancrystal,fangsofa
beast,ajarofaunknownbluepowder,threeravenfeathers,5sticksofincense,8candles,a
ceremonialdagger,ahumanfingerinabottle(silverringworth15gpstillattached),anda
pouchfullofsmallanimalbones

R9s. Bath
Inthisroomisashiningwhiteporcelaintubandashelfwithbarsoapandabottleofshampoo.
ADC8Intelligence(investigation)checkrevealsthebathhasbeenusedveryrecently(the
smellsarestillhangingintheair).Ifthecharactermakingthecheckrolledan11orhigher,he
orshewillalsonoticeithasbeencleanedjustasrecently.Ascoreof15orhigherwillreveala
tinysmidgeofbloodonthesideofthetub;amarkfromwhereIvanascrapedherself.

R9t. Attic
Theatticismusty,itswoodenstructuresrottenbytime.Thecornersnotswallowedbydarknessare
filledwiththickspiderwebs.

Despitetheunappealingnatureofthemainatticarea,boththeroomswhichtheReziniks
arrangetobesleepingquartersaretidy,eventhoughthecotslookratherold,butthebeddingis
allclean.Thereare8cotsintotal;4ineachroom.

R9u. Attic Storage

Thedoortothisroomislocked.AlltheRezinikadultshavethekey.Thelockcanalsobepicked
withaDC14Dexterity(thievestools)check.Failingthat,thedoorcanbebrokendown;ithas
anACof15and16hitpoints.
Behindthedoorareseveralcrates,mostofthemempty.Thesecratesarelabelledwith
RezinikRejuvenatingElixirs.Thereareatotalof7bottlesofmedicineamongthem.Behind
theempty/openedcratesisasecretdoorwhichcanbediscoveredwithaDC12Wisdom
(perception)check.
BehindthisdooriswherethePCsbelongingsarebehindkept,aswellasthebelongings
ofothervictims,whicharepiledinthebackoftheroom.Theseitemsinclude4setsofcommon
clothing,2messkits,2backpacks,2bedrolls,3blankets,5candles,1flaskofholywater,and2
barsofsoap.
Themedicine,whenimbibed,restores1hitpointeveryturnfor1d6+1rounds,starting
onthecreaturesnextturn.Itcomesitabottle,weighsapound,andhasavalueof35gp.

R9v. Cellar
Thecellarisfilledwithclutter.Therearemanyemptycratesandbarrels,andchoppedwood.
Additionally,thereiscornerinwhichutilitiesarekept,whichincludes,ahammer,asaw,rope,
ashovel,abucket,awoodcuttersaxe,acrowbar,aandwhetstone.
Alsoofnoteisamixingstationusedtomakebatchesofthemedicine.Smallbarrelsof
powdersandbrewswhichmakeupitsingredientssitnearby,buttheformuladoesnot.
Concealedbehindthecratesandbarrelsisalockedtrapdoorleadingtothecellartunnel
(areaR9w).

R9w. Cellar Tunnel

Theairinthistunnelisdank,itsstructurebutrough,barestone.

R9x. Sacrificial Chamber

IfthePCsarriveherewithouthavingfallenintotheRezinikstrap,readthefollowing,
otherwise,refertosectionR9Development:TheRezinikTrap,Phase3:

Youenteracavern.Theareaislitwithdozensoftinycandles,theirredflamesflickeringangrily.A
deathlymisthangsaboutthefloor,whichisstrewnwithcountlesshumanbones.Awoodeneffigyof
ahumanoidinatatteredblackcapeisproppedinthecenterofthefloor,whichisraisedslightly.A
womaninagreenshirtwithoneofthesleevestornoffisboundandgaggedagainstoneofseveral
woodenpoleswhichformasemicirclearoundtheeffigy.

ThewomanisNamiraRadova,sisterofTeufeldorfslocaloneiromancer.Shehasthestatistics
ofaCGcommonerandisunderstandablyterrifiedanddoesnotwanttogowiththeparty
furtherintothedepthsofthelair,ifshe(a)survivesand(b)learnsofsaiddepths.Sheis
concernedalmostexclusivelywithescapingandreportingwhathappenedtohersister,Sorina.
TherearecracksinthewallofthefarsideoftheroomconnecttoareaR10j.Witha
successfulDC13Wisdom(perception)check,aPCcanascertainthereareman-madeobjectson
thefarside,butcannotmakeoutanydetailsduetothesmallspace.Despitehavingcracks,the
wallistoostrongtobebrokendownwithoutsiegeequipment.
R10. Tomb
ThistombwascreatedforaTergwarlordhundredsofyearsagowhentheTergbarbarians
ravagedBarovia.

R10a. Descent Tunnel

Youdescenddownatunnelofroughly-hewnstone.Therearenosconcesorotherlightsources,just
darknessandalong,dreadfulsighpermeatingthesilence,beckoningtoyoufromwithin.

Theentireareaisshroudedinnon-magicaldarkness.Characterswithoutdarkvisionwillneed
lightsourcestosee.

R10b. Entry Chamber

Thetunnelopensuptoachamberadornedwithamacabredisplay.Dozensofhumanskullslook
uponyoufromgroovesinthewalls.Long-decayedanimalsacrificeslayonstoneshelves,andseveral
bowlssitonanofferingstable,theircontentnowturnedtodust.Atthefarendoftheroomloomsa
hugefacesculptedintothewall,belowwhichisaniron-bounddoorwherethemouthshouldbe.

R10c. Warriors Burial Hall

Fourpillarswithblockscarvedintothelikenessofanimalheadssupportthehighceilingofthis
cavern,fromwhichdangletwochainedhumanskeletons.Severalstandingsarcophagiarebuiltinto
thewalls.Tunnelsextendfromtheleftandrightsidesoftheroom,whilemuchofthefarsideis
obscuredbytwistedivy.Atthebaseofthatwalllietheremainsofsomeonecladintatteredleather
armor.

However,thefloorwithin5feetofthegateiscoveredwithpressureplates.Anycreature
whostepsatoponemustmakeaDC15Dexteritysavingthrow,taking11(2d10)poisondamage
onafailure,orhalfasmuchonasuccessfulone,aspoisoneddartsshootfromthenearest
columns.Theivythatcoversthegateisconstrictingivy,butitdoesnotattackthePCsunless
theytouchitorthegate.
AfterthePCshaveclearedtheivy,read:

Theivydissolvesintoshrivelledflakes,revealingalarge,stonedoorwithtwotriangle-shapedholes
inthecenter.

Thetwotriangle-shapedslotsarekeyholesforonyxkeysfromthealtar(areaR10f)and
theladysburialchamber(areaR10i).
UnlessthePCshavemovedwithstealth,theircheckexceedingthepassiveperceptionof
theTergskeletons(seeappendix),whenthePCsenterthecenteroftheroom,5ofthemburst
fromtheirsarcophagi-1oneachofthewallswiththetunnels,and3onthewallclosesttothe
EntryChamber(areaR10c).

R10d. Tapestry Room
Theonlynotablefeatureinthisroomisalargetapestry,partiallydisintegratedwithage,its
depictionslong-faded.

IfthePCslookbehindthetapestry,thatcanspotasecretdoorleadingtothehallwaybeforethe
altarroom(areaR10f)withasuccessfulDC14Wisdom(perception)check.

R10e. Centipede Statue

Thissmallroomhasawoodendoorontheleft-handwall.Againstthewalldirectlyinfrontofyou
standsawoodenstatueofamanwithhiseyesandmouthagape.Woodensupportslinetheroom.All
ofthematerialisgreyanddeterioratedwithage.

Thedoorisstuckonitshinges.Itcanbeopenedwithasmallamountofforce(asuccessfulDC
11Strength(athletics)check),butafterdoingso,readthefollowing:

Yourpushswingsthedooropen,sendingashudderdownthewoodensupports.Youcanhear
splinteringandsoftskitteringthatmultipliesuntilitsoundslikeadozensawscuttingatalog.
Hundredsuponhundredsofcentipedespourfromthemouthandeyesofthestatue,andevenmore
fallfromabreachinthedoorframeaboveuntiltheentireroomisswarmingwiththevilecreatures,
darkmandiblesmovingaboutexcitedly.

Havetheplayersrollinitiative;the2swarmsofinsects(centipedes),onebelowthedoor,the
otherbelowthestatue,immediatelyattackthePCsontheirturn.

R10f. Altar
Asinglesliverofmoonlighttricklesinthroughacrackintheroof,revealingaanaltar.Thealtar,
however,insteadofbeingilluminated,remainsmostlyasilhouette,itstopcompletelyblack,literally
drippingwithinsubstantialdarkness.Setuponthealtar,youcanhowever,seeatheshineofanonyx
stoneshapedlikeatriangle.

ThisisanaltartotheTergsevil-alignedgodofcorruptingdarkness.Theonyxstoneisoneof
thekeysforthegateinareaR10c.Thedarknessofthealtarisharmful.Anylivingcreaturethat
comeswithin1footofitsuffers11(2d10)necroticdamage,andalikeamountofdamageifit
endsitsturnwithinthatproximity.Thekeycanberetrievedbysimplyknockingitawayfrom
thealtar.
IfthePCshavenoothermeansoffire-starting,youshouldplacetwoflasksofoilinthis
room.

R10g. Trophy Room

Thewallsofthissmallchamberaredecoratedwithtrophies,manyofwhichappearmonstrous,
othersarehumanskullswithvariouscorrodedhelmets.Severalweaponsalsorestonracksonthefar
wall.Oneofthem--anaxe,appearsundamaged,despitethepassageoftime.

Themonstrousskullsbelongtoahag,awerewolf,andawyvern.Eachofwhichcanbe
identifiedwithaseparateDC14Intelligence(nature)check.

Treasure
Theaxeisa+1battleaxe.Removingitfromtherackreleasesthetrapsmechanisms,makinga
clickingnoise.Creatureswithin5feetofthelongswordmustmakeaDC13DexteritySaving
throw,taking11(2d10)piercingdamageonafailure,orhalfasmuchonasuccess,asspikes
descendfromtheceiling.Note:DMsshouldfeelfreetoreplacethebattleaxewithadifferent+1
weaponifabattleaxedoesnotsuitthepartysneeds.

R10h. Ivy-Blocked Chamber

Thisroomisnothingmorethananexpandedcornerinthetunnel,buttheentranceisblocked
byconstrictingivy(seeappendix)thatattackswhenalivingcreaturecomeswithin5feet.

R10i. Ladys Burial Chamber

ThischamberbelongstothewifeoftheTergwarlord,adarkpriestessinlife.Theotherbodies
intheroomareherhandmaidens.

Youenteraroomdecoratedwithsnakeboneshangingfromtheceilinglikehuge,beadednecklaces.
Inrecessedshelvesontheleftandrightsideoftheroom,long-deadhumanoidformslay,wrappedin
sheets,headtotoe.Inthecenteroftheroom,awitheredcorpseofawomanisproppedagainstthe
wall,tatteredpriestlyrobesstillclingingtoherform.

OncethePCsenter,read

Theeyesoftherobedcorpseopenwithbalefulbluefires.Sheuncrossesherarmsandthesnake
skeletonsdescendtothefloorandbegintoslithertowardyou.

CombatimmediatelybeginswiththeMalevolentLady(seeappendix)andatotaloffour
skeletalsnakes(seeappendix).

Treasure
TheLadywearsasilverandonyxcrownworth200gp.Additionally,thereare3potionsof
healing,aswellas2potionsofmagicrejuvenation(seeappendix).

R10j. Main Burial Chamber

Youenteralargeburialchamber,inthecenterofwhichisalargeplatformelevatedby5-footstone
pillars.Stairsleadfromthefloortotheedgeoftheplatform,inthemiddleofwhichisasingle
sarcophagusflankedbytwoburialurns.Thefarwallisdecoratedwiththecarvingsofawarrior
leadingsoldierstovictory,andsubsequentlyenslavingthedefeatedpeoples.Thechamberisfilledby
bynotapresence,butbytheabsenceoflife;avoidsoprofoundyoufeelcold.

OnceallofthePCshaveenteredthechamber,read:

Behindyou,thestonegadegrindsclosedwithanoteoffinality.Smokey,blackwispsseepfroma
crackinthesarcophagusandcoalesceintoasingleentityofpuredarkness.Itsincorporealform
vaguelyresemblesahumanoid,andfromitseyesimminentsheermalice.Strandsofetherealenergy
alsobegintogatherabouttheburialurns,takingtheshapeoftwospectralhounds.

TheMalevolentSpirit(seeappendix)hastwohounds,whichhavethespecterstatistics,with
thefollowingmodifications:
Theyhave18(4d8)hitpoints.
TheirLifeDrainabilitydeals7(2d6)necroticdamage.

Treasure
Thereisachestupagainstthefarwallcontaining350ep,agarnetworth100gp,andapairof
ivory-carvedbraceletsworth125gp.

Development: Youre Hired!

IfthePCsmanagetodefeattheMalevolentSpiritanditshounds,readthefollowing:

Youturntoseeafinely-dressedelfwomanwithpallidskinandbackhairsittingonaraisedstonein
thecorneroftheroom.Seemingtomaintaineyecontactwitheveryoneofyousimultaneously,she
slowlyclapsinappreciation.

ThewomanisnoneotherthantheDarkLadyPatrinaVelikovnaherself.Shehasbeenobserving
thePCs,invisible,andisgladtoseethathavemadeitthisfar.ShehasanofferforthePCs,one
whichmayappealtotheirsensibilities,and,unbeknownsttothem,setsherplanintomotion.
AwaitthereleaseofthefullReturnoftheDarkMistressadventuretolearnmoreofwhat
PatrinahasinstoreforthePCsandBarovia.

Appendix

Constricting Ivy
Each5-footsquarepatchofivycanattempttograspatasinglecreaturethatcomeswithin5
feet.ThecreaturemustsucceedonaDC14Strengthsavingthroworbecomerestrained.A
creaturerestrainedbytheivytakes7(2d6)bludgeoningdamageatthestartofeachofitsturns.
AcreaturecanattempttofreeitselforanothercreaturewithaDC14Strengthcheck.Each
patchofivyhasanACof12and11hitpoints,withimmunitypoison,psychicandnecrotic
damage,aswellasresistanttocold,piercing,andthunderdamage.Ifreducedto0hitpoints,it
willregrowonitsnextturnunless,with5hitpointsunlessithastakenfiredamage.

Potion of Magic Rejuvenation

Acreaturethatusesitsactiontodrinkthispotionrestores2spellslots,ifatleastthatmany
havebeenexpended.Thepotioncomesinaglassvial,weighs1pound,andhasavalueof50gp.

The Reziniks

Alara
AboutayearafterMelinakilledLorena,Alarahadfalleninloveandplannedtomarryaman
fromTuefeldorfnamedLazlo,whobecamethefamilyssacrificetoStrahd.Unabletobear
whatherfamilyhadbecome,Alarahangedherselfafewdaysafter.Shewas18atthetimeof
herdeath.

Anton and Ivana

AntonandIvana(age29and27)areatsuchharmonywitheachotherthatthemarriagemight
appearendearing,wereitnotfortheirevilways.Theyrarelyhavetoverballyexpresstheir
thoughtstooneanother,astheyarefrequentlyofthesamemind.Theymoreoftenjustglance
atoneanotherandgivesomegesture.Whenoneofthemtalks,theotherwilloftenfinishhisor
hersentence.Botharecunningandpronetoacool-headeddemeanor,butofthetwo,Anton,
(thesonofErstanandLorena)isthemorelikelytoshowemotion.

Erstan
Despitenotbeingtheeldestmaleinthispatriarchalfamily,Erstan(age48)isregardedasits
headbecauseofthecontributionshehasmade.BeforeMelinacamealong,hewasknownasa
good-naturedsort,withanoptimismthatdidnotshrinkeveninthefaceofbadcircumstances.
Hiswifesdeathchangedthat.Despitethefactthatheactslikehisoldselfaroundpotential
victims,totherestofthefamily,heiswithdrawn.Hismind,whichwaspreviouslysharp
enoughtoinventhiselixirandsuccessfullymarketit,isnowjumbledwithtroubledthoughts.

Lizabetha and Nikos

ThesetwochildrenaretheoffspringofAntonandIvana.Fromtheiryoungestdays,theyhave
beenbroughtupunderthewickedpracticesofthefamilycult,andhaveknownnothingbutits
evilwaysaslongastheycanremember.Nevertheless,theyexcelatputtingonadisarmingly
cuteactforpotentialvictims.Lizabeth,orsimplyLiz,is8yearsold,andNikosis6.

Melina
Borntoanancient,barbarictribeofBarovia,Melinahasalwayssoughttofurtherherown
powerandpayhomagetothespiritofStrahd,whichhertribebelievestostillexistintheland.
Evenattheageof43,sheisstillmoreattractivethanmostwomenintheirthirties,andcanput
onaconvincingactofagood-naturedwifewhenitsuitsher.Withnooutsiderspresent,
however,sheisshrillanddemanding.AlthoughshedoesnotusuallyinterferewithErstans
managementofthefamily,whenshewantssomething,shegetsit.

Rafal
Rafal(age24)theyoungestofErstanandLorenaschildren.Bitteratneverhavinghadfound
truecompanionshipbeforeMelinasarrival,hebecamethemostdevotedoccultpractitioner.
Hedelightsinkillingoutsiders,butputsonafacadeofayoungman,eagerforadventurewhen
luringinpotentialvictims.

Tobul
Tobul(age65)isErstansfather.Heusedthefactthathesuffersfromillnesswhichleaveshim
shakyandmakesitdifficulttowalkinordertoexcusehimselffromthefamilysdarkrituals.In
truth,heishorrifiedatthedepthshisfamilyhassunkto,buthasneverhadthecouragenorthe
strengthtointervene

Additional Family Members

SpaceinthehouseisavailableformoreReziniksifyouhavealargerpartyandwishtoinclude
more.Beware,however,thattoomanyparticipantsinacombatinthecrampedquartersofthe
housecanmaketheencounterawkward.

Rezinik equipment
Unlessnotedotherwise,eachRezinikadultcarries3daggersontheirpersons,andasingle
needlecontainingMelinassleeptoxin.However,whenthealarmissounded,ErstanandRafal
willbothtakeupalightcrossbowandarapier,andAntonhisownlightcrossbow.

Stat Blocks