# Hotfix 2.0.9.4 (October 1, 2024) * Revised the introductory text regarding player expectations in [[Session Zero]] # Hotfix 2.0.9.3 (September 3, 2024) * Removed Kiril's ***weak grip*** feature and added a warning callout box regarding movement speed while grappled in [[Arc Q - A Shining Beacon]] # Hotfix 2.0.9.2 (September 2, 2024) * Nerfed Kiril's hit points and ***corrupted miasma*** bonus action in [[Arc Q - A Shining Beacon]] # Hotfix 2.0.9.1 (September 1, 2024) * Removed Belviews from combat with the Abbot and removed unconsciousness from Abbot's ***frightful presence*** in [[Arc Q - A Shining Beacon]] # Version 2.0.9 (August 29, 2024) * Added [[Arc Q - A Shining Beacon]] * Fixed assorted typos & inconsistencies * Revised [[History of Barovia]] to reflect that Strahd has not yet bitten Ireena and the siege of Barovia is ongoing at the beginning of [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc B - Welcome to Barovia|Arc B - Welcome to Barovia]]. * Added a milestone XP chart in [[Adventure Summary]] * Added an additional warning regarding homebrewing or modifications/additions in [[Arc A - Escape From Death House]] * Addressed the possibility of players visiting the church early in [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc B - Welcome to Barovia|Arc B - Welcome to Barovia]] * Modified the *fire bottles* to use distilled wine in [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc B - Welcome to Barovia|Arc B - Welcome to Barovia]] * Clarified Muriel's behavior during a *speak with animals* spell in [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc C - Into the Valley|Arc C - Into the Valley]] * Clarified that infected lycanthropes must kill an innocent to embrace the curse in [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc C - Into the Valley|Arc C - Into the Valley]] * Changed Tatyana from Strahd's "true love" to his "true desire" in [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc C - Into the Valley|Arc C - Into the Valley]] * Fixed Kerez and Korga not recognizing the players in [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc C - Into the Valley|Arc C - Into the Valley]] * Moved the Tarokka reading to the Ivlis River Crossroad and removed Madam Eva's teleportation in [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc C - Into the Valley|Arc C - Into the Valley]] * Clarified that the strix doesn't target Muriel in [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc C - Into the Valley|Arc C - Into the Valley]] * Added a response for Strahd if the players ask to be released from Barovia in [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc C - Into the Valley|Arc C - Into the Valley]] * Modified Madam Eva's reading regarding the *Tome of Strahd* in [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc C - Into the Valley|Arc C - Into the Valley]] to prevent players from mistaking the skeletal rider for the "wandering soul" in her foretelling * Added an additional **wolf** encounter in [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc C - Into the Valley|Arc C - Into the Valley]] and revised the **wolf** statblock * Replaced some wolves in the Werewolf's Hunt encounter in [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc C - Into the Valley|Arc C - Into the Valley]]with an additional werewolf * Clarified in [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc C - Into the Valley|Arc C - Into the Valley]] that the werewolf pack did not hunt humans before Kiril's rise to power * Clarified that Ezmerelda's map of Barovia doesn't mark locations other than settlements in [[Arc E - The Missing Vistana]] * Added an NPC profile for Van Richten in [[Arc E - The Missing Vistana]] * Explained how Van Richten responds if the players attempt to recruit him in [[Arc E - The Missing Vistana]] * Expanded Ireena's response if the players refuse to bring her to fight Izek in [[Arc G - The Strazni Siblings]] * Added rules regarding the destruction of the hag coven's contract in [[Arc H - The Lost Soul]] * Made it more difficult to accidentally trigger combat with the hag coven in [[Arc H - The Lost Soul]] * Added a fail-forward plotline for players defeated by Baba Lysaga in [[Arc I - The Walls of Krezk]] * Clarified that *spirit guardians* damages the roots in [[Arc J - The Stolen Gem]] * Clarified how Ezmerelda responds upon learning that the players stole from her wagon in [[Arc K - The Fallen Abbey]] * Reworked [[Arc L - The Den of Wolves]] to remove Kiril's return and add additional evil werewolves loyal to Kiril * Made Vladimir Horngaard's flame attacks deal fire damage instead of cold damage in [[Arc M - The Dragon's Manor]] * Added additional locations to encounter Rahadin in [[Arc P - Ravenloft Heist]] * Clarified what *detect magic* and *identify* reveal about amber shards in [[Amber Shards]] * Allowed players to continue using stage-two corruption spells in stage three of an amber shard's corruption, subject to exhaustion, in [[Amber Shards]] # Version 2.0.8.10 (August 15, 2024) * Clarified that Rahadin retreats upon activating the *amulet of Ravenloft* in [[Arc P - Ravenloft Heist]] # Version 2.0.8.9 (August 12, 2024) * Reduced Rahadin's hit points in each form to 180 and swapped his phase one ***parry*** and ***riposte*** reactions with his phase two ***vengeful strike*** and ***disarm*** reactions in [[Arc P - Ravenloft Heist]] # Version 2.0.8.8 (August 9, 2024) * Removed Rahadin's phase-one _misty step_ bonus action, decreased his _misty step_ reaction to once per round, and expanded his phase-two _amulet of Ravenloft_ reaction to trigger upon reaching 50 hit points or fewer in [[Arc P - Ravenloft Heist]] * Changed Vladimir's oathbind to only apply to Strahd in [[Arc M - The Dragon's Manor]] # Version 2.0.8.7 (August 2, 2024) * Removed reference to outdated version of Arc N in [[Act III Summary]] # Version 2.0.8.6 (July 28, 2024) * Increased dungeon hall trapdoor recharge time to 24 hours in [[Arc P - Ravenloft Heist]] # Version 2.0.8.5 (July 25, 2024) * Clarified how often and how many times the clock chimes in [[Arc O - Dinner with the Devil]] * Replaced a reference to Ludmilla's ***vengeful ward*** with her ***shroud of shadows*** in [[Arc J - The Stolen Gem]] # Version 2.0.8.4 (July 21, 2024) * Revised Ludmilla's second-phase claws, mist shards, dissipate, asphyxiate, poison mist, and ambush features in [[Arc P - Ravenloft Heist]] * Changed the title of Arc M to [[Arc M - The Dragon's Manor]] # Version 2.0.8.3 (July 20, 2024) * Removed Ludmilla's phase-one fly speed, changed her ***vengeful ward*** feature to a ***shroud of shadows*** bonus action, and modified the text of her ***shroud of shadows*** and ***mage's reprisal*** abilities in [[Arc J - The Stolen Gem]] and [[Arc P - Ravenloft Heist]] # Version 2.0.8.2 (July 20, 2024) * Added milestones and XP to [[Arc P - Ravenloft Heist]] # Version 2.0.8.1 (July 19, 2024) * Fixed broken links and typos in [[Arc P - Ravenloft Heist]] * Added a copy of the deprecated version of [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc B - Welcome to Barovia|Arc B - Welcome to Barovia]] # Version 2.0.8 (July 19, 2024) * Added [[Arc P - Ravenloft Heist]] * Reworked [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc B - Welcome to Barovia|Arc B - Welcome to Barovia]] such that the players now arrive immediately before the night day of Strahd's siege and the first night that Strahd visits Ireena. * Added additional artwork by artist [Caleb Cleveland](https://www.patreon.com/calebisdrawing/posts). * Added an additional line regarding creature alignments to the campaign contract in [[Session Zero]] * Updated Strahd's goals in [[Strahd von Zarovich]] to note that Strahd requires a scapegoat sacrifice (i.e., Rahadin) to escape during the Grand Conjunction * Revised the flesh mound's second phase in [[Arc A - Escape From Death House]] to allow for an automatic critical hit against the mound when its ***innocent heart*** is damaged. * Replaced Madam Eva's invitation in [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc B - Welcome to Barovia|Arc B - Welcome to Barovia]] with a request by Ismark Kolyanovich for the players to seek Eva's guidance on how to defeat Strahd * Moved the March of the Dead from [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc B - Welcome to Barovia|Arc B - Welcome to Barovia]] to [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc C - Into the Valley|Arc C - Into the Valley]] * Added an extended sequence involving Strahd's spy and the March of the Dead before the Tarokka reading in [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc C - Into the Valley|Arc C - Into the Valley]] * Added information regarding the players' ability to ambush the vampire spawn before retrieving the bones in [[Arc D - St. Andral's Feast]] * Gave Volenta a smoke bomb escape reaction in [[Arc D - St. Andral's Feast]] * Added information regarding their potential banishment from Vallaki if they alienate Baron Vallakovich in [[Arc E - The Missing Vistana]] * Added information regarding Lady Wachter's knowledge and character arc in [[Arc F - Lady Wachter's Wish]] * Moved Erasmus's plea to arrive just before dawn in [[Arc H - The Lost Soul]] * Added information regarding the players' failure to return a heartstone in [[Arc H - The Lost Soul]] * Removed references to the Fane leeches and the dagger of Leo Dilisnya in [[Arc H - The Lost Soul]], [[Arc I - The Walls of Krezk]] and [[Arc J - The Stolen Gem]]. * Added information regarding other areas of Berez in [[Arc I - The Walls of Krezk]] * Redistributed milestone XP in [[Act III Summary]] * Added additional reason for the players to return to Kavan's cairn in [[Arc J - The Stolen Gem]] * Added NPC profiles for Otto and Zygfrek Belview in [[Arc K - The Fallen Abbey]] * Added additional details regarding potential attempts to escape the *silverthorn collars* in [[Arc L - The Den of Wolves]] * Added additional information regarding Zuleika's ability to lift the Oath of the New Moon in [[Arc L - The Den of Wolves]] * Added additional information regarding a potential confrontation with Bianca at Lake Baratok in [[Arc L - The Den of Wolves]] * Noted that Argynvost's bones, other than his skull, were burned in [[Arc M - The Dragon's Manor]] * Changed Anton to be Dezdrelda's husband, rather than her brother, in [[Arc O - Dinner with the Devil]] * Fixed an unsolvable sliding puzzle layout in [[Arc O - Dinner with the Devil]] * Added NPC profiles for Escher and Sasha Ivliskova in [[Arc O - Dinner with the Devil]] * Added new information regarding Strahd's involvement with Sasha and Gertruda's request for aid in [[Arc O - Dinner with the Devil]] * Added new information should players attempt to explore the castle after entering the guest suite in [[Arc O - Dinner with the Devil]] * Reworked the fourth floor of Varushka's nightmare in [[Arc O - Dinner with the Devil]] * Reduced Varushka's Challenge Rating to 8 in both phases in [[Arc O - Dinner with the Devil]] * Fixed assorted typos & inconsistencies ## Hotfix 2.0.7.7 (Apr. 28, 2024) * Added new rebalancing details for the flesh mound in [[Arc A - Escape From Death House]] ## Hotfix 2.0.7.6 (Apr. 27, 2024) * Removed legacy text from the third level of Varushka's Nightmare in [[Arc O - Dinner with the Devil]] ## Hotfix 2.0.7.5 (Apr. 23, 2024) * Added the drawbridge closing at the end of [[Arc O - Dinner with the Devil]] ## Hotfix 2.0.7.4 (Apr. 22, 2024) * Removed an error referring to three trapdoors instead of one in [[Arc O - Dinner with the Devil]] ## Hotfix 2.0.7.3 (Apr. 21, 2024) * Added a preliminary Strength saving throw to the Flesh Mound's **engulf** in [[Arc A - Escape From Death House]] * Changed the Flesh Mound's engulf to an action and added a new **rupture*** bonus action to the mound's first phase in [[Arc A - Escape From Death House]] * Clarified the removal of the vials of alchemist's fire from Ezmerelda's wagon in [[Arc E - The Missing Vistana]] ## Hotfix 2.0.7.2 (Apr. 15, 2024) * Rolled back an unfinished/discarded rework of the old Watchtower in [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc C - Into the Valley]] * Added artwork of Vladimir Horngaard in [[Arc M - The Dragon's Manor]] ## Hotfix 2.0.7.1 (Apr. 12, 2024) * Increased the XP earned for defeating Izek in [[Arc F - Lady Wachter's Wish]] and/or [[Arc G - The Strazni Siblings]] * Clarified Ismark the Great's statblock in [[Arc O - Dinner with the Devil]] * Clarified spell slot and other resource mechanics in the Nightmare in [[Arc O - Dinner with the Devil]] * Modified Zorya's breath weapon to deal full damage to ghosts in [[Arc M - The Dragon's Manor]] * Expanded the triggers that cause a *silverthorn collar* to deal damage in [[Arc L - The Den of Wolves]] * Fixed assorted typos and inconsistencies # Version 2.0.7 (Apr. 12, 2024) **General Changes** * Added [[Arc O - Dinner with the Devil]] * Fixed assorted typos & inconsistencies * Removed [[Arc D - The Tome of Strahd]] and relocated the deprecated file to the Appendices * Removed references to [[Arc D - The Tome of Strahd]] * Added in-line artist credits and Patreon links for splash art illustrator [Caleb Cleveland](https://www.patreon.com/calebisdrawing). [[A DM's Guide to Curse of Strahd|Introduction]] * Added About the Author box with contact information * Added projected completion date and Google Forms feedback form to Under Construction box * Updated Acknowledgments [[Lore of Barovia]] * Removed reference to devil worship by Lady Wachter's cult [[History of Barovia]] * Added additional backstory to Khazan, the Radanavich family, and Rudolph van Ricten's revenge against the Radanaviches. [[Strahd von Zarovich]] * Gave Strahd Insight proficiency * Clarified ***fog bank*** does not block sunlight [[Running the Adventure]] * Removed the Wachter **cultist** from the list of Strahd's spies [[Act I Summary]], [[Act II Summary]], [[Act III Summary]] * Added specific dates and timelines [[Arc A - Escape From Death House]] * Added Drasha as the author of the dungeon logbook * Removed the **mimic**, the *Your Life* book, and Gustav's rock collection * Modified the mechanics of the *amber shard* * Strengthened the **flesh mound** and added additional dynamic mechanics * Modified **shadow** damage resistances [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc B - Welcome to Barovia]] * Gave Doru vampire lore to share [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc C - Into the Valley]] * Made Eva's request regarding Arabelle more urgent and enticing * Added additional information about werewolf lycanthropy * Added box notifying DMs regarding absence of random encounters * Clarified the skeletal rider's destination [[Arc D - St. Andral's Feast]] * Relettered arc to compensate for removal of [[Arc D - The Tome of Strahd]] * Added mark on coffin shop floor from teleportation brazier * Expedited Volenta's escape * Gave Volenta a means to escape grapples * Added information regarding players who visit the church their first night in Vallaki * Clarified Milivoj's age [[Arc E - The Missing Vistana]] * Relettered arc to compensate for removal of [[Arc D - The Tome of Strahd]] * Clarified the identities of the Vistani in the tent * Placed Ezmerelda's more precious equipment in a false bottom inside her trunk * Added information about Ezmerelda's chicken * Added a crib to Khazan's tower * Transferred *speak with dead* role to players in Arrigal confrontation * Reworked **gargoyle** balance and mechanics * Added travel times * Clarified Victor's morale and relationships in his NPC profile [[Arc F - Lady Wachter's Wish]] * Relettered arc to compensate for removal of [[Arc D - The Tome of Strahd]] * Added information regarding Izek catching the players [[Arc G - The Strazni Siblings]] * Relettered arc to compensate for removal of [[Arc D - The Tome of Strahd]] * Clarified player XP if Ireena is kidnapped and rescued [[Arc H - The Lost Soul]] * Relettered arc to compensate for removal of [[Arc D - The Tome of Strahd]] * Added NPC profile for Stella * Added information regarding the refugees' relocation after Lady Wachter becomes burgomaster * Removed **gallows speaker** damage resistances and increased hit points to compensate * Added information regarding **phase spiders** to *Ethereal Entities* * Changed the hags to act on separate initiatives * Clarified the hags' lair actions are centered on the windmill * Added the hags' ***claw*** attack to their statblock [[Arc I - The Walls of Krezk]] * Relettered arc to compensate for removal of [[Arc D - The Tome of Strahd]] * Added NPC profile for Baron Dmitri Krezkov * Added travel times [[Arc J - The Stolen Gem]] * Relettered arc to compensate for removal of [[Arc D - The Tome of Strahd]] * Clarified that Ludmilla's *contingency* spell can't be countered * Changed Strahd to instruct the players to meet him at the entrance to the stone circle * Removed the *figurine of wondrous power (raven)* * Reorganized Yester Hill sections for readability * Removed druids' ability to take bonus actions and reactions while performing the ritual to summon Wintersplinter * Clarified the topography of Ludmilla's shroud of mist * Replaced Silvia's staff with a wand * Reworked the mechanics for the wall of roots * Added reference to Muriel's blue feathers during her transformation * Added NPC profiles for Muriel and Ludmilla * Clarified the Martikovs' knowledge of the Huntress's monument * Reduced the range of the post-ritual lightning to 30 feet * Clarified and modified statue-climbing-related mechanics * Added callout box advising DMs to ask players about character dreams before running the Whispering Wall * Removed the collateral from Strahd's wager * Added Kavan's response if asked about his epitaph * Replaced Svarog's wand with Kavan's spear as the key to Soldav * Revised the *twilight crest* for clarity * Pushed Muriel's arrival forward one day [[Arc K - The Fallen Abbey]] * Relettered arc to compensate for removal of [[Arc D - The Tome of Strahd]] * Clarified the limits of Markovia's knowledge during the seance * Modified the meaning of the Mists card in the seance * Made the post-seance visions automatic * Decreased the number of seance questions to 10 * Gave Ezmerelda the ability to use scrolls * Pushed Ezmerelda's return forward one day * Added reward for **Clovin's Treasure** quest [[Arc L - The Den of Wolves]] * Relettered arc to compensate for removal of [[Arc D - The Tome of Strahd]] * Added reassurances for players leaving Ilya behind pending completion of [[Arc P - Ravenloft Heist]] * Added additional warnings for parties that attempt to ambush Kiril before rescuing Emil * Changed Zuleika to give the players the *Holy Symbol of Ravenkind* subject to a time-delayed curse * Removed references to Ezmerelda's *clairvoyance* spell [[Arc M - The Dragon's Manor]] * Relettered arc to compensate for removal of [[Arc D - The Tome of Strahd]] * Added a key to the knights' quarters in the Dragon's Den * Reworked **phantom warrior** damage resistances * Added **phase spiders** to the Spiders' Ballroom * Added uses for phase spider venom * Clarified Minodora's speaking patterns * Added redundancy for Marek's challenge * Added movement to Vladimir's first phase reactions * Clarified that **phantom warriors** cannot attack through walls * Changed Godfrey to warn the players against notifying Vladimir of their conversation * Changed Godfrey to direct the players to the beacon in the event of a TPK * Added NPC profile for Vladimir # Hotfix 2.0.6.4 (Feb. 16, 2024) * Explicitly removed the RAW "living fire" from Argynvostholt's northeast guest room # Hotfix 2.0.6.3 (Feb. 4, 2024 * Delayed Izek's kidnapping of Ireena in [[Arc G - The Strazni Siblings]] to the players' fourth day in Vallaki; the Festival of the Blazing Sun in [[Arc G - The Strazni Siblings]] to the players' fifth day in Vallaki; and St. Andral's Feast in [[Arc D - St. Andral's Feast]] to the players' fifth day in Vallaki. * Locked Ezmerelda's wagon and reworked the trap protecting her wagon in [[Arc E - The Missing Vistana]] * Revised Ezmerelda's statistics in [[Arc K - The Fallen Abbey]] * Modified the Abbot's wrath in [[Arc K - The Fallen Abbey]] to punish the flesh golem while Vasilka watches, rather than punishing Vasilka * Added level markers for [[Arc J - The Stolen Gem]], [[Arc K - The Fallen Abbey]], [[Arc L - The Den of Wolves]], and [[Arc M - The Dragon's Manor]]. * Added footnotes referencing intentional homages/inspirations in [[Arc J - The Stolen Gem]] (Ludmilla's speech to Muriel) and [[Arc M - The Dragon's Manor]] (Brother Marek's speech to the players). # Hotfix 2.0.6.2 (Feb. 1, 2024) * Updated table of contents to include [[Arc L - The Den of Wolves]] and [[Arc M - The Dragon's Manor]]. * Added Muriel's relaying of Strahd's Tarokka reading from [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc C - Into the Valley]] at the end of [[Arc J - The Stolen Gem]] # Hotfix 2.0.6.1 (Jan. 31, 2024) * Delayed Ezmerelda's request to investigate the werewolf den in [[Arc L - The Den of Wolves]] to one day after she first meets the players in [[Arc K - The Fallen Abbey]] * Corrected the travel time from the Old Svalich Road to Argynvostholt in [[Arc M - The Dragon's Manor]] * Pushed the date of the dinner with Strahd one day forward in [[Arc O - Dinner with the Devil]] * Fixed assorted typos # Version 2.0.6 (Jan. 31, 2024) * Added [[Arc L - The Den of Wolves]] and [[Arc M - The Dragon's Manor]] * Added Campaign Contract in [[Session Zero]] * Added information regarding the Devourer and Strahd's intentions for Ireena to [[History of Barovia]] * Modified Izek's history such that he obtained the *amber shard* immediately prior to the **dire wolf** attack that took his arm in [[History of Barovia]] * Removed an excess skill proficiency from Ireena's sidekick statblock in [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc B - Welcome to Barovia]] * Added NPC profile for Morgantha in [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc C - Into the Valley]] * Added a justification for Father Petrovich's presence by the Blue Water Inn in [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc C - Into the Valley]] * Clarified the absence of real sunlight in Barovia during the fight with Volenta in [[Arc D - St. Andral's Feast]] * Transferred information regarding the *Tome of Strahd* from the deprecated [[Arc D - The Tome of Strahd]] to [[Arc H - The Lost Soul]] * Modified Rahadin's trial in [[Arc D - St. Andral's Feast]] to discourage players from attacking Rahadin * Removed Arabelle's wasting disease in [[Arc E - The Missing Vistana]] * Revised the exterior description of Wachterhaus in [[Arc F - Lady Wachter's Wish]] * Added information regarding Leo Dilisnya and the Tarokka reading for the *Tome of Strahd* to [[Arc F - Lady Wachter's Wish]] * Modified Victor's tactics during the fight with the hags in [[Arc H - The Lost Soul]] * Modified the names of the lambda spells cast by the coven in [[Arc H - The Lost Soul]] to avoid confusion with RAW spells. * Removed disadvantage on ranged attacks made by the **Ba'al Verzi Avenger** in [[Arc H - The Lost Soul]] * Clarified the tactics of the **gallows speaker** in [[Arc H - The Lost Soul]] * Clarified the behavior of the druids if alerted in [[Arc J - The Stolen Gem]] * Pushed back Baron Krezkov's invitation to stay at his family's home in [[Arc K - The Fallen Abbey]] until after the players have completed [[Arc J - The Stolen Gem]] * Added an NPC profile for Ezmerelda d'Avenir in [[Arc K - The Fallen Abbey]] * Changed the name of Anna Krezkova's ancestor in [[Arc K - The Fallen Abbey]] * Added [[Glossary # Hotfix 2.0.5.5 (Jan. 18, 2024) • Fixed assorted typos & inconsistencies • Clarified the location of the Sunsword and Tome of Strahd in [[Running the Adventure]] • Removed language in [[Arc D - St. Andral's Feast]] indicating Milivoj doesn't come into work on the morning the PCs arrive. • Gave Rahadin proficiency in Acrobatics, reduced the cost of his ***disarm*** reaction to 1 reaction, and modified Rahadin's **bleeding** status condition to be cured by magical healing • Defined "bloodied" in [[Arc H - The Lost Soul]] • Clarified the duration of the conversation with the gallows speaker in [[Arc H - The Lost Soul]] • Clarified the tactics of the gallows speaker in [[Arc H - The Lost Soul]] and increased its fly (hover) speed to 40 ft. • Revised the ***amphibious cacophony*** lair action in [[Arc H - The Lost Soul]] to force movement on the target's turn, rather than as a reaction. • Replaced Victor's decision to cast *fly* in battle against the hags in [[Arc H - The Lost Soul]] with a casting of *greater invisibility* • Clarified how the players can obtain Erasmus's knowledge of gallows speakers in [[Arc H - The Lost Soul]] • Clarified where the hag coven stands upon the players' return and the hags' sizes in [[Arc H - The Lost Soul]] • Revised the area description of the Whispering Wall in [[Arc J - The Stolen Gem]] • Added spell save DCs to the *twilight crest* in [[Arc J - The Stolen Gem]] • Gave Izek the ***indomitable*** feature (if Izek would be paralyzed or stunned, he is slowed instead.) • Clarified that two-phase bosses retain conditions in their second forms but excess damage doesn't carry over • Clarified the date(s) on which Rahadin delivers Strahd's dinner invitation in [[Arc O - Dinner with the Devil]] • Added art by artist [Caleb Cleveland](https://www.patreon.com/calebisdrawing/) for Ismark Kolyanovich, as well as the second-phase forms for Bella and Offalia # Hotfix 2.0.5.4 (Jan. 8, 2024) * Changed enemies with multiple reactions per round to lose only one reaction if they would lose their reactions and aren't incapacitated (e.g., if hit by *shocking grasp*) # Hotfix 2.0.5.3 (Jan. 3, 2024) * Added [Challenge Ratings 2.0](https://dragna.io/challenge-rated) encounter balancing information for smaller and larger parties. (Credit to @Cheese on the Patreon Discord.) * Added room codes to winery scenes in [[Arc J - The Stolen Gem]] * Fixed assorted typos # Hotfix 2.0.5.2 (Dec. 14, 2023) * Removed Ezmerelda's knowledge of Kiril Stoyanovich's real name and replaced it with a nickname # Hotfix 2.0.5.1 (Dec. 13, 2023) * Fixed assorted typos * Removed Muriel's reference to Kavan as "Blood-Drinker" in [[Arc J - The Stolen Gem]]. * Revised Strahd's wager at Yester Hill in [[Arc J - The Stolen Gem]] to use player-offered collateral, rather than the players' lives. * Removed information about embracing a werewolf's curse from Van Richten's manuscript in [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc C - Into the Valley]] # Version 2.0.5 (Dec. 13, 2023) **General Changes** * Changed unique monster spells to use in-line "lambda" spellcasting formatting * Added new artwork by artist Caleb Cleveland * Merged Act IV into Act III * Fixed assorted typos * Added [[Arc J - The Stolen Gem]], the first half of [[Arc K - The Fallen Abbey]], and the beginning of [[Arc O - Dinner with the Devil]]. **[[A DM's Guide to Curse of Strahd]]** * Clarified that monsters do not award XP * Clarified that RAW is inapplicable except where expressly incorporated **[[History of Barovia]]** * Added new lore regarding the Dreamer/Devourer * Modified Van Richten's history to restore his curse and Arturi Radanavich's curse and remove his time spent traveling with Arturi * Moved King Dostron's invasion to take place in Kavan's old age **[[Arc A - Escape From Death House]]** * Allowed Rose and Thorn to aid the players in bypassing Gustav * Made Waltz for Klara open the first half of the secret door in the library * Removed the deed from the chest in the secret room and moved the will to Gustav's desk in the library. **[[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc B - Welcome to Barovia]]** * Decreased Dalvan's tally marks to thirteen * Clarified the behavior of Dalvan's compass * Delayed the players' arrival in the village of Barovia to dusk * Added new descriptive text for the players' arrival in the village * Expanded the players' first meeting with Ismark and Mary, including an encounter with Bildrath * Changed Gertruda's intended destination from Castle Ravenloft to Vallaki * Added periscope peephole to Ismark and Ireena's door (for vampire detection) * Added excerpt from *Van Richten's Guide to Vampires* in the players' bedroom in the mansion * Allowed Ireena to attend Kolyan's funeral * Allowed Doru's fangs to retract upon passing the players' test * Clarified that Doru doesn't fight in self-defense * Clarified the point at which the players learn the identity of the vampire who bit Ireena **[[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc C - Into the Valley]]** * Rebalanced the **zombie plague spreader** to avoid nova turns * Removed Escher's scar * Revised the consequences for disrespect toward Strahd * Added a new sub-scene if a player challenges Strahd to a fight * Gave strix vulnerability to fire and reduced the size of a **greater strix** * Added new opportunities for Muriel to use her ***mimicry*** feature. * Added a new reading and location for the *Tome of Strahd* * Clarified Morgantha's response if the players attempt to enter her home * Added Morgantha's response if the players detect her fiendish nature * Clarified the locations of the wolves attacking the party * Clarified Muriel's destination upon entering Vallaki * Revised the Vallakian guards' test to "confirm" the players' freedom from lycanthropy * Revised the players' first night at the Blue Water Inn, including Rictavio's story * Added an additional scene with Rictavio on their first morning at the Blue Water Inn * Increased the milestone XP for the burgomaster's burial and arrival in Vallaki **[[Arc D - The Tome of Strahd]]** * Moved the Tome of Strahd to the possession of the **gallows speaker** Leo Dilisnya in the Ethereal Plane * Added an additional paragraph at the end of the *Tome of Strahd* **[[Arc D - St. Andral's Feast]]** * Added new scenes with Henrik and Milivoj when the players first arrive at St. Andral's Church * Added a new lore box detailing the theft of the bones * Changed Milivoj's knowledge of the bones to come from eavesdropping rather than asking Yeska * Clarified Ireena generally remains in the church from dusk until dawn * Changed Lucian to accompany the players to Milivoj's home * Clarified that breaking down Henrik's door doesn't wake Volenta up * Clarified how Volenta obtained her noisemaker trap * Added a new post-arc scene with Rahadin, Milivoj, and Henrik **[[Arc E - The Missing Vistana]]** * Reworked Rictavio's timeline to arrive on the morning of the players' arrival in Vallaki * Clarified what happens if the players attempt to track Arabelle from the site of her kidnapping * Removed Victor's decision to share information about Stella. * Added a broken stone monument to the Dreamer near Szoldar's shack. * Added Ezmerelda's metal leg to Zsolt's story * Clarified Van Richten can't see Erasmus's ghost * Truncated the text of Van Richten's journal entry * Added Arabelle's wasting sickness to provide a time limit **[[Arc F - Lady Wachter's Wish]]** * Added lore sidebar regarding Ezra * Clarified how Lady Wachter reacts if the players request tea before receiving an invitation * Clarified Izek retains the Poisoned condition upon changing forms * Clarified Lady Wachter allows the Vistani to enter the town * Added additional silver for weapons to Lady Wachter's reward **[[Arc G - The Strazni Siblings]]** * Added an Ireena visit to the Blue Water Inn the morning after IZek's attack * Clarified the Izek kidnaps Ireena while the players are away * Added an ending in which Izek hides Ireena in the wicker sun on the morning of the Festival of the Blazing Sun, allowing her to burn alive if the players don't rescue her * Added a reminder box regarding surprise mechanics in the fight with Izek * Gave Ireena a dagger to escape her bindings if rescued from the mansion * Reduced Izek's damage to match recalibrated numbers **[[Arc H - The Lost Soul]]** * Delayed the arc to trigger on the night of the first day after the players reach 5th level. * Changed Franz's nurse to be his sister and the caretaker for his children upon their return * Revised Franz's story to be more sympathetic. * Required Fiona to deactivate the protective circle to allow Victor to enter the Ethereal Plane **[[Arc I - The Walls of Krezk]]** * Added a scene in which the Abbot cures the players' lycanthropy by Krezk's blessed pool # Version 2.0.4 (Aug. 23, 2023) * Added [[Arc D - The Tome of Strahd]], [[Arc D - St. Andral's Feast]], [[Arc E - The Missing Vistana]], [[Arc F - Lady Wachter's Wish]], [[Arc G - The Strazni Siblings]], [[Arc H - The Lost Soul]], [[Arc I - The Walls of Krezk]], and the [[Amber Shards]] appendix * added all-new splash art by artist Caleb Cleveland * changed the name of Yaedrag to Soldav; changed the name of Elder Ormir and his wife Alathea to Elder Burebis and Deceba changed the Sunsword’s hilt to originally belong to a moonblade owned by dusk elf prince Erevan Lowenhart, whose spirit was sealed within * the hilt by Baba Lysaga to empower the new crystal blade * changed Rahadin to be Kasimir’s cousin-in-law and the son of Prince Erevan Lowenhart * shifted Strahd’s transition into his Tyrant phase to begin with the lighting of the beacon of Argynvostholt * changed the Barovian Relic representing Harmony to depict a three-pointed star * added numbers to \<h5> headers * removed Lancelot from Death House * removed the “One Must Die” sequence from Death House added additional clues to the flesh mound’s identity and role in Death House and added a new amber shard mechanic to weaken the flesh mound * and gain access to the basement * added a new letter in Elisabeth Durst’s jewelry box to clarify amber shard mechanic and ability to defeat the flesh mound * moved the key to Rose and Thorn’s room to the attic spare bedroom * reduced the number of ghouls in the Death House basement to three * replaced the skill challenge escape sequence from Death House with two social encounters as the players flee the house * removed the requirement that the players bury Walter’s remains * added a safe place for the players to take a long rest upon exiting Death House * modified Dalvan Olensky’s corpse * Parriwimple now tells the PCs that “Alanik” had a pet monkey * added new detour sequence for Ireena to take on the morning before leaving Barovia * delayed the players’ departure from Barovia until noon * added Ismark’s recommendation to use Tser Pool as a waypoint * added information about Dalvan Olensky’s reading to Tser Pool * clarified that the skeletal rider is Dalvan Olensky * added the date of the full moon plus additional information regarding the curse of lycanthropy in the werewolf encounter en route to Vallaki * added new werewolf statblock * moved the Tome of Strahd in Vallakovich mansion to Victor’s workroom * fixed assorted typos # Version 2.0.3 (Jul. 10, 2023) * Added [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc C - Into the Valley]] * Moved Van Richten’s weapon cache further southwest down the Old Svalich Road. * Added an “Ireena Joins the Party” sidebar presenting Ireena as a sidekick member of the party. * Moved the Huntress’s Forest Fane to Yester Hill and the Seeker’s Mountain Fane to Old Bonegrinder. * Added a fallback at the end of Death House in the event that the players fail the skill challenge. * Removed the Hooded One from the Tarokka reading options for the Sunsword. * Fixed Strahd’s statblock to limit his Father of the Night feature to humanoids. * Fixed a design note to clarify that the party’s final companions are expected to be Ezmerelda, Ireena, and Kasimir. * Added Strahd’s Espionage Tracker tothe end of the guide. * Updated the NPC appendix with new profiles. * Moved Van Richten’s birth three years earlier in the History of Barovia. * Expanded A New Generation in the History of Barovia with information regarding the backstories of Lady Fiona Wachter, Izek Strazni, and Baron Vargas Vallakovich. * Modified Ismark’s NPC Profile inspirations to reference Jon Snow and Faramir instead of Ned Stark and Boromir. * Updated citation superscripts to be hyperlinks and removed bibliographies. * Confirmed the XP earned for escaping Death House and burying Kolyan to be 400 XP each. * Fixed assorted typos and minor omissions. # Version 2.0.2 (Jun. 23, 2023) * Added [[Act I - Into the Mists/Arc B - Welcome to Barovia]] * Updated cover page font. * Revised and expanded the Strahd's Return segment in the History of Barovia, adding The Darkened Valley and The Wrath of Strahd as additional segments. * Moved the Inhabitants of Barovia section to a new appendix at the end of the guide. * Fixed a typo in A2. Death House that referenced the Barovian Relics hook instead of the Lost in the Mists hook. * Moved the Durst family portrait from the Upper Hall to the Main Hall and added Rose's yellow doll to the portrait. * Added a hidden invitation to the cloakroom in the Main Hall. * Added silver crossbow bolts and additional family memorabilia to the Den of Wolves. * Changed the behavior of the taxidermied wolves in the Den of Wolves to foreshadow Gustav's affair. * Added a new haunt to the entrance to the Dining Room. * Added additional hints regarding Gustav's affair to the Pantry, Servants' Room, and Conservatory. * Changed Kara's name to Klara to suit localized naming conventions. * Changed the Song for Elisabeth to the Waltz for Klara. * Added additional hints regarding Klara's pregnancy to the Library. * Converted the secret door in the Library to a two-part lock to prevent the players from learning of Elisabeth's cult before learning of Gustav's death in the Master Suite on the third floor. * Added a sidebar reminding readers of the Dungeon Master's Guide's Multiple Ability Checks rule. * Added additional clues regarding Walter's death and Klara's torture and mutilation to the Nursemaid's Suite. * Replaced Gustav's spirit in the Master Suite with a bloodstained kitchen knife. * Replaced the jewelry and amulet in Elisabeth's jewelry box with an amber shard, to be used as a destructible key to unlock the Hidden Room in the Library. * Added additional clues regarding Gustav's fate and the origins of the cult to the Spare Bedroom in the attic. * Updated the descriptive text of Elisabeth Durst's crypt. * Removed the silvered shortsword from the Well and Cultist Quarters in A2f. The Basement. * Fixed a typo in A2H. Escape From Death House that dealt damage to the Active Player instead of the entire party. * Modified Death House design notes to reflect new changes, and added a new design notes regarding the omission of Strahd's bottle of wine.