Swarmkeeper
Hero
If you haven't played Curse of Strahd yet, you might want to turn back now...
[sblock]
Ok, so the players at our table, after a lengthy campaign in Barovia in which they've interacted with Strahd several times (including 1 PC death at his hands), just broke Strahd's heart. That is to say they destroyed the Heart of Sorrow in a fracas that involved the 10 animated halberds, 4 vampire spawn, and 3 Barovian Witches. They lost their ally, Sir Klutz Tripalotsky, in the battle due to him failing his DEX save against the shaking tower not once but twice.
The party now consists of:
4 player characters:
- 9th level Half-orc Assassin - with Spider Climb and Finger of Death abilities from Dark Gifts
- 9th level Dragonborn Oath of Redemption paladin - with Fire Giant Strength (from Dark Gift) who has both the Sunsword and the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind
- 9th level Human Divination Wizard(7)/Fighter(2) - with 3 automatic DEX saves/day and 3 auto-reincarnations from Dark Gifts
- 6th level Wood Fairy Moon Druid(2)/Draconic Sorcerer(1)/Champion Fighter(3) (think tiny flying homebrew wood elf with ice powers)
2 "henchmen":
- a Death Slaad (they knocked it out in the Amber Temple and the wizard carved out the control gem)
- a Shield Guardian (wizard grabbed the amulet in the Amber Temple)
The wizard also has a red elemental gem to summon a fire elemental.
The Paladin and the Wizard both spent just a few spell slots but the Wizard did use both his divination dice in the Heart of Sorrow battle. After the battle, they all heard Strahd in their minds: "Meet me in the throne room!" I've hinted that the crystal heart might reform at dawn AND that Ireena is on her way into being transformed into a vampire - so they are feeling a sense of urgency. They really should just have time for some healing and to put together a plan.
In the throne room, I intend to have them see the Beast on his Throne as foretold by Tarroka reading. The sound of thunder booms outside and lightning flashes through the large stained glass window. He slowly lifts his head to stare them down from across the room, raising a glass of wine in a faux toast before taking a sip, then speaking: "Now... it is just you... and me... [dramatic pause as he stands and flourishes his cape] and my friends!"
My initial thought on what will be waiting in the room along with Strahd, hidden on the ceiling/in dark corners/behind the throne in a Fog Cloud:
Rahadin
4 Vampire Spawn (2 of which will be Kasimir and his newly resurrected sister Patrina)
4 Strahd Zombies
2 Barovian Witches, one equipped with a Wand of Web
2 Bodaks
2d4 Rat Swarms will be summoned by Strahd early on in the encounter (the Paladin is deathly afraid of rats and mice due to taking one of the Dark Gifts)
I'm thinking two of the party's Wereraven allies and a Swarm of Ravens will crash through the giant window to assist them in the fight at some point.
[/sblock]
Any advice? Do I have too many enemies planned? Too few?? Is it wrong of me to try to kill the wizard so he auto-reincarnates? Final Strahd showdown stories from your own campaigns are especially welcome.
Thanks!
[sblock]
Ok, so the players at our table, after a lengthy campaign in Barovia in which they've interacted with Strahd several times (including 1 PC death at his hands), just broke Strahd's heart. That is to say they destroyed the Heart of Sorrow in a fracas that involved the 10 animated halberds, 4 vampire spawn, and 3 Barovian Witches. They lost their ally, Sir Klutz Tripalotsky, in the battle due to him failing his DEX save against the shaking tower not once but twice.
The party now consists of:
4 player characters:
- 9th level Half-orc Assassin - with Spider Climb and Finger of Death abilities from Dark Gifts
- 9th level Dragonborn Oath of Redemption paladin - with Fire Giant Strength (from Dark Gift) who has both the Sunsword and the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind
- 9th level Human Divination Wizard(7)/Fighter(2) - with 3 automatic DEX saves/day and 3 auto-reincarnations from Dark Gifts
- 6th level Wood Fairy Moon Druid(2)/Draconic Sorcerer(1)/Champion Fighter(3) (think tiny flying homebrew wood elf with ice powers)
2 "henchmen":
- a Death Slaad (they knocked it out in the Amber Temple and the wizard carved out the control gem)
- a Shield Guardian (wizard grabbed the amulet in the Amber Temple)
The wizard also has a red elemental gem to summon a fire elemental.
The Paladin and the Wizard both spent just a few spell slots but the Wizard did use both his divination dice in the Heart of Sorrow battle. After the battle, they all heard Strahd in their minds: "Meet me in the throne room!" I've hinted that the crystal heart might reform at dawn AND that Ireena is on her way into being transformed into a vampire - so they are feeling a sense of urgency. They really should just have time for some healing and to put together a plan.
In the throne room, I intend to have them see the Beast on his Throne as foretold by Tarroka reading. The sound of thunder booms outside and lightning flashes through the large stained glass window. He slowly lifts his head to stare them down from across the room, raising a glass of wine in a faux toast before taking a sip, then speaking: "Now... it is just you... and me... [dramatic pause as he stands and flourishes his cape] and my friends!"
My initial thought on what will be waiting in the room along with Strahd, hidden on the ceiling/in dark corners/behind the throne in a Fog Cloud:
Rahadin
4 Vampire Spawn (2 of which will be Kasimir and his newly resurrected sister Patrina)
4 Strahd Zombies
2 Barovian Witches, one equipped with a Wand of Web
2 Bodaks
2d4 Rat Swarms will be summoned by Strahd early on in the encounter (the Paladin is deathly afraid of rats and mice due to taking one of the Dark Gifts)
I'm thinking two of the party's Wereraven allies and a Swarm of Ravens will crash through the giant window to assist them in the fight at some point.
[/sblock]
Any advice? Do I have too many enemies planned? Too few?? Is it wrong of me to try to kill the wizard so he auto-reincarnates? Final Strahd showdown stories from your own campaigns are especially welcome.
Thanks!
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