Expedition to Castle Ravenloft: Strahd’s new look… [Guessing at Spoilers]

[frankthedm]

There was a mildy bad reaction to the curious look Strahd had on the cover of new Expedition to Castle Ravenloft book. Having seen the full sized ad in the recent Dungeon magazine, Strahds face looks much less feral as vampires go and just a bit a bit shriveled, the antithesis of the eternal youth vampirism typically bestows. The texture of his hands are similar, though more coarse looking. This is a bit different how he has been depicted in the past.

The ad is much more defined than this pic...
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/1719/078693946x01ss500sclzzzzzzzv60890488ti4.jpg

The advertisement goes on to say…

This time around,
MAKE SURE HE’S
DEAD-DEAD

It’ll take a lot more than wooden
stakes to put Strahd von Zarovich in his
coffin for the last time – a lot more.​

He is not wearing trademark ruby necklace, which he was always depicted with. It might be just part of WotC’s Facelift, though I suspect Strahd’s Amulet of Nondetection is still around, hidden away.

I have a hunch the only way to get rid of Strahd for sure is to destroy that amulet.

Strahd is a potent necromancer in every incarnation of Ravenloft. Usually those types get killed by a hero or become a Lich. The advertisements are making me think SvZ found a way to be just a wee bit more durable… maybe not all the traits of a lich, but I woudn’t be surprised if Strahd reforms 1d10 days after being ‘killed’.

 

[Treebore]

I'll do what i did with I6. See what they give me to work with and then pretend I am Strahd and set things up the way I want them to be. If the party can survive, great!

Personally, I want to see how they handle the red dragons.

 

[JustKim]

I don't understand why this is an issue. A character looks different depending on who draws them.

 

[Frostmarrow]

I don't understand why this is an issue. A character looks different depending on who draws them.

Because the artist probably has more information about the motif than we do. Besides, we speculate for fun.

 

[Matafuego]

Strahd's a lich?
Hope not.

Reforms after 1dx days?
Think you're unto something there...

Where did that damn amulet go anyway?
Maybe he lost it and can't find it?
Would detect magic work on it? lol

 

[wayne62682]

All I know is that ad looked pretty cool, and (not that it will happen) if I ever play that adventure I have the urge to create a flail-wielding vampire hunter with daggers, holy water, some throwing axes and a cross-shaped boomerang...

 

[Cam Banks]

I prefer Clyde's original.

Sunken-cheek Strahd = Ugh.

Cheers,
Cam

 

[Shemeska]

All I know is that ad looked pretty cool, and (not that it will happen) if I ever play that adventure I have the urge to create a flail-wielding vampire hunter with daggers, holy water, some throwing axes and a cross-shaped boomerang...

*GRIN*

 

[Mercule]

I'll be very interested in this adventure. I've always been a fan of I6 -- it's been something of a regular "challenge module" for any players feeling cocky. Hoping they change enough to make it interesting again, but keep enough the same to make it fun.

 

[Dragonhelm]

I don't get why Tracy and Laura Hickman don't have cover credit. Even if this is a 3e conversion with added material, Tracy and Laura came up with the adventure to begin with. Or am I missing something?

And personally, I think the new art just doesn't do Strahd justice. Not that the AD&D conversion did either. I still love the original artwork.

Egad, have I become a grognard?