On March 15, Wizards of the Coast will release Curse of Strahd: an epic new campaign for Dungeons & Dragons. In Curse of Strahd, adventurers travel into Barovia, a haunted land ruled by the vampire Strahd von Zarovich. Will the party defeat the vampire and bring peace to Barovia or join his undead thrall?
Planning a trip to Barovia? Better read these five tips for travelers:
1. Leave the Ten-Foot Pole at Home and Use Your Brains. This isn’t a dungeon crawl, it’s a gothic horror, Dungeons & Dragons style. Eventually, you will have to face Strahd in battle (and heaven help you when you do), but it won’t happen in a room you happen upon in a sprawling underground labyrinth. Chances are he’ll come for you when he’s good and ready, and you are at your most vulnerable
2. Strahd is Just Not That Into You. Or Anyone Else. Being a nearly invulnerable immortal can get boring and Strahd likes to play with his meals before he consumes them. Strahd enjoys using his power and dark charm to separate party members and turn them against each other. Evil can be seductive, and Strahd is a master at head games. Just remember that Strahd loves no one but Strahd, and he won’t share his power with anyone, no matter what.
3. Don’t Judge a Book By Its Foul Smell and Decaying Flesh. Barovia has been scarred by centuries of betrayal and bloodshed, and even other bad guys want a piece of Strahd. Undead monsters that might attack you on sight under any other circumstances might be willing to strike up a bargain if they think you can bring down the Count. Some of them might just leave you alone if you don’t bother them. Still, you should probably assume the worst unless you have a good reason to believe otherwise. Oh, and of course, not everyone who claims to be your ally really is. Expect to be betrayed and you’ll seldom be disappointed.
4. Find the Others. Quickly. Just because Barovia is a blighted realm haunted by ravenous undead monsters and mutants it doesn’t mean that there aren’t people still trying to make a living—or at least not die too soon. Some of them are a little warped, but you would be too if you grew up on the set of Dracula. Look for villages and other outposts of civilization. Keep an eye open for the caravans of the nomadic Vistani people, as well. Some of them might be willing to put you up for the night. Don’t underestimate the value of a locked door when werewolves are on the prowl.
5. Bring a Good Pair of Hiking Boots. You’re going to spend a lot of your time creeping around crumbling gothic castles, tromping through windswept moors, and hiking up haunted hills. You had better be prepared for it. If you don’t have a ranger or druid in your party then you’d better bone up on your wilderness survival gear.