Dinner with Strahd

• a bowl of lobster bisque is set in front of each player
• Strahd makes a formal introduction, introduces the consorts, talks about how he came to live in this land, and asks each player about their backstory in turn

Welcome, my friends. I fear that we have yet to have formal introductions. I am Count Strahd von Zarovich, Lord of Barovia, Master of Castle Ravenloft. Tonight, you are my guests, and no harm shall befall you while you remain in my home. I am a man of my word, and you have it.
These are my three brides, Ludmilla Villisevic, Anastrasya Karelova, Volenta Popofsky, and I believe you have already met my consort Escher.

As you eat, let me share with you a brief history of these lands and of this Castle.

After the death of my father, King Barov, I waged a long war, finally killing the last of my family's enemies, liberating the people in this very valley. I decided to settle here, and thus named the land Barovia after my late father.

I scoured my newly conquered lands for wizards and artisans, brought them to the valley of Barovia, and commanded them to raise a castle to rival the magnificent fortresses of my ancestral homeland.

Once Castle Ravenloft was completed, I invited its namesake, my mother, Queen Ravenovia, to join me here. Alas, mother did not survive the journey, but her spirit lives on in this castle.

Now, please tell me more about each of yourselves. Your homelands, your story, your lives.

• Ask each player to explain their backstories

• the bowl of lobster bisque is cleared away and replaced by a plate of sliced tender beef framed by vibrant greens

  • for Shalooti and Bardolf salmon on a cedar plank

• In between each character is placed a bowl of freshly baked bread and a pad of freshly churned butter

• Strahd discusses the party's accomplishments:

"You must wonder why I invited you here tonight. Your exploits are becoming the talk of the valley, and I find myself both amused and intrigued by your progress.

You destroyed the Durst manor, lifting its ancient curse. A commendable act, even if that house of horrors had a certain charm. Then, you burned down the old windmill. It was rather an eyesore, so for that, I am surprisingly grateful.

In Vallaki, you cleansed the orphanage of its malevolent spirits, bringing peace to those tormented souls. You unleashed a tiger upon the town—yes, Bardolf, I know it was you. You even brought me those cursed bones that had vexed me for centuries. And, of course," he turns his gaze to Pelanil, "you killed my future bride. A bold and reckless move.

You’ve played the saviors for the Martikovs—rescuing them from blights, defeating the monstrous tree, and reviving their vineyard with a gem stolen from Baba Lysaga. Your heroics are almost tedious in their predictability.

But what astonishes me most is that you have rekindled the beacon at Argynvostholt. That ancient light, shining defiantly in the darkness, was a feat I did not expect.

So, tell me, what is your end goal? Why do you pursue these actions? Is it glory you seek? Redemption? Or do you harbor the foolish hope of my defeat? What drives you to such lengths in this land of shadows and despair?"

• Strahd discusses his goals (TODO:)

I must admit, there is one other point of business for which I brought you here. There an infamous assassin named Rudolph van Richten with a genocidal hatred for the Vistani who has come to Barovia. This van Richten seeks to slay me for acting as protector for the Vistani’s. Van Richten may appear to be an old man, but he is a dangerous, wiley, paranoid individual with a lifetime’s experience in death and a vast collection of lies and cover stories at his disposal. If you are able to apprehend him—alive—and return him to Castle Ravenloft, I promise you each a treasure from my vault.

• At this point, there can be a bunch of side conversations

  Please, eat, be merry. Conversate with one another

• Saucers of fresh fruit are brought forth
  • the vibrant colors of the fruit, picked at the height of their season contrast with the dark shadows of the castle

Surely now, you must have some questions for me. Please, I'm all ears

Strahd's Answers to Questions

• If tensions are high, Strahd tries to smooth things over with a joke:

  Castle Ravenloft has an extensive library. Just the other day, I was reading a book about an immortal dog. It was impossible to put down

• Strahd has prepared a Wall of Force spell to deal with attacks from players and block himself and his consorts

• He tries to get things back on track

  • worst case, he and the consorts disappear for the hall in mist form
    • all lights go out
    • Strahd's guarantee of protection goes away

I assure you this wall is for your protection. You're trying to skip to the end of the story, but there are so many pages to go.

• Sow distrust

One of you will betray the others. Which one will it be?