Concluding "Expedition to Castle Ravenloft" (Spoilers)

[billd91]

Yeah, maybe, but still, I don't think this is a valid explanation - okay for a player, but not necessarily for a DM.

In some ways, you can look at the reasons people don't leave closed societies very often. Why didn't more people in the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact countries defect? It wasn't just because of the direct threat of being shot as you made the attempt. It was also because of reprisals against friends and family. One person might make an escape, but it's hard to get everyone one you care about out... and you know they'll suffer punishment because of it.

Strahd may prey on the town, but he only culls a couple here, a couple there. And everyone else is left relieved that they didn't get it this time...

 

[ShinHakkaider]

In some ways, you can look at the reasons people don't leave closed societies very often. Why didn't more people in the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact countries defect? It wasn't just because of the direct threat of being shot as you made the attempt. It was also because of reprisals against friends and family. One person might make an escape, but it's hard to get everyone one you care about out... and you know they'll suffer punishment because of it.

Strahd may prey on the town, but he only culls a couple here, a couple there. And everyone else is left relieved that they didn't get it this time...

I was thinking the exact same thing, except I was thinking about it in terms of religious cults. The examples that you used were better though. It's not the violence but the THREAT of violence that keeps the people in line.

 

[Nikosandros]

Maybe... but probably I'll reinstate the choking fog from the original I6.

 

[Klaus]

You can do that, but the fog already keeps people in through fear magic, with the additional benefit of also keeping people *out*, if Strahd so wishes (the phantasmal illusions can appear between the character and the outside world (keeping him in Barovia) or between the character and Barovia (keeping him outside). Plus it also creates a mind fog effect, disorienting people.

 

[jezter6]

I was also thinking of Vistani and the wolves patrolling the mists as well, attacking unwelcome visitors and departing Barovians.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Shouldn't it technically be Zarovich County, with Barovia just as a single village within it? The ruler isn't named Strahd von Barovia, after all.

 

[Le Noir Faineant]

Maybe... but probably I'll reinstate the choking fog from the original I6.

Ditto. - Though I have to say that I really liked the explanations you gave.

As to Count Zarovich, bring count, and thus depending on a king, this is certainly true. I personally woule either set the campaign in Damara, as the 3e book suggests, or in Karameikos.

 

[Nikosandros]

Ditto. - Though I have to say that I really liked the explanations you gave.

Well, thanks, but the explanations were given by other posters...

 

[Le Noir Faineant]

You was meant indeed in the plural sense - "all of you".

 

[Klaus]

Shouldn't it technically be Zarovich County, with Barovia just as a single village within it? The ruler isn't named Strahd von Barovia, after all.

It was named Barovia before Strahd got there, and he was already a Von Zarovich by then.