D&D 5E Strahd-Related Artifacts and Relics

[Remathilis]

So I'm working on a "sequel" to Curse of Strahd where, as part of the quest, they need to acquire five "relics" of Strahd that were important to his life. I was avoiding the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind and the Sunsword, mostly because the PCs already HAVE those items, but was looking for other items that either have published history with Strahd OR could symbolize him in some way.

So far, I have.
* The Von Zarovich Family Sword (Open Grave) - converted from 4e.
* The Tome of Strahd (nearly all RL) - Naturally

A few ideas I had considered included a signet ring (royalty), amulet (magic/spellcaster), and perhaps a dagger from the Ba'al Verzi (Leo Dilsynia), I could also use something related to Sergei, Tatyana, or the like.

If anyone who is a Ravenloft guru has suggestions for canonical items (like the sword and tome) or good ideas for new ones, I'm interested in hearing them.

(Side note, the first person to suggest the Eye, Heart, Rib, Ring, and Nail of Strahd is getting 40 lashes with a thorn whip).

 

[neogod22]

So I'm working on a "sequel" to Curse of Strahd where, as part of the quest, they need to acquire five "relics" of Strahd that were important to his life. I was avoiding the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind and the Sunsword, mostly because the PCs already HAVE those items, but was looking for other items that either have published history with Strahd OR could symbolize him in some way.

So far, I have.
* The Von Zarovich Family Sword (Open Grave) - converted from 4e.
* The Tome of Strahd (nearly all RL) - Naturally

A few ideas I had considered included a signet ring (royalty), amulet (magic/spellcaster), and perhaps a dagger from the Ba'al Verzi (Leo Dilsynia), I could also use something related to Sergei, Tatyana, or the like.

If anyone who is a Ravenloft guru has suggestions for canonical items (like the sword and tome) or good ideas for new ones, I'm interested in hearing them.

(Side note, the first person to suggest the Eye, Heart, Rib, Ring, and Nail of Strahd is getting 40 lashes with a thorn whip).

The Holy symbol can't actually leave Ravenloft, so it can be used again, neither can his tome. The Sword on the other hand may be able to, but you can have the characters find all 3 again.

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[Remathilis]

The Holy symbol can't actually leave Ravenloft, so it can be used again, neither can his tome. The Sword on the other hand may be able to, but you can have the characters find all 3 again.

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I considered it, but it felt a bit "cliche" to strip them of the toys they got in CoS and then make them recover them. Though it would be thematically good.

Still, even including them, I have VZF Sword, Sunsword, Tome, Holy Symbol, and need one more...

 

[Mistwell]

He's a count. There was probably a symbol of that authority from long ago. A crown or, more likely, a circlet or rod. I think your ideas of a signet, amulet, and tome are all also good.

You can also have the PCs look for a gemstone missing from a sword, or a part of the pommel that's missing, or scabbard.

 

[neogod22]

It's Actually pretty interesting that you are thinking of going back, I was thinking the same thing. Maybe changing a few things up in the castle, making some encounters different. But making the search for the 3 items again. Just this time they have to use them in a certain way to keep Strahd down for good. I'm definitely going to make Strahd more powerful, and making this a more time sensitive and deadly encounter. I'm thinking, every character that dies, becomes a vampire and trapped in the castle. Maybe make the original characters vampires and have the players go in with alternates.

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[Ganymede81]

It's Actually pretty interesting that you are thinking of going back, I was thinking the same thing. Maybe changing a few things up in the castle, making some encounters different.

This isn't a bad idea.

Why not have the PCs run through an upside-down version of the castle?

 

[Quickleaf]

[MENTION=7635]Remathilis[/MENTION] I'd recommend checking out I10 - The House on Gryphon Hill. There are lots of intriguing ideas as well as six quest objects in that adventure:

[SBLOCK]Location of the Items: In this adventure there are six items that
play an important role. Each either is crucial to the ultimate defeat
of the Creature Strahd, or provides insight into the mystery
and an advantage against the minions of evil. These items are
described here briefly. More detail may be found in the Appendices
and Handouts.

The Apparatus: This mammoth mystical machine is the creation
of the Alchemist Strahd in his attempt to purge his soul of
all evil. However. it is the result of this very act that has visited
evil and disaster on the quiet village of Mordentshire. The Apparatus
holds the key to the evil creeping across the countryside,
and the ultimate defeat of the Creature. But now, the Apparatus
has fallen into the hands of the Creature and is hidden
away somewhere.
The Rod of Rastinon: This short, thin crystal rod controls the
wondrous power of transformation and an be used to turn the
power of the Apparatus back to good. Without the Rod, the
Creature is denied total control of his form, but he may still use
the Apparatus to transpossess innocent townsfolk with his creatures
of evil. If the PCs can reunite the Rod with the Apparatus,
they may be able to reverse this transpossession and drive out
the evil of the Creature Strahd.
The Soul Searcher Orb: This medallion appears to be a small
crystal orb attached to a silver chain. The Orb enables the bearer
to examine the soul of a creature to discover its true nature.
The Ring of Reversion: This relic appears to be a simple iron
ring baring a single garnet and inscribed with ancient runes.
This ring enables the wearer to restore the rightful spirit to its
form if the body still exists. It can also cause any shapechanger
to revert to its original form if the creature can be struck with
the ring.
The Alchemist’s Diary: This holds the private notes of the
Alchemist Strahd von Zarovich, and details those dread experiments
which lead to the current situation. This book is missing
a vital entry tom from its covets which reveals the ultimate goal
of the Creature.
The Missing Entry: Based on the results of the Mesmerist’s
Pendulum the missing entry will vary. These torn pages reveal
the goal and motivation of the Creature, as well as what the Alchemist’s
part is in all this.[/SBLOCK]

 

[Remathilis]

[MENTION=7635]Remathilis[/MENTION] I'd recommend checking out I10 - The House on Gryphon Hill. There are lots of intriguing ideas as well as six quest objects in that adventure:

[SBLOCK]Location of the Items: In this adventure there are six items that
play an important role. Each either is crucial to the ultimate defeat
of the Creature Strahd, or provides insight into the mystery
and an advantage against the minions of evil. These items are
described here briefly. More detail may be found in the Appendices
and Handouts.

The Apparatus: This mammoth mystical machine is the creation
of the Alchemist Strahd in his attempt to purge his soul of
all evil. However. it is the result of this very act that has visited
evil and disaster on the quiet village of Mordentshire. The Apparatus
holds the key to the evil creeping across the countryside,
and the ultimate defeat of the Creature. But now, the Apparatus
has fallen into the hands of the Creature and is hidden
away somewhere.
The Rod of Rastinon: This short, thin crystal rod controls the
wondrous power of transformation and an be used to turn the
power of the Apparatus back to good. Without the Rod, the
Creature is denied total control of his form, but he may still use
the Apparatus to transpossess innocent townsfolk with his creatures
of evil. If the PCs can reunite the Rod with the Apparatus,
they may be able to reverse this transpossession and drive out
the evil of the Creature Strahd.
The Soul Searcher Orb: This medallion appears to be a small
crystal orb attached to a silver chain. The Orb enables the bearer
to examine the soul of a creature to discover its true nature.
The Ring of Reversion: This relic appears to be a simple iron
ring baring a single garnet and inscribed with ancient runes.
This ring enables the wearer to restore the rightful spirit to its
form if the body still exists. It can also cause any shapechanger
to revert to its original form if the creature can be struck with
the ring.
The Alchemist’s Diary: This holds the private notes of the
Alchemist Strahd von Zarovich, and details those dread experiments
which lead to the current situation. This book is missing
a vital entry tom from its covets which reveals the ultimate goal
of the Creature.
The Missing Entry: Based on the results of the Mesmerist’s
Pendulum the missing entry will vary. These torn pages reveal
the goal and motivation of the Creature, as well as what the Alchemist’s
part is in all this.[/SBLOCK]

Heh, I'm already stealing a chunk of Ravenloft 2 already. The ring seems like a good option.

 

[Remathilis]

It's Actually pretty interesting that you are thinking of going back, I was thinking the same thing. Maybe changing a few things up in the castle, making some encounters different. But making the search for the 3 items again. Just this time they have to use them in a certain way to keep Strahd down for good. I'm definitely going to make Strahd more powerful, and making this a more time sensitive and deadly encounter. I'm thinking, every character that dies, becomes a vampire and trapped in the castle. Maybe make the original characters vampires and have the players go in with alternates.

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

The gist of it is, Barovia still exists, but Strahd has gone "missing" since his death. Other minor lords have set up shop in his stead, and a group organized to watch for Strahd has gathered info that a cult seeks to resurrect Strahd. Its up the heroes who banished him to stop the ritual by gathering important talismans from his life and destroying them, thus stopping Strahd from ever returning. Of course, there is FAR more than that going on...

My list of sources for inspiration included
Ravenloft 2: House of Gryphon Hill
Expedition to Castle Ravenloft
Domains of Dread
Fair Barovia
Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (among other Castlevania elements)
and, of course, Curse of Strahd.

Its also an alternate take on the RL mythos, so I'm not beholding myself to RL canon (I mean, CoS didn't).