Post by thedungeonmaster on Mar 18, 2009 21:20:00 GMT 8
Strahd calls himself the 'First Vampire', but the claim is likely untrue, given the diffusion of vampires across the world. However he might have been the first vampire in Barovia, the land he rules with an iron fist. His repressed subjects refer to him in whispers as 'Bloody Strahd' or 'the devil Strahd', though few know the truth of his vampiric nature.
(Open Grave: Secrets of the Undead, pg. 210)
Strahd is a Level 20 Solo Skirmisher. His HP alone is 930... He may not be the most powerful adversary, but definitely one of the most popular villains in the D&D world.
The history of Strahd spans back to the very first edition of AD&D. From a module adventure called Ravenloft to a full-sized campaign also called Ravenloft... For the uninitiated, Ravenloft campaign setting in the 2nd edition is one of the most dark and sinister world. A demiplane of dread that can extend into the realms of the known worlds like Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms. Which explains how Lord Soth became a victim and lord of his own domain in the realms of Ravenloft. The demiplane of dread is a mass of land forever wrapped in the Ethereal Mists; where separate domains are controlled by a lord. These lords are powerful evil beings; usually in the form of the undead. And the first lord of the Ravenloft domains is Strahd von Zarovich. The first vampire of Barovia is the man who started it all. Without him, there is no Ravenloft; no demiplane of dread.
Ravenloft is a Gothic Horror campaign setting. My all-time favourite.
So, imagine my pleasant surprise when I bought Open Grave: Secrets of the Undead, and found that Strahd is still very much alive as a villain in 4th Edition. Although, this time round Strahd can be planted into almost any campaign setting; I will still stick to the 2nd edition campaign setting... where PCs unknowingly stumble into the mists and are brought into the demiplane of dread.
The Open Grave core book also provides loads of material on new undead monsters and new adventure plots for PCs as low level as Level 1...
Therefore, I say a cleric or a paladin would very well be a useful member. But of course... there is no necessity for either also.
Your medallion of faith holds no use; for I am the First Vampyre; your God has no power here
