The Compendium

The purpose of this document is to provide Curse of Strahd DMs with a resource with updated and improved stat-blocks for all of the unique monsters and NPCs in the campaign, and also to consolidate the lore associated with these creatures into an easy to access location.

The Abbot

No creature in Barovia is older than the master of the Abbey of Saint Markovia in Krezk. This nameless holy figure, whom others call the Abbot, was drawn to the abbey after Saint Markovia died by Strahd's hand. He sought to restore the abbey after it fell to corruption, but was himself corrupted.

Angel in Disguise. The Abbot is a deva that has lived for millennia. He typically assumes the form of a strikingly handsome human priest in his late twenties or early thirties. More than a hundred years ago, the deva was sent from the Upper Planes to honor the legacy of Saint Markovia. He reopened the abbey and began tending to the physically and mentally ill. In so doing, he hoped to bring some much-needed light to Barovia. His efforts worked for a while, but then the Dark Powers began to corrupt him.

Imperfections. The Abbot's fall from grace started when the Belviews—a family of sickly, inbred lepers—came to the abbey seeking salvation. The deva rid them of their diseases, an act for which they were eternally grateful, but could not cure them of certain human defects that had been present since birth. The Abbot became consumed with a prideful, obsessive desire to rid the poor Belviews of their lingering imperfections. The Belview family, however, had strange ideas of what it meant to be perfect. They didn't want to be ordinary humans. They wanted the eyes of a cat, wings to fly like a bat, the strength of a mule, and the guile of a snake. In short, they craved bestial traits, and the Abbot, taking pity on them, yielded to their mad desires.

Enter Vasili von Holtz. The Abbot's early experiments proved fatal to their subjects, but the Belviews insisted that he keep trying. One day, a Barovian lord named Vasili von Holtz visited the abbey. The Abbot knew at once that the man was evil, but von Holtz stressed that he only wanted to help. He furnished the Abbot with forbidden lore plucked from the Amber Temple (chapter 14), then helped the Abbot transform the Belviews into mongrelfolk—maniacal humans with bestial deformities and traits. The Belviews were happy, albeit insane. Only then did von Holtz reveal himself to be Strahd von Zarovich.

A Bride for Strahd. Strahd confided in the Abbot, lamenting his curse and telling the deva that he wished nothing more than to escape Barovia. His performance garnered the deva's sympathy, and the Abbot, playing into Strahd's hands, set for himself the goal of finding a cure for Strahd's "malady." The Abbot is now convinced that the cure lies in reuniting Strahd with his lost love and, in so doing, ending Barovia's curse. The Abbot has recently completed work on a flesh golem bride made from the body parts of dead women. While the Belviews languish in the abbey's madhouse, the Abbot is giving his creation lessons in etiquette and ladylike conduct so that "she" can be formally presented to Strahd and win his love.

Strahd has no interest in a flesh golem bride, but he enjoys corrupting this once angelic being and driving the Abbot to commit further acts of depravity.

Anastrasya Karelova

Anastrasya was a noblewoman of Vallaki that hosted parties in honor of Strahd. She was ruthless with any that she thought were traitorous to the Lord of Barovia, even though she had never seen him and knew of his terrible reputation. She was a woman of extraordinary beauty and had no doubt that if she could only meet the count, he would deem her worthy as a bride, not realizing he was truly a vampire.

At one of her grand parties, she met a beautiful woman named Ludmilla, who claimed to be an agent of the count. She informed Anastrasya that the count wanted to dine with her at Castle Ravenloft, an invitation she hastily accepted.

Once at the castle, Ludmilla gave Anastrasya a tour, gaining some pleasure in the prospect that the beautiful noblewoman would be terrified by the sights of Castle Ravenloft. Much to her surprise, Anastrasya was enamored with the macabre and evil displays of Strahd’s power.

Strahd took to her immediately, and even though it meant his waning interest in Ludmilla faded even faster, he appreciated his elder bride’s foresight to find him such a beautiful new consort.

Anastrasya is the most powerful at the vampiric arts, wielding the ability to shapechange and assume mist form, which none of Stahd's other consorts or spawn can manage.

Baba Lysaga

Two women gave life to Strahd von Zarovich. The first was Queen Ravenovia van Roeyen, Strahd's biological mother. The second was the queen's midwife, a devout follower of Mother Night named Baba Lysaga. Although it was the former who raised Strahd and enabled him to follow in his father's footsteps, it was the latter who sensed a potential for greatness and darkness in Strahd surpassing that of any other mortal. Lysaga believed then, as she believes now, that she is Strahd's true mother.

Baba Lysaga

Medium humanoid (human shapeshifter), chaotic evil

---

• Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 120 (16d8 + 48; bloodied 60)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
+4	+0	+3	+5	+3	+1

---

• Saving Throws Wis +7
• Skills Arcana +13, Religion +13
• Senses passive Perception 13
• Languages Abyssal, Common, Draconic, Dwarvish, Giant
• Challenge 11 (7,200 XP)                     Proficiency +4

---

• Shapechanger. Baba Lysaga can use an action to polymorph into a swarm of insects (flies), or back into her true form. While in swarm form, she has a walking speed of 5 feet and a flying speed of 30 feet. Anything she is wearing transforms with her, but nothing she is carrying does.

• Blessing of Mother Night. Baba Lysaga is shielded against divination magic, as though protected by a nondetection spell.

• Spellcasting. Baba Lysaga is a 16th level spellcaster. Her spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 17, +9 to hit with spell attacks). She has the following wizard spells prepared:

• Cantrips (at will): acid splash, fire bolt, light, mage hand, prestidigitation

• 1st-level (4 slots): detect magic, magic missile, shield, witch bolt

• 2nd-level (3 slots): crown of madness, enlarge/reduce, misty step

• 3rd-level (3 slots): dispel magic, fireball, lightning bolt

• 4th-level (3 slots): blight, Evard’s black tentacles, polymorph

• 5th-level (2 slots): cloudkill, geas, scrying

• 6th-level (1 slot): programmed illusion, true seeing

• 7th-level (1 slot): finger of death, mirage arcane

• 8th-level (1 slot): power word stun

---

Actions

Multiattack. Baba Lysaga makes three attacks with her quarterstaff.

Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6+4) bludgeoning damage, or 8 (1d8+4) bludgeoning damage if wielded with two hands.

Summon Swarm of Insects (Recharges after a short or long rest). Baba Lysaga summons 1d4 swarms of insects. A summoned swarm appears in an unoccupied space within 60 feet of her and acts as her ally. It remains until it dies or until she dismisses it as an action.

Fireball (3rd-Level; V, S, M). Fire streaks from Baba Lysaga to a point within 120 feet and explodes in a 20-foot radius, spreading around corners. Each creature in the area makes a DC17 Dexterity saving throw, taking 21 (6d6) fire damage on a failed save or half damage on a success.

Lightning Bolt (3rd-Level; V, S, M). A bolt of lightning 5 feet wide and 100 feet long arcs from Baba Lysaga. Each creature in the area makes a DC17 Dexterity saving throw, taking 28 (8d6) lightning damage on a failure, or half damage on a success.

Blight (4th-Level; V, S). Baba Lysaga targets a living creature or plant within 30 feet, draining moisture and vitality from it. The target makes a DC17 Constitution saving throw, taking 36 (8d8) necrotic damage on a failure or half damage on a success. Plant creatures have disadvantage on their saving throw and take maximum damage. A nonmagical plant dies.

Cloudkill (5th-level; V, S Concentration up to 10 minutes). Baba Lysaga creates a 20-foot radius sphere of poisonous, yellow-green fog centered on a point that she chooses within 120 feet. The fog spreads around corners and lasts for the duration, or until a strong wind disperses the fog, ending the spell. Its area is heavily obscured. When a creature enters the spell’s area for the first time on a turn, or starts its turn there, that creature must make a Constitution saving throw (DC17), taking 22 (5d8) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The fog moves 10 feet away from her at the start of each of her turns.

Finger of Death (7th-level; V, S). Baba Lysaga sends negative energy coursing through a creature that she can see within 60 feet. The target must take a Constitution saving throw (DC17). It takes 62 (7d8 + 30) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A humanoid killed by this spell rises at the start of her next turn as a zombie that is permanently under her command, following her verbal orders to the best of its ability.

Power Word Stun (8th-Level; V). Baba Lysaga speaks a word of power that can overwhelm the mind of one creature she can see within range (60 ft.), leaving it dumbfounded. If the target has 150 hit points or fewer, it is stunned. Otherwise, the spell has no effect. The stunned creature may make a Constitution saving throw (DC17) at the end of each of its turns. On a successful save, this stunning effect ends.

---

Bonus Action

Misty Step (2nd-level; V). Briefly surrounded by a silvery mist, Baba Lysaga teleports up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space that she can see.

---

Reaction

Shield (1st-Level; V, S). When Baba Lysaga is hit by an attack or targeted by magic missile, it gains a +5 bonus to AC (including against the triggering attack) and immunity to magic missile.

Baba Lysaga's Creeping Hut

Gargantuan construct, unaligned

---

• Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 263 (17d20+85)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
+8	-2	+5	-5	-4	-4

---

• Saving Throws Con +9
• Damage Immunities poison, psychic
• Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, prone
• Senses blindsight 120 ft. (blind beyond this radius), passive Perception 6
• Languages --
• Challenge 11 (7,200 XP)                     Proficiency +4

---

• Antimagic Susceptibility The hut is incapacitated while the magic gem that animates it is in the area of an antimagic field. If targeted by dispel magic, the hut must succeed on a Constitution saving throw against the caster's spell save DC or fall unconscious for 1 minute.
• Siege Monster The hut deals double damage to objects and structures.

---

Actions

Multiattack. The hut makes three attacks with its roots. It can replace one of the these attacks with a rock attack.

Root. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 60 ft., one target. Hit: 30 (4d10+8) bludgeoning damage

Rock. Ranged Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 120 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d8+8) bludgeoning damage

Baba Lysaga's Creeping Hut

Baba Lysaga built a hut atop the rotting stump of a giant tree that was felled long ago. It was only after she embedded a magic gemstone in the hut that the whole thing was imbued with a semblance of life. When she wills it to do so, the hut pulls its gigantic roots free of the earth and shambles around like a spidery behemoth, shaking the ground with every step. The hut attacks with its flailing and stomping roots. It can also use its roots to fling large rocks.

The hut is a ponderous construct that heeds Baba Lysaga's instructions and no one else's. It fights until destroyed or until the gemstone that animates it is removed or destroyed. Baba Lysaga does everything she can to keep the characters from obtaining the gemstone, without which the hut is incapacitated.

Barovian Witches

The mad women and men known as Barovian witches forge pacts with Strahd and the Dark Powers of Ravenloft in exchange for magic and longevity. They prefer to live in the shadows and can see in the dark. When traveling in the open, they use alter self spells to assume less conspicuous forms. They also use these spells to grow long, sharp claws with which they can attack.

Brothers and Sisters of Strahd. Barovian witches have no scruples. They will deal with anyone in return for power. They will also betray anyone for the same reason. The only thing they fear is Strahd, and his wish is their command. Barovian witches sometimes refer to themselves as the brothers and sisters of Strahd, though never to Strahd's face.

Pack Rats with Cats. Barovian witches are obsessive collectors, each believing that almost anything found—a piece of broken bone, a dead rodent, a handful of dust, or some other worthless item or substance—could be valuable or useful as a spell component, a ritual object, or a potion ingredient.

Barovian witches use the find familiar spell to call forth familiars. They are particularly fond of cats, though snakes and toads are also common. These animals lurk amid the clutter of the witches' lairs, seldom wandering far from their vile masters.

Emil Toranescu

Emil Toranescu, can be found as a prisoner in the dungeon of Castle Ravenloft. He claims to be a resident of Vallaki who was chased by dire wolves to the castle. He begs the characters to rescue him, offering to help them in exchange. However, he is, in fact, a werewolf who was imprisoned by Strahd for instigating a schism within his pack.

Anxious to prove his worth to Strahd, Emil rewards the characters for freeing him by attacking them when a good opportunity arises. Emil doesn't turn against the characters if they claim to be allies of his wife, Zuleika. In that case, he tries to leave the castle and reunite with her, staying with the characters only until an opportunity to leave presents itself.

West of Lake Baratok is a cave complex that the werewolves of Barovia use as a den. Recently, Emil challenged the pack's leader, Kiril Stoyanovich, by questioning his treatment of children kidnapped by the pack.

Kiril would arm the children with weapons and force them to fight each other to the death until only one child was left standing. The winner would then be turned into a werewolf, ensuring what Kiril called "the strength and purity of the pack." Emil advocated keeping all the children alive and turning them into werewolves, thus increasing the pack's size. Emil believed that a larger pack would ensure the werewolves' survival, whereas Kiril saw a larger pack as too difficult to control and feed.

This ideological divide couldn't be reconciled and led to many disagreements. The other werewolves were split between the two camps, and it seemed likely that either Kiril or Emil would die before the conflict could be resolved.

Then Kiril disappeared for several days, causing the other werewolves to wonder whether he had fled or had been quietly disposed of by Emil and his allies. When Kiril returned, he was accompanied by a pack of several dozen dire wolves loyal to Strahd, and he brought word from Castle Ravenloft that Strahd was not pleased with Emil's attempt to fracture the pack. The dire wolves took Emil back to Castle Ravenloft to face punishment, and he was locked in the dungeon.

Emil's mate, Zuleika Toranescu assumes that her husband has been killed and she blames Kiril above all.

If Emil Toranescu manages to return to the the werewolf den, he is determined to kill his rival and become the new pack leader. If he succeeds, and the heroes are present for the confrontation, he allows the characters to leave the den unmolested but refuses to release the kidnapped children unless Zuleika is present to convince him otherwise (because she fears that the characters might kill her husband if he doesn't let the children go).

Exethanter

Medium undead, lawful evil

---

• Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 99 (18d8+18; bloodied 50)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
+0	+3	+3	+5	+2	+3

---

• Saving Throws Con +10, Int +12, Wis +9
• Skills Arcana +19, History +12, Insight +9, Perception +9
• Damage Resistance cold, lightning, necrotic
• Damage Immunities poison; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, poisoned
• Senses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 19
• Languages Abyssal, Common, Draconic, Dwarvish, Elvish, Giant
• Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)                     Proficiency +7

---

• Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the lich fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

• Rejuvination. If it has a phyactery, a destroyed lich gains a new body in 1d10 days, regaining all its hit points and becoming active again. The new body appears within 5 feet of the phylactery.

• Spellcasting. Exethanter is an 18th level spellcaster. His spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 20, +12 to hit with spell attacks). He has the following wizard spells prepared:

• Cantrips (at will): mage hand, prestidigitation, ray of frost

• Turn Resistance. Exethanter has advantage on saving throws against any effect that turns undead.

---

Actions

Multiattack. Exethanter makes three attacks with his Arcane Burst.

Arcane Burst. Melee or Ranged Spell Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5ft. or range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 27 (4d10+5) necrotic damage.

Paralyzing Touch. Melee Spell Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5ft., one creature. Hit: 10 (3d6) cold damage. The target must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Ezmerelda d'Avenir

Ezmerelda d'Avenir, a Vistana, is the protégé of Rudolph van Richten—despite the fact that her first encounter with the vampire hunter was anything but pleasant.

Witness to Tragedy. When Ezmerelda was a little girl, her family kidnapped van Richten's teenage son, Erasmus, and delivered him into the clutches of a vampire. Even today, years later, she can still hear Erasmus's pleas for mercy. That event haunted her childhood.

Van Richten tracked down Ezmerelda's family soon after the kidnapping, but not before the Vistani had sold the boy. Though van Richten could have done them harm, he instead interrogated Ezmerelda's mother and father on the whereabouts of his missing son. Satisfied with their answers, he spared their lives before departing with the information they had given him. Ezmerelda witnessed van Richten's act of mercy and was deeply moved by it.

Van Richten's Tragic Tale. At the age of fifteen, Ezmerelda, still troubled by what her family had done to van Richten, ran away from home. After many harrowing adventures, she tracked down van Richten two years later. Thinking she was a Vistana assassin, he put a sword to her throat and threatened to spill her blood. Ezmerelda convinced him that she genuinely wanted to help him find his missing son, whereupon van Richten told her the saddest of tales. He had found his son, who had been transformed into a vampire spawn. When Erasmus pleaded to his father for salvation, van Richten granted his request by ending his existence.

Farewell. Ezmerelda remained by van Richten's side for two years, helping him track down and slay many creatures of the night. But because van Richten could never bring himself to fully trust a Vistana, he kept secrets from her. The two vampire hunters got on each other's nerves, and their arguments became more frequent. At last, Ezmerelda suggested that they part company with some shred of their friendship still intact, and van Richten agreed.

Ezmerelda's Prosthetic. Since bidding farewell to van Richten, Ezmerelda has amassed a sizable personal fortune, some of which she used to buy a wagon to carry her vampire-slaying paraphernalia. On one of her less successful adventures, a werewolf bit off her right leg below the knee, and although she avoided being afflicted with lycanthropy, Ezmerelda was sidelined for months. She commissioned a master artisan to craft a prosthetic lower leg and foot. After several tries, he delivered a prosthesis that restored her mobility. She has since adapted well to the false appendage.

The Great Vampire Hunt. While in the company of a Vistani caravan, Ezmerelda heard a rumor that Rudolph van Richten had gone to Barovia to slay the most powerful vampire of them all. She decided that he might need help and traveled for months to reach Strahd's domain. She rode her wagon to Vallaki and learned about an old tower that seemed the sort of place van Richten would use as a base. When she arrived there, she found some of van Richten's belongings, but of the vampire hunter there was no sign. Although she is anxious to learn the whereabouts of her mentor, she is also eager to earn his trust and respect. To that end, she has been poring over van Richten's research and learning about Strahd and Castle Ravenloft, with every intention of dispatching the vampire herself.

Sir Godfrey Gwilym

Medium undead, lawful evil

---

• Armor Class 13 (broken chainmail armor)
• Hit Points 136 (16d8+64; bloodied 68)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
+4	+2	+4	+1	+3	+4

---

• Saving Throws Str +7, Con +7, Wis +6, Cha +7
• Damage Resistances necrotic, psychic
• Damage Immunities poison
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, poisoned, stunned
• Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
• Languages Common, Draconic
• Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)                     Proficiency +3

---

Fearsome Pursuit. Sir Godfrey can spend 1 minute focusing on Strahd von Zarovich and afterward knows the distance and direction to him.

Magic Resistance. Sir Godfrey has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Rapid Recovery. If Sir Godfrey goes 1 minute without taking damage, he regains all of his missing hit points.

Relentless. When Sir Godfrey is reduced to 0 hit points, his body turns to dust. One minute later, his spirit inhabits a recently-dead humanoid corpse of his choice in Barovia, regaining all of his hit points.

---

Actions

Multiattack. Sir Godfrey makes two attacks with his Longsword.

Longsword. * Melee Weapon Attack:* +7 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d10+4) slashing damage. Against Strahd, Sir Godfrey deals an extra 14 (4d6) slashing damage.

Burning Hatred (Recharge 4-6). Sir Godfrey targets Strahd von Zarovich, if he is within 30 feet. Strahd makes a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, Strahd takes 14 (4d6) psychic damage and is paralyzed until the end of his next turn. On a success, Strahd takes half damage and is merely frightened until the end of his next turn.

Spellcasting. Sir Godfrey casts one of the following spells, using Wisdom as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 15, +7 to hit with spell attacks).

At will: detect magic
3/day each: aid, command, divine favor, magic weapon, thunderous smite
2/day each: blinding smite, branding smite, dispel magic
1/day each: aura of purity, staggering smite

Guardian Portrait

Medium construct, unaligned

---

• Armor Class 5 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 22 (5d8)
• Speed 0 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
-5	-5	+0	+2	+0	+0

---

• Damage Immunities poison
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained
• Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
• Languages Common, Elvish
• Challenge 1 (200 XP)                     Proficiency +2

---

• Antimagic Susceptibility. The portrait is incapacitated while in the area of an antimagic field. If targeted by dispel magic, the portrait must succeed on a Constitution saving throw against the caster's spell save DC or become unconscious for 1 minute.

• Constructed Nature. An animated object doesn't require air, food, drink, or sleep. The magic that animates an object is dispelled when the construct drops to 0 hit points. An animated object reduced to 0 hit points becomes inanimate and is too damaged to be of much use or value to anyone.

• False Appearance. If the guardian portrait remains motionless at the start of combat, it has advantage on its initiative roll. Moreover, if a creature has not observed the guardian portrait act, that creature must succeed on a DC 18 Intelligence (Investigation) check to discern that the guardian portrait is not a mundane painting.

---

Actions

Spellcasting. The guardian portrait casts one of the following spells, using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 12, +4 to hit with spell attacks):

3/day each: counterspell, crown of madness, hypnotic pattern, telekinesis

Guardian Portrait

A guardian portrait looks like a finely rendered and beautifully framed work of art, usually depicting someone important in a realistic manner. The picture and its frame are bound with powerful magic and are inseparable.

Living Image. The eyes of the figure depicted in the painting are imbued with darkvision, and they appear to follow creatures that move in front of them.

Innate Spells. When a guardian portrait attacks, the figure in the painting animates and moves as though alive (albeit in two dimensions). The guardian portrait has no effective melee attacks, but it has a repertoire of innate spells that it can cast. When it casts a spell, the figure painted on the canvas makes all the appropriate somatic gestures and verbal incantations for the spell; no material components are required.

Roleplaying Lady Wachter

Use the following information to roleplay Lady Wachter, her family, and her associates.

Lady of the House. Lady Fiona Wachter makes no secret of her family's long-standing loyalty to the von Zarovich line. She believes that Strahd von Zarovich is no tyrant but, at worst, a negligent landlord. She would happily serve Strahd as burgomaster of Vallaki, but she knows that Baron Vargas Vallakovich won't give up his birthright without a fight.

Fiona conspired to wed her young daughter, Stella, to the baron's son, Victor, as part of a plot to gain a foothold in the baron's mansion, but Stella found Victor to be demented, and he showed no interest in Stella whatsoever. In fact, he spoke such unkind words to Stella that she went mad, and Fiona had to lock her daughter away.

Lady Wachter's latest scheme to gain control of Vallaki is far more diabolical. She has started a cult based on devil worship and has written a manifesto that she reads to her "book club," which is made up of the most fanatical group members. Inspired by her words, these zealots have created smaller cults of their own. Once her cult has enough members, Fiona plans to take the town by force. To reward her most loyal followers, she has her pet imp stand invisibly in the center of a pentagram, then performs a false ritual that calls upon "princes of darkness" to lavish their appreciation upon the cultists. The imp then sprinkles onto the floor a few electrum coins, which Lady Wachter allows the cultists to keep.

Another secret of Fiona's is that she sleeps with the corpse of her dead husband, Nikolai, who died of sickness nearly three years ago and whom Fiona cherished. Lady Wachter casts gentle repose spells on the corpse to keep it from deteriorating.

If the characters come to Wachterhaus looking for help to overthrow the burgomaster, Lady Wachter is all ears and suggests they start by killing the baron's evil henchman, Izek Strazni. She's happy to take care of the rest. If they come looking for a way to defeat Strahd, Lady Wachter turns them away, stating in no uncertain terms that she is not, nor ever will be, Strahd's enemy.

Fiona's Sons. Fiona sees a lot of her husband in her sons, Nikolai and Karl, who have grown into young men with a fondness for wine and trouble. They aren't home during the day, because they don't like attending to their mother or listening to her tiresome prattle. The characters might encounter them at the Blue Water Inn or wandering about town. The brothers are home most nights, passed out in their beds after hours of heavy drinking.

Nikolai and Karl have none of their mother's ambition or mean temper. They are aware of her cult, but they don't know that she sleeps with their dead father. This would be unwelcome news and probably turn them against their mother. They want only to spend their mother's money and make the most of their miserable situation, trapped as they are within the walls of Vallaki under the control of Strahd and his puppet, the baron.

Fiona's Spy. Fiona employs a money-grubbing spy named Ernst Larnak to keep her informed about everything that happens in town. Ernst knows Lady Wachter's secrets, and he would blackmail her in a heartbeat if their relationship went sour.

Kasimir Velikov

Medium humanoid (dusk elf), neutral

---

• Armor Class 12 (15 with mage armor)
• Hit Points 67 (9d8 + 27; bloodied 33)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
+0	+2	+3	+3	+1	+0

---

• Saving Throws Int +6, Wis +4
• Skills Arcana +6, History +6, Investigation +6, Perception +4
• Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
• Languages Common, Elvish, Draconic
• Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)                     Proficiency +3

---

• Fey Ancestry. Kasimir gains advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic cannot put him to sleep.
• Special Equipment. Kasimir is equipped with a ring of warmth.

---

Actions

Multiattack. Kasimir makes three Arcane Burst attacks.

Arcane Burst. Melee or Ranged Spell Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., or range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (3d10+3) force damage.

Spellcasting. Kasimir casts one of the following spells, using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks).

At will: light, mage hand, prestidigitation
2/day each: alter self, counterspell, fireball, mage armor, misty step, shield
1/day each: cone of cold, dimension door, greater invisibility

Kasimir Velikov

Kasimir Velikov is the leader of the dusk elves.

Kasimir confesses that he is burdened by dreams sent to him by his dead sister, Patrina Velikovna, whose spirit has languished in the catacombs below Castle Ravenloft for centuries. Kasimir believes that Patrina has repented for her many sins, and he yearns not only to free her but also to restore her to life.

If the characters seem intent on destroying Strahd, Kasimir tells them about the Amber Temple. Without divulging too much of the dreams sent to him by Patrina, Kasimir informs the characters that the secret to breaking Strahd's pact and freeing Barovia from its curse might be hidden there. Kasimir doesn't know whether this claim is true or not, but he states it as a way of persuading the characters to accompany him to the temple; his main objective, he says, is to find something there that he can use to bring Patrina back from the dead.

Kiril Stoyanovich

West of Lake Baratok is a cave complex that the werewolves of Barovia use as a den. Characters who interrogate captured werewolves can learn the den's location. Most of the werewolf pack is out hunting when the characters first arrive, including the pack's leader, Kiril Stoyanovich.

The werewolves call themselves the Children of Mother Night, because they all worship that deity. Recently, a schism formed within the pack as the result of a challenge to Kiril's leadership. The rift began when another werewolf, Emil Toranescu, questioned the treatment of children kidnapped by the pack.

Kiril would arm the children with weapons and force them to fight each other to the death until only one child was left standing. The winner would then be turned into a werewolf, ensuring what Kiril called "the strength and purity of the pack." Emil advocated keeping all the children alive and turning them into werewolves, thus increasing the pack's size. Emil believed that a larger pack would ensure the werewolves' survival, whereas Kiril saw a larger pack as too difficult to control and feed.

This ideological divide couldn't be reconciled and led to many disagreements. The other werewolves were split between the two camps, and it seemed likely that either Kiril or Emil would die before the conflict could be resolved.

Then Kiril disappeared for several days, causing the other werewolves to wonder whether he had fled or had been quietly disposed of by Emil and his allies. When Kiril returned, he was accompanied by a pack of several dozen dire wolves loyal to Strahd, and he brought word from Castle Ravenloft that Strahd was not pleased with Emil's attempt to fracture the pack. The dire wolves took Emil back to Castle Ravenloft to face punishment, and he was never seen again.

Kiril reestablished his dominance, but his ideas and tactics didn't sit well with the pack's older members, and they certainly didn't please Emil's mate, Zuleika Toranescu. She knows she can't slay Kiril on her own, and after what happened to Emil, the rest of the pack is unwilling to challenge Kiril's authority and face Strahd's wrath. Kiril won't let Zuleika hunt, so she's more or less confined to the den.

Kiril's mate is Bianca, a werewolf with a white coat of fur in wolf form, and white hair in human form.

As long as Kiril lives, the characters can't negotiate with the werewolves. If Kiril dies and the characters have the upper hand, the pack is willing to negotiate with them.

Ludmilla Vilisevic

At nearly 200 years old, Ludmilla Vilisevic is Strahd’s oldest active bride. Where other consorts have been cast aside as Strahd grew tired of them, Ludmilla has survived by keeping to herself while tending to matters he deems important. She serves as the unofficial leader of his harem, and reins the others in when necessary.

Ludmilla first came to Barovia as a little girl, stowing away in a Vistani caravan that passed through her homeland. When she arrived in Barovia, she made a living by stealing and hiding in the shadows. It was only as a young woman that a kindly family in Vallaki found and adopted her.

Life with a family was better than life on the streets, but Ludmilla was still seen by most as an outsider – and, in some ways, an outcast. At the age of eighteen, Ludmilla fled Vallaki, following an ancient map that provided directions to the Amber Temple. There, she believed, she would find the answers and belonging she sought.

It was on the snow-covered slopes of Mount Ghakis that Ludmilla met the dusk elf, Rahadin, for the first time. Ludmilla was entranced by him; Rahadin saw her as a pleasurable and interesting distraction for his master. He offered to guide her to Castle Ravenloft, where he promised her a partner, a teacher, and a home.

For the next three years, Strahd taught her the secrets of the arcane arts alongside the minutiae of courtly etiquette. He fed upon her regularly, and was impressed by her stoic, yet thoughtful response to his hunger. Her intelligence and charisma were apparent, and Strahd soon offered her a position as his bride. She gladly accepted.

As a vampire, Ludmilla soon learned from Rahadin that Strahd would inevitably tire of her – unless, that is, she proved herself useful. She set about serving him in the advancement of his arcane studies, and personally took on the task of recruiting and training his next bride, Anastraya. She now carefully stays out of Strahd’s way unless he requests her presence directly, and has formed close ties to Rahadin.

Ludmilla is cautious, reserved, and cunning.

Madam Eva

The fortune-teller Madam Eva lives among the Vistani but isn't truly one of them. She appears to be in her seventies, but she is, in fact, much, much older.

Madam Eva is Strahd's half-sister, though Strahd is unaware of this fact. Her real name is Katarina, and she is the daughter of a Vistani woman whom King Barov, Strahd's father, took to his bed during one of his many crusades. Madam Eva knows she is Strahd's half-sister but has told no one of the royal blood flowing through her veins.

Over four hundred years ago, Katarina came to Barovia and insinuated herself into Strahd's court, working as a maid in Castle Ravenloft. She came to know the castle like the back of her hand, and she was present for the wedding of Sergei and Tatyana. After Strahd went mad and murdered his brother, she fled the castle and took refuge with the Vistani. Later, she forged a pact with the goddess Mother Night, trading her youth for the power to undo the evil that Strahd had wrought. Mother Night transformed Katarina into an ageless crone, gifted with the power of magical foresight. In the guise of Madam Eva, she uses this ability to help Strahd break his curse.

She can send her Vistani out in their wagons to visit other worlds and bring adventurers to Strahd's domain, in hopes that they will find a way to destroy the vampire or set him free. Over the centuries some few hearty bands of heroes have succeeded where so many dozens of others have failed. However, despite his destruction, Strahd has always, inexplicably, returned. The Dark Powers have no intention of giving him up. Madam Eva, just as stubbornly, refuses to give up on finding a way to release her half-brother from his eternal torment.

None of Madam Eva's Vistani kin know her true identity or purpose. They puzzle over her desire to remain in Barovia.

Madam Eva

Medium, Humanoid (Human)

---

• Armor Class 10
• Hit Points 88 (16d8+16; bloodied 44)
• Speed 20 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
-1	+0	+1	+3	+5	+4

---

• Saving Throws Con +5, Wis +9, Cha +8
• Skills Arcana +7, Deception +8, Insight +13, Intimidation +8, Perception +9, Religion +7
• Senses passive Perception 19
• Languages Abyssal, Common, Elvish, Infernal
• Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)                     Proficiency +4

---

• Spellcasting Madam Eva is a 16th level spellcaster. Her spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 17, +9 to hit with spell attacks).

She has the following cleric spells prepared:

• Cantrips (at will): light, mending, sacred flame, thaumaturgy,
• 1st-level (4 slots): bane, command, detect evil and good, protection from evil and good
• 2nd-level (3 slots): lesser restoration, protection from poison, spiritual weapon
• 3rd-level (3 slots): create food and water, speak with dead, spirit guardians
• 4th-level (3 slots): divination, freedom of movement, guardian of faith
• 5th-level (2 slots): greater restoration, raise dead
• 6th-level (1 slot): find the path, harm, true seeing
• 7th-level (1 slot): fire storm, regenerate
• 8th-level (1 slot): earthquake

---

Actions

Dagger. Melee Weapon: +4 to hit, Reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 2 (1d4) piercing damage

The Oracle - by Arman Akopian

Neferon (Arcanaloth)

Medium fiend, neutral evil

---

• Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 104 (16d8 + 32; bloodied 52)
• Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
+3	+1	+2	+5	+3	+3

---

• Saving Throws Dex +5, Int +9, Wis +7, Cha +7
• Skills Arcana +13, Deception +9, Insight +9, Perception +7
• Damage Resistances cold, fire, lightning; damage from non-magical, non-silvered weapons
• Damage Immunities acid, poison
• Senses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 17
• Languages all, telepathy 120 ft.
• Challenge 12 (8,400 XP)                     Proficiency +4

---

• Innate Spellcasting. Neferon’s innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 15). He can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At will: alter self, darkness, heat metal, invisibility (self only), magic missile

Magic Resistance. Neferon has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effect.

Spellcasting. Neferon is a 16th-level spellcaster. His spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 17, +9 to hit with spell attacks). He has the following wizard spells prepared:

Cantrips (at will): fire bolt, mage hand, minor illusion, prestidigitation
1st level (4 slots): detect magic, identify, shield, Tenser’s floating disk
2nd level (3 slots): detect thoughts, mirror image, phantasmal force, suggestion
3rd level (3 slots) counterspell, fear, fireball
4th level (3 slots) banishment, dimension door
5th level (2 slots) contact other plane, hold monster
6th level (1 slot) chain lightning
7th level (1 slot) finger of death
8th level (1 slot) mind blank

---

Actions

Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (2d4 + 3) slashing damage. The target must make a DC14 Constitution saving throw, taking 10 (3d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Teleport. Neferon magically teleports, along with any equipment he is wearing or carrying, up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space he can see.

Neferon's Spells

Chain Lightning (8th-Level; V, S, M). Neferon fires a bolt of electricity at one creature or object within 120 feet that deals 45 (10d8) lightning damage. Electricity then arcs to up to 5 additional targets that he chooses that are within 30 feet of the primary target.

Chain Lightning (6th-Level; V, S, M). Neferon fires a bolt of electricity at one creature or object within 120 feet that deals 45 (10d8) lightning damage. Electricity then arcs to up to 3 additional targets that he chooses that are within 30 feet of the primary target.

Finger of Death (7th-Level; V, S). Neferon points at one creature within 60 feet. Negative energy wracks the target and deals 62 (7d8 + 30) necrotic damage. A humanoid killed by this spell turns into a zombie at the start of his next turn. It is permanently under his control and follows his spoken commands.

Fireball (5th-Level; V, S, M). Fire streaks from Neferon to a point within 120 feet and explodes in a 20-foot radius, spreading around corners. Each creature in the area makes a DC17 Dexterity saving throw, taking 28 (8d6) fire damage on a failed save or half damage on a success.

Fireball (4th-Level; V, S, M). Fire streaks from Neferon to a point within 120 feet and explodes in a 20-foot radius, spreading around corners. Each creature in the area makes a DC17 Dexterity saving throw, taking 25 (7d6) fire damage on a failed save or half damage on a success.

Fireball (3rd-Level; V, S, M). Fire streaks from Neferon to a point within 120 feet and explodes in a 20-foot radius, spreading around corners. Each creature in the area makes a DC17 Dexterity saving throw, taking 21 (6d6) fire damage on a failed save or half damage on a success.

---

Reactions

Shield (1st-Level; V, S). When Neferon is hit by an attack or targeted by magic missile, she gains a +5 bonus to AC (including against the triggering attack) and immunity to magic missile. These benefits last until the start of its next turn.

Counterspell (3rd-Level; S). When Neferon sees a creature within 60 feet cast a spell, he may attempt to interrupt it. If the spell is 2nd-level or lower, it automatically fails and has no effect. If the creature is casting a spell of 3rd-level or higher, Neferon makes an Intelligence ability check (+5) against a DC of 10 + the spell’s level. On a success, the creature’s spell fails and has no effect, but the creature can use its reaction to reshape the fraying magic and cast another spell with the same casting time as the original. This new spell must be cast at a spell slot level equal to or less than half the original spell slot.

Patrina Velikovna (Banshee)

Medium undead, neutral evil

---

• Armor Class 13
• Hit Points 82 (15d8+15)
• Speed 0 ft., fly 50 ft. (hover)

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
-5	+3	+1	+1	+1	+4

---

• Saving Throws Wis +4, Cha +7
• Damage Resistances acid, fire, lightning, thunder, and damage from nonmagical attacks
• Damage Immunities cold, necrotic, poison
• Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained
• Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
• Languages Abyssal, Common, Draconic, Elvish, Giant
• Challenge 8 (3,900)                           Proficiency +3

---

• Detect Life. The banshee can magically sense the presence of living creatures up to 5 miles away that aren't undead or constructs. She knows the direction they're in but no their exact locations.

• Legendary Resistance (2/Day). If the banshee fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead.

• Incorporeal Movement. The banshee can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. She takes 5 (1d10) force damage if she ends her turn inside an object.

---

Actions

Multiattack. Patrina Velikovna uses Horrifying Visage. She then makes one Corrupting Touch attack.

Corrupting Touch. Melee Spell Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (3d6+3) necrotic damage and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of Patrina's next turn. While frightened in this way, the target is paralyzed.

Horrifying Visage. Each non-Undead creature within 60 feet of Patrina that can see her must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, with disadvantage if the banshee is within line of sight, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a target's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the target is immune to the banshee's Horrifying Visage for the next 24 hours.

Wail (1/Day). Patrina releases a mournful wail, provided that she isn't in sunlight. This wail has no effect on constructs or undead. All other creatures within 60 feet of her that can hear her must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or it drops to 0 hit points. On a success, a creature takes 17 (5d6) psychic damage.

Patrina Velikovna

In life, Patrina Velikovna was a dusk elf who, having learned a great deal about the black arts, was nearly a match for Strahd's powers. She felt a great bond with him and asked to solemnize that bond in a dark marriage. Drawn to her knowledge and power, Strahd consented, but before he could drain all life from Patrina, her own people stoned her to death in an act of mercy to thwart Strahd's plans. Strahd demanded, and got, Patrina's body. She then became the banshee trapped here.

Reducing the banshee to 0 hit points causes it to discorporate. Patrina's spirit can't rest, however, until she is formally wed to Strahd; the banshee re-forms in her crypt 24 hours later. Casting a hallow spell on the crypt prevents the banshee from returning for as long as the spell lasts.

Development. If she is restored to life by her brother, Patrina (NE female dusk elf) returns with no spells prepared. If the characters have her spellbook, she kindly asks them to give it back to her so that she can prepare her long-forgotten spells and help destroy Strahd (a lie). If the characters oblige, she repays their kindness by learning as much about them as possible before pursuing her own goals.

Phantom Warrior

Medium undead, any alignment

---

• Armor Class 16
• Hit Points 45 (6d8+18)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
+3	+0	+3	-1	+0	+2

---

• Skills Perception +2, Stealth +4
• Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
• Damage Immunities cold, necrotic, poison
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained
• Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
• Languages Common, Draconic
• Challenge 3 (700 XP)                     Proficiency +2

---

• Ethereal Sight. The phantom warrior can see 60 feet into the Ethereal Plane when it is on the Material Plane, and vice versa.

• Incorporeal Movement. The phantom warrior can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.

• Spectral Armor and Shield. The phantom warrior's AC accounts for its spectral armor and shield.

---

Actions

Multiattack. The phantom warrior makes two attacks with its Spectral Longsword.

Spectral Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8+3) force damage.

Etherealness. The phantom warrior enters the Ethereal Plane from the Material Plane, or vice versa. It is visible on the Material Plan while it is in the Border Ethereal, and vice versa, yet it can't affect or be affected by anything on the other plane.

Rahadin

Medium humanoid (elf), lawful evil

---

• Armor Class 20 (studded leather armor +2)
• Hit Points 135 (18d8 + 54; bloodied 68)
• Speed 35 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
+2	+6	+3	+2	+3	+4

---

• Saving Throws Con +9, Wis +9
• Skills Deception +10, Insight +9, Intimidation +10, Perception +9, Stealth +12
• Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 19
• Languages Common, Elvish
• Challenge 11 (7,200 XP)                     Proficiency +6

---

• Deathly Choir. Any creature within 10 feet of Rahadin that isn’t protected by a mind blank spell hears in its mind the screams of the thousands of people Rahadin has killed. As a bonus action, Rahadin can force all creatures that can hear the screams to make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw. Each creature takes 16 (3d10) psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

• Elfsight. Rahadin’s attack rolls ignore half cover, and an area being lightly obscured does not impose disadvantage on his ability checks. He does not have disadvantage when making ranged attacks with his Poisoned Darts at long range.

• Fey Ancestry. Rahadin gains advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic cannot put him to sleep.

• Preternatural Awareness. Rahadin gains a bonus to initiative rolls equal to his Wisdom modifier (+3) for a total of +9, including his Dexterity bonus.

• Innate Spellcasting. Rahadin’s innate spellcasting ability is intelligence. He can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components:

3/day: misty step, phantom steed
1/day: nondetection

---

Actions

Multiattack. Rahadin attacks three times with his Scimitar of Speed, or twice with his Poisoned Darts.

Scimitar of Speed. Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (1d6+8) slashing damage plus 10 (3d6) poison damage.

Darts. Ranged Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, ranged 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d4+6) piercing damage plus 10 (3d6) poison damage.

Serpent Venom. As part of making an attack, Rahadin can apply a dangerous poison to his weapon (damage included above). He carries 3 doses of this venom. A single dose can coat his scimitar or up to 5 darts.

Bonus Actions

Scimitar of Speed. On each of his turns, Rahadin may use a bonus action to make one attack with his Scimitar of Speed (in addition to any attacks that he may have made with his Attack action).

Misty Step. Kasimir teleports to an unoccupied space that he can see within 30 feet. He cannot cast this spell and a 1st-level or higher spell on the same turn.

Rahadin

Rahadin, the dusk elf chamberlain of Castle Ravenloft, has served Strahd's family faithfully for nearly five hundred years. He is Strahd's eternal servant, a longtime comrade-in-arms, and a ruthless warrior who has killed thousands in his lifetime.

Exile. Rahadin was exiled for refusing to bow down to a dusk elf prince whom he considered weak and corrupt. When the dusk elves later declined to pay fealty to King Barov, Rahadin helped Barov conquer them. The elf kingdom's royal line was obliterated, the dusk elves hunted like rabbits. The few that survived were either subjugated or forced to live among the Vistani. So pleased was Barov with Rahadin that the king made the dusk elf an honorary member of his family.

Chamberlain. After Barov died, Rahadin continued to fight as one of Strahd's generals. When the wars ended and Strahd turned his attention to building Castle Ravenloft, Rahadin saw to it that wizards and artisans were brought to Barovia. Years later, Strahd appointed Rahadin his castle chamberlain. Rahadin was pleased to do whatever Strahd asked of him, and he instilled terror in the castle staff by routinely flogging those who didn't perform their duties to his exacting standards.

When a dusk elf named Patrina Velikovna came knocking on Strahd's door, Rahadin could see that she intrigued Strahd, but Rahadin was suspicious of her motives. Patrina tried to seduce Strahd with the prospect of immortality—something Strahd desired above all. She told him of a vault of forbidden lore called the Amber Temple, where the secret of gaining immortality was hidden. While Strahd was off exploring the temple, Rahadin handled all of his master's affairs and began searching for a woman who could tear Strahd away from Patrina Velikovna. In this task, he failed. His goal was fulfilled, however, when Sergei, Strahd's brother, found Tatyana.

Tatyana was Strahd's type—a woman of exquisite beauty and gentle manner. When Strahd returned to Ravenloft, the young woman instantly caught his eye, and Rahadin had the pleasure of informing Patrina that her presence at the castle was no longer desired.

Rahadin's loyalty didn't waver after Tatyana died and Strahd became a vampire. Rahadin continued to do his master's bidding. Eager to put Tatyana out of his mind, Strahd lured more women to the castle, taking several of them as brides before draining their lives and turning them into vampire spawn. Rahadin would see to it that these women were lavished with jewels and fine clothes, and made comfortable during their stay in Ravenloft.

Executioner. Patrina Velikovna and her people were living among the Vistani when they heard of Tatyana's death and Strahd's curse. The ageless Patrina returned to Ravenloft in the hope of winning Strahd's love. This time, it was clear that Patrina craved Strahd's power and that Strahd would never love her. Rahadin assumed that Patrina would suffer the same fate as those women who had come before her. He was proven wrong when Patrina's own people stoned her to death to keep Strahd from claiming her as his wife.

Strahd was upset that the dusk elves had taken Patrina from him. After securing her body and entombing it in the catacombs of Ravenloft, Strahd sent Rahadin to punish the dusk elves. Rahadin slew the female elves so that the males couldn't breed. He also sliced off the ears of Patrina's brother, Kasimir, who had orchestrated the stoning.

Screams of the Dead. So dreadful a creature is Rahadin that anyone who stands within 10 feet of him can hear the howling screams of the countless men and women he has killed in his lifetime. Rahadin can't hear them, nor would he be haunted by them if he could. The only thing he cares about is Strahd von Zarovich, for whom he would gladly give his life.

Doctor van Richten's Traits

Ideal. "Evil cannot go unchallenged."
Bond. "To protect those I love, I must keep them distant and hidden from my enemies."
Flaw. "I am cursed. Thus, I will never have peace."

Strahd Zombie

Medium undead, unaligned

---

• Armor Class 8
• Hit Points 30 (4d8+12)
• Speed 20 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
+1	-2	+3	-4	-2	-3

---

• Saving Throws Wis +0
• Damage Immunities poison
• Condition Immunities poisoned
• Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 8
• Languages understands Common, but can't speak
• Challenge 1 (200 XP)                     Proficiency +2

---

• Undead Nature. A Strahd zombie doesn't require air or sleep.

---

Actions

Multiattack. The zombie makes three attacks: one with its Bite and two with its Claw.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d4+1) piercing damage.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6+1) slashing damage.

Strahd Zombie

Strahd zombies are undead that serve the vampire Strahd von Zarovich. Created from the long-dead guards of Castle Ravenloft, they were called into being through dark magic by Strahd himself.

Strahd's Animated Armor

Medium construct, lawful evil

---

• Armor Class 21 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 112 (15d8+45; bloodied 56)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
+3	+1	+3	-1	+0	-1

---

• Skills Perception +3
• Damage Resistances cold, fire
• Damage Immunities lightning, poison
• Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
• Senses blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius), passive Perception 13
• Languages understands Common but can't speak
• Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)                     Proficiency +3

---

• Antimagic Susceptibility. The armor is incapacitated while in the area of an antimagic field. If targeted by dispel magic, the armor must succeed on a Constitution saving throw against the caster's spell save DC or become unconscious for 1 minute.

• Constructed Nature. An animated object doesn't require air, food, drink, or sleep. The magic that animates an object is dispelled when the construct drops to 0 hit points. An animated object reduced to 0 hit points becomes inanimate and is too damaged to be of much use or value to anyone.

• False Appearance. If the armor remains motionless at the start of combat, it has advantage on its initiative roll. Moreover, if a creature has not observed the armor move or act, that creature must succeed on a DC 18 Intelligence (Investigation) check to discern that the animated armor is not a normal piece of mundane equipment.

---

Actions

Multiattack. The armor makes two melee attacks with its Greatsword or uses Shocking Bolt twice.

Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6+3) slashing damage plus 3 (1d6) lightning damage.

Shocking Bolt. Ranged Spell Attack: +4 to hit (with advantage on the attack roll if the target is wearing armor made of metal), range 60 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (3d6) lightning damage.

Strahd's Animated Armor

The armor that Strahd wore into battle when he was alive lives on today as a headless, animated suit of plate armor. The armor is painted burgundy and adorned with golden angelic motifs.

Thing of Evil. Strahd imbued his automaton with a sliver of his being, bequeathing unto his armor a malevolence not found in most animated objects. He also fortified his armor and placed a number of permanent spell effects on it to make the armor a better castle defender.

The armor understands Common but obeys only the commands of its master.

Victor Vallakovich

Medium humanoid (human), neutral evil

---

• Armor Class 12 (15 with mage armor)
• Hit Points 49 (11d8; bloodied 24)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
-1	+2	+0	+3	+1	+0

---

• Saving Throws Int +6, Wis +4
• Skills Arcana +6, History +6
• Senses passive Perception 11
• Languages Abyssal, Common, Elvish, Draconic
• Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)                     Proficiency +3

---

Actions

Multiattack. Victor makes three Arcane Burst attacks.

Arcane Burst. Melee or Ranged Spell Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., or range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (3d10+3) psychic damage.

Spellcasting. Victor casts one of the following spells, using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks).

At will: friends, mage hand, message
2/day each: charm person, mage armor, hold person, invisibility, suggestion, tongues

Order of the Silver Dragon

The death of Argynvost enraged the spirit of Vladimir Horngaard, the greatest of the dragon's knights. Horngaard returned as a revenant and swore to avenge the destruction of the order. His zeal was so great that it also brought back the spirits of several other knights, who rose as revenants under Vladimir's command.

The vengeful revenants killed many of Strahd's soldiers, and whenever the undead knights were cut down, their spirits found new corpses to inhabit. Though the knights were grossly outnumbered, they waged war for months and slew hundreds of foes.

When Strahd died and became a vampire, Vladimir's knights should have gone to their everlasting rest, but their spirits couldn't leave Strahd's domain. They marched to Castle Ravenloft and were confronted by the Vistani seer Madam Eva, who told them Strahd had died, only to become a prisoner in his own land, tormented by the death of his beloved Tatyana and the murder of his brother Sergei.

After receiving that news, Vladimir ceased his advance and led his knights back to Argynvostholt. He realized that Strahd had already died and been damned to a hell of his own creation. With nowhere else to go and nothing else to do, Vladimir set his knights to killing Strahd's agents and anyone else who might help to ease Strahd's torment. Consumed by hatred, the knights have lost their honor and nobility. Their redemption hinges on whether Vladimir can set aside that hatred. The undead knight can be found brooding in the ruins of Argynvostholt.

The spirit of the dragon Argynvost isn't at rest, either. It can sense that the knights have been corrupted, and it reaches out to the characters, hoping they will help the knights find peace. If the characters retrieve the dragon's skull from Berez and place it in the mausoleum of Argynvostholt, the dragon's spirit ascends to the highest tower of the mansion and transforms into a beacon of light that flashes across Barovia. The light of the beacon reminds Vladimir Horngaard of what he has lost, enabling him and his fellow knights to let go of their hatred and find both redemption and rest.

Treasure

Vladimir’s valuable belongings include his +2 Greatsword, with a hilt sculpted to resemble silver dragon wings and a pommel shaped like a silver dragon’s head clutching a black opal between its teeth, and his suit of full plate armor, which he has kept in immaculate condition. Vladimir also wears a platinum holy symbol of the Morninglord (worth 250 gp) around his neck, underneath his full plate armor.

Vladimir Horngaard

Medium undead, lawful evil

---

• Armor Class 18 (full plate armor)
• Hit Points 192 (20d8+100; bloodied 96)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
+4	+3	+5	+0	+1	+4

---

• Saving Throws Str +10, Con +11, Wis +7, Cha +10
• Damage Resistances necrotic, psychic
• Damage Immunities poison
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, poisoned, stunned
• Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
• Languages Common, Draconic
• Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)                     Proficiency +3

---

Fearsome Pursuit. Vladimir Horngaard can spend 1 minute focusing on Strahd von Zarovich and afterward knows the distance and direction to him.

Magic Resistance. Vladimir has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Rapid Recovery. If Vladimir goes 1 minute without taking damage, he regains all of his missing hit points.

Relentless. When Vladimir is reduced to 0 hit points, his body turns to dust. One minute later, his spirit inhabits a recently-dead humanoid corpse of his choice in Barovia, regaining all of his hit points.

---

Actions

Multiattack. Vladimir Horngaard makes two attacks with his +2 Greatsword.

+2 Greatsword. * Melee Weapon Attack:* +9 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 20 (4d6+6) slashing damage. Against Strahd, Vladimir deals an extra 14 (4d6) slashing damage.

Burning Hatred (Recharge 4-6). Vladimir targets Strahd von Zarovich, if he is within 30 feet. Strahd makes a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, Strahd takes 14 (4d6) psychic damage and is paralyzed until the end of his next turn. On a success, Strahd takes half damage and is merely frightened until the end of his next turn.

Vladimir Horngaard

Vladimir Horngaard joined the Order of the Silver Dragon at a young age and quickly earned the friendship of its founder, the silver dragon Argynvost. When he became a knight of the order, he traveled to distant lands to wage war against the forces of evil. The dragon stayed home and, in the guise of a human noble named Lord Argynvost, brought new initiates into the order.

Enemies of Strahd. Vladimir found himself fighting Strahd's armies time and again as they swept across the land. When it became clear that Strahd couldn't be stopped, the knights of the order led hundreds of refugees to Argynvost's valley, but Strahd tracked them to their sanctuary and overwhelmed them with a vast force. Vladimir, whom Argynvost had made a field commander, couldn't hold back the evil tide and was killed, only after the heartbreak of witnessing Strahd himself slay Vladimir's beloved, his fellow knight Sir Godfrey Gwilym. With the battle won, Strahd surrounded Argynvostholt. Rather than cower in his lair, Argynvost emerged and battled Strahd's armies to the bitter end.

Deadly Vengeance. Unwilling to accept his failure, Vladimir returned as a revenant. So great was his hatred of Strahd and his thirst for vengeance that those feelings fueled the spirits of many of his fellow knights—including Godfrey—to come back as revenants as well. Vladimir continued to wage the hopeless war, even as Strahd tightened his grip on the valley.

When Strahd became a vampire, Vladimir and his revenants should have gone to their eternal rest. But Strahd's deeds were so heinous that Barovia and the knight's spirits became trapped behind curtains of mist.

Blinded by Hatred. Vladimir hates Strahd but doesn't want to see the vampire given his final rest. Vladimir wants Strahd to suffer forever for the deaths of Godfrey and Argynvost, the destruction of their order, and all the other crimes of which the vampire is guilty. Vladimir believes that all of Barovia has been swept into hell, and he wants to make sure that Strahd stays trapped in it forever. It angers Vladimir that he and his fellow knights are also trapped, but in Vladimir's mind, such is the price of keeping the vampire confined. Even his love for Godfrey is now just a dim memory shrouded by his hate.

Were Vladimir to let go of his hatred, his spirit would find peace and could remember the warmth of love. Were Strahd to be defeated, even temporarily, the mists surrounding Barovia would fade, allowing the spirits of Vladimir and his knights to enter the afterlife. Nevertheless, Vladimir would rather savor Strahd's torment than bring peace to his fallen order or peace to the land of Barovia. Gone are the days of honor and valor.

Wereraven

Medium humanoid (human, shapechanger, lawful good)

---

• Armor Class 12
• Hit Points 31 (7d8)
• Speed 30 ft. (10 ft., fly 50 ft. in raven form; 30 ft., fly 50 ft. in hybrid form)

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
+0	+2	+0	+1	+2	+2

---

• Saving Throws None
• Skills Insight +4, Perception +6
• Senses passive Perception 16
• Languages Common (can't speak in raven form)
• Challenge 2 (450 XP)                             Proficiency +2

---

• Regeneration. The wereraven regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn. If the wereraven takes damage from a silvered weapon or a spell, this trait doesn't function at the start of the wereraven's next turn. The wereraven dies only if it starts its turn with 0 hit points and doesn't regenerate.

• Change Shape. The wereraven polymorphs into a raven­ humanoid hybrid or into a Tiny raven, or back into its humanoid form. Its statistics, other than its size and speed, are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn't transformed. It reverts to its humanoid form if it dies.

• Mimicry. The wereraven can mimic simply sounds it has heard, such as a person whispering, a baby crying, or an animal chittering. A creature that hears the sounds can tell they are imitations with a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Insight) check.

---

Actions

Multiattack (Human or Hybrid Form Only). The wereraven makes two weapon attacks, one of which can be with its Hand Crossbow.

Beak (Raven or Hybrid Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +4, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 piercing damage in raven form, or 4 (1d4+2) piercing damage in hybrid form. If the target is a humanoid, it must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or be cursed with wereraven lycanthropy.

Shortsword (Humanoid or Hybrid Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +4, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing damage.

Hand Crossbow (Humanoid or Hybrid Form Only). Ranged Weapon Attack: +4, range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing damage.

Zuleika Toranescu

Medium humanoid (human shapeshifter), chaotic evil

---

• Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 90 (14d8+28; bloodied 45)
• Speed 30 ft. (40 ft. in wolf form)

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
+2	+2	+2	+0	+3	+0

---

• Saving Throws Str +5, Con +5, Wis +6
• Skills Athletics +5, Perception +9, Stealth +5
• Senses darkvision 30 ft. (wolf or hybrid form only), passive Perception 19
• Languages Common (cannot speak in wolf form)
• Challenge 4 (1,900 XP)                           Proficiency +3

---

• Moon Frenzy. When a full moon appears in the night sky, the werewolf must enter hybrid form, can’t Shapeshift thereafter, becomes one size larger, increases its reach by 5 feet, and increases the damage of its jaws by 2. When the moon sets or the sun rises, the werewolf returns to humanoid form and is fatigued for 2d4 hours.
• Pack Tactics. The werewolf has Advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the werewolf’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and not incapacitated.
• Regeneration. A werewolf regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn. If the werewolf takes damage from a silvered weapon or a spell, this trait doesn't function at the start of the werewolf's next turn. The werewolf dies only if it starts its turn with 0 hit points and doesn't regenerate.
• Wolf Empathy. A werewolf can communicate with wolves, dire wolves, and other lupine creatures.

Bonus Actions

Frenzied Bite (While Bloodied, Wolf or Hybrid Form Only). Zuleika makes a Bite attack.

Shapeshift. Zuleika polymorphs into a wolf, wolf-humanoid hybrid, or back into her true humanoid form. Her statistics are the same in each form, although she cannot speak in wolf form. Any equipment she is wearing or carrying is not transformed. She reverts to her true form if she dies.

Zuleika Toranescu

West of Lake Baratok is a cave complex that the werewolves of Barovia use as a den. Recently, Emil Toranescu challenged the pack's leader, Kiril Stoyanovich, by questioning his treatment of children kidnapped by the pack.

Kiril would arm the children with weapons and force them to fight each other to the death until only one child was left standing. The winner would then be turned into a werewolf, ensuring what Kiril called "the strength and purity of the pack." Emil advocated keeping all the children alive and turning them into werewolves, thus increasing the pack's size. Emil believed that a larger pack would ensure the werewolves' survival, whereas Kiril saw a larger pack as too difficult to control and feed.

This ideological divide couldn't be reconciled and led to many disagreements. The other werewolves were split between the two camps, and it seemed likely that either Kiril or Emil would die before the conflict could be resolved.

Then Kiril disappeared for several days, causing the other werewolves to wonder whether he had fled or had been quietly disposed of by Emil and his allies. When Kiril returned, he was accompanied by a pack of several dozen dire wolves loyal to Strahd, and he brought word from Castle Ravenloft that Strahd was not pleased with Emil's attempt to fracture the pack. The dire wolves took Emil back to Castle Ravenloft to face punishment, and he was locked in the dungeon.

Zuleika Toranescu, Emil's wife, believes her mate to be dead by Strahd's hand; she prays to Mother Night for guidance, hoping that the goddess might hold enough sway over Strahd to persuade him to free her beloved.

Kiril has ordered Zuleika to guard the prisoners in the den. If the characters rescue Emil and return him safely to Zuleika, she gladly releases the children. If the characters confirm that Emil is truly dead, either by their hand or Strahd's, she still might let the prisoners go if the characters help her deal with Kiril Stoyanovich, whom she blames above all. Zuleika sees the characters as the answer to her prayers and asks them to kill Kiril when he returns from his latest hunt.

Strahd von Zarovich

Strahd von Zarovich, a vampire and wizard, can be encountered almost anywhere in his domain, but currently chooses to remain in his castle. The vampire is always encountered in the place indicated by the card reading later in this chapter, unless he has been forced into his tomb in the catacombs of Castle Ravenloft.

Details for using Strahd in battle, including his stat-blocks to be used in a multi-phased combat encounter, can be found below.

Strahd's Brides

Over the years, Strahd has endowed certain of his favored consorts with the dark gift of bridehood. Creating a bride or groom, although seemingly a simple process, requires an exhausting exercise of much power by the creating vampire. For this reason, only vampires of advanced age and capability can even assay this procedure. A bride or groom can be created only by a vampire of age category Ancient or greater, and not even all of those are capable of doing so.

In his case, Strahd’s obsession with women who resemble, or otherwise remind him of, his lost Tatyana has led him on several occasions to create a bride in cold blood, for the sole purpose of satisfying his own desires.

The exact process is detailed by Doctor van Richten himself, in his classic Guide to Vampires:

Those Who Remain

Of those that have been forced through the process, only Sasha Ivliskova, Ludmilla Vilisevic, Anastrasya Karelova, and Volenta Popofsky have survived. Sasha, the eldest bride, displeased Strahd centuries past, and has been locked in her tomb in the catacombs since. It is the three other vampire brides that rule in Strahd’s stead, and each vie with one another for power and dominance. These creatures have carved out areas of influence for themselves within the walls of Castle Ravenloft, as well as out in the valley, and each lays claim to a host of minions who do their bidding as the three factions contend with each other’s schemes.

Ludmilla, the eldest and most powerful of the three, has managed to maintain a tenuous hold on her claim to the top spot of this fragile hierarchy. While Volenta, the youngest, continues to challenge the status quo, and seeks in earnest to displace either, and eventually both, of her sister-brides.

One thing, however, that the three brides share in common is their fascination with strangers who are occasionally drawn to Barovia. Each of the brides will pay close attention to newcomers and work to incorporate them into their plots and schemes against each other. A bride will not directly attack the heroes unless they become a direct threat to that individual bride, nor will they interfere with adventurers that begin to hunt a sister-wife, or seek revenge if the heroes are successful in destroying one – after all, the destruction of a fellow bride only serves to enhance or protect their own position in the hierarchy of Strahd’s spawndom.

Strahd's Spawn

Currently, Strahd’s spawn rule the valley of Barovia in his stead, and have established their own hierarchy, with the oldest and strongest directing the younger and weaker to carry out their various schemes. These spawn take great care, however, to avoid two things: first, they ensure that their hunger and passions do not overwhelm the modest population of the valley; long term survival dictates that they curb their desires and keep their thirsts in check. Second, and most importantly, they avoid taking any action that might displease Strahd, their master, knowing that he is volatile and will destroy a spawn without a moment’s hesitation, or worse, will entomb them in the catacombs for the rest of eternity.

Strahd and the Vistani

During one of Strahd's military campaigns, years before he became a vampire, a group of Vistani rescued him after he was wounded in battle. These Vistani not only nursed Strahd back to health but also delivered him safely home. As a reward for their generosity, Strahd declared that all Vistani had the right to come and go from his land as they please, and this privilege extends to the present day. Thus, Vistani can travel freely through the fog that surrounds Barovia, without fear of harm or entrapment.

Strahd honors his debt to the Vistani in part because he envies the Vistani way of life – the freedom they have to go where they please, their devotion to family, and their festive spirit. The courtesy he shows them is not simply a matter of honor but is also born from his admiration of them.

Strahd von Zarovich, both Phases

Strahd von Zarovich, Phase I

Bonus Actions

Charm (Gaze). Strahd magically targets a creature within 30 feet, forcing it to make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, the target is charmed by Strahd for 24 hours. While charmed, it regards Strahd as a trusted friend, and is a willing target for his bite. Although the target is not under his control, it takes Strahd’s requests or actions in the most favorable way it can.

The target repeats the saving throw each time it takes damage, ending the effect on itself on a success. If the target’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, it is immune to Strahd’s Charm for 24 hours.

Children of the Night (1/day). Strahd’s presence brings forth creatures of the night to do his bidding. Strahd calls 2d4 swarms of bats or swarms of rats, or 3d6 wolves, but can call other creature’s at the DM’s discretion.

The called creatures arrive immediately and act on Strahd's initiative count. Strahd can give telepathic orders to these creatures as long as they are within 100 feet, but they cannot communicate back. The beasts remain until Strahd dies, or until he dismisses them as a bonus action.

Legendary Actions

Strahd can take 1 legendary action, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. He regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.

Blood Charm. Strahd uses his Charm action (see above).

Grasping Strike Attack. Strahd makes a single attack with his Grasping Strike (see above).

Shadow Blade Attack. Strahd makes a single attack with his Shadow Blade (see above).

Mist Form. Strahd transforms into a mist or back into its true form. As mist, he has a flying speed of 30, can’t speak, can’t take actions or manipulate objects, is immune to nonmagical damage from weapons, and has advantage on saving throws and Stealth checks. The mist can pass through a space as narrow as 1 inch without squeezing but can’t pass through water. Anything he’s carrying transforms with him.

Shapechange. Strahd transforms into the shape of a Medium or smaller beast or back into his true form. While transformed, he has the beast’s size and movement modes. He can’t use reactions or legendary actions, and can’t speak. Otherwise, he uses his own statistics. Anything he’s carrying transforms with him.

Strahd von Zarovich, Phase II

Bonus Actions

Charm (Gaze). Strahd magically targets a creature within 30 feet, forcing it to make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, the target is charmed by Strahd for 24 hours. While charmed, it regards Strahd as a trusted friend, and is a willing target for his bite. Although the target is not under his control, it takes Strahd’s requests or actions in the most favorable way it can.

The target repeats the saving throw each time it takes damage, ending the effect on itself on a success. If the target’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, it is immune to Strahd’s Charm for 24 hours.

---

Reactions

Hissing Scuttle. When Strahd takes radiant damage, he moves up to his Speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

Legendary Actions

Strahd can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. He regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.

Blood Charm. Strahd uses his Charm action (see above).

Burning Blood (Costs 2 Actions). Strahd targets a creature within 60 feet, magically causing its blood to boil in its veins. The target makes a DC 18 Constitution saving throw, taking 31 (9d6) fire damage on a failed save or half damage on a success.

Drink Blood (Costs 2 Actions). Strahd makes a bite attack (see above). On a hit, the target makes a DC 17 Constitution saving throw, falling asleep for 1 minute on a failure. The target wakes up if it takes damage or a creature uses an action to shake it awake.

Elite Recovery. Strahd ends one negative effect currently affecting him. He can use this action as long as he has at least 1 hit point, even while unconscious or incapacitated.

Grasping Strike Attack. Strahd makes a single attack with his Grasping Strike (see above).

Mist Form. Strahd transforms into a mist or back into its true form. As mist, he has a flying speed of 30, can’t speak, can’t take actions or manipulate objects, is immune to nonmagical damage from weapons, and has advantage on saving throws and Stealth checks. The mist can pass through a space as narrow as 1 inch without squeezing but can’t pass through water. Anything he’s carrying transforms with him.

Shapechange. Strahd transforms into the shape of a Medium or smaller beast or back into his true form. While transformed, he has the beast’s size and movement modes. He can’t use reactions or legendary actions, and can’t speak. Otherwise, he uses his own statistics. Anything he’s carrying transforms with him.

Momentary Transformation (Vampire Form Only). Strahd uses Shapechange or Mist Form, moves up to his Speed without provoking opportunity attacks, and then returns to his true form.