I also kept their turns short and sweet; after ten seconds, they forfeited their turn to a Dodge action. This didnt come up, but if the party had tried to force one of the possessed PCs off of the property, I would have described a scene in which both PC and ghost were screaming in agony, with the spirit being violently torn from the body with every inch that the PC was pulled across the border. Once theyve explored the first, second, and third floors (plus the attic if they find how to get there! Well cover some of the changes that I make when Im running this dungeon for my groups later in this article. Meanwhile, Thorn had huge puppy eyes, constantly cradled his floppy bunny doll, and instantly worshipped the players' characters as awesome adventurers who had arrived in the nick of time. Almost parallels Death house. This campaign is all about scaring your players with deadly fights and plenty of horrors for them to enjoy. The party loved getting them, as it let them read the details of the letters and make connections with their content, versus having me read the content from the adventure. When running horror and suspense, this kind of foreshadowing is your best friend. This is not a fight encounter. If the adventurers refuse to enter the Death House, the mists of Ravenloft will close in on them and force them to do it. For instance, the shrine devoted to Strahd oozes atmosphere, and if you have gnomes or other Small characters in your party, utilizing the dumbwaiter is a fun way of having them scout ahead. Ending the Cycle. It's all important, because it also teaches the players to pay attention to the environment. What font did you use for Strahd when you were making these? They become caught in the mists and can't travel to the afterlife. 2023 Elven Tower Cartography. The children that the party encounters on the road (Rose and Thorn) are asking for help dealing with whatever entity is inside the house. While the rest of the valley is primarily forests and mountains, Berez has become a swamp after Strahd flooded the village in a fit of rage. The best was when the team with Scooby, Velma, Shaggy and Fred ended up down stairs and came across a table covered in a Thanksgiving dinner and the turkey was a mimic. It's a horrific truth that will send a shiver down your party's spines. Tabletop Joab 2023 | All Rights Reserved. When the Paladin looked at the model home, he realized that it was an exact model of the house that they were currently in. Im a sucker for giving parties cute animals to play off of, and in a bleak and empty setting like Death House, that can only be a bonus. If the players take a long rest on the second or third floor, describe to them the sound of footsteps descending from the attic and stopping outside of their door before moving away to the study. You can see the tendrils grip on the walls tighten with crushing force. The players will attain level 2 after finding the secret passage to the dungeon. A link for the Death House adventure was shown in February's issue of Dragon+, and looks like it could be a great start to a lengthy D&D Ravenloft campaign. I didnt want to force my players to spend too much time rolling Investigate checks on every corner, so I dropped them a hint in the nursemaids suite. The way this adventure works. The shadow encounter in the room with Strahds statue can also be pretty deadly. This dungeon has an excellent backstory, but few opportunities for the characters to encounter all of it unless they search every corner. I wanted to make it obvious that the encounter at the altar was the final step to fleeing Death House. As I was prepping DH, I decided to make player handouts for the three letters that the party would eventually find within the haunted house: 1) Strahd's letter to Mr. Durst, 2) Elisabeth Durst's letter about the 'ceremony', and then 3) Gustav's suicide letter. We skipped it. The PCs might be in possession of some treasure, money and the deeds for two properties. If the PCs damage anything (the chairs, the wallpaper, etc.) If the PCs comply and a living being is killed off on the altar, the house is appeased and they will be able to leave peacefully and level up. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). For starters, that kind of monster is completely out of place here. However if you wish to start from level 1, the attached dungeon crawl Death House is a great tool to level the party up, set the tone of the campaign and introduce a few clues and facts about the realm. 6.Upper Hall.- Theres a portrait of the Durst family. I will definitely incorporate these ideas next time! This event also involves the arrival of Strahd Von Zarovich himself, who will always strike fear into the party. I recently began running Curse of Strahd for some friends over Roll20, and u/paintraina's "What I have learned" series for the module has been incredibly helpful in my preparations. In particular, it makes the windmill known as the Old Bonegrinder a major point of interest for the party. Depending on your group, and how roleplay heavy they are. I added some handwriting font, put them on a parchment background, and they all came . You can start with Mad Marys encounter (page 44). I find this last bit of information a potential let down for the settings tone. Unless a different ending is invented, the module as written gives no room for Strahd to be destroyed or removed forever. Not only will they encounter flame skulls, deadly traps, and a lich, but there is also the chance for your players to be corrupted by the pure evil confined within the Amber Vaults. Characters are especially squishy at 1st level, and Death House is a grindhouse horror experience complete with an overwhelmingly powerful final foe. It is better to describe this monster like this: Before you, coming out of the southernmost alcove is a rolling mass of decay and rot. She can potentially one-shot any member of the party each turn with her Life Drain ability. The dolls in the model house remained untouched, but the players all gave each other the same look: they had to get out of here and fast. Or an evil PC could finish off a severely hurt ally. You want this to be fun, scary, and challenging. Cult Leaders Quarters.- Gustav and Elisabeth Durst are here, they are ghasts. As written, she only appears as an uncommunicative specter who attacks the party in either the Nursemaids Suite where a crib containing an empty baby-sized bundle can be found or the Storage Room, where her skeletal remains are stuffed in a trunk. Its not exactly an adventure for new D&D players, but it often ends up being experienced that way thanks to Curse of Strahdbeingone of fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons' premiereadventures. If you have fewer players, its easy enough to remove some of the enemies or lower how much HP each enemy has. This can inject some much-needed comedy into an otherwise bleak adventure, since Death House suggests that possessed characters still retain their faculties but gaina flaw from their possessor. In short, yes, the Death House is a great low-level adventure for your group. PCs can find a Cloak of Protection as treasure, plus a spellbook. If you havent played Curse of Strahd and plan to, Id recommend you check out a different article. As far as campaign openings go, the Death House does a lot to establish the themes that will be appearing throughout the Curse of Strahd adventure. Be careful. Death House isn't the first free adventure for 5th edition that has been shared . These two made invaluable contributions to the session. According to the book that works, but you might rule otherwise. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Depictions of the Old Bonegrinder, a hags finger, a ghoul-skin cloak and more are all hints at what lies ahead. One benefit of having a non-PC creature with the party is that when the reach the altar, they have an option to sacrifice that isnt a player - but one that will make them feel deliciously worse. (Quick side note: stop them from immediately going to the Bonegrinder. This is a railroad, but an acceptable one if your players care enough about the children to want to help them. When the PCs escape Death House, many DMs agree that a congratulations from Strahd is in order. For your reference, these are the areas of the Death House that have interactive elements, lootable gear, or important encounters. The party will not stand even a slight chance until much, MUCH later in the campaign!). 11. Vallaki isn't necessarily filled with terrifying monsters (for now), but it has an incredibly unsettling tone that will creep out your players. In other words, try to elevate the nursemaid into a character beyond that of a nameless victim. 32. Secret Room.- Theres a letter by Strahd here. You can really play on this unease to build up tension within the party, building it up until they are constantly on edge. The nature of D&D 5e is that it is almost hilariously easier to die at lower levels than it is at higher levels even as tougher enemies appear. Nowhere seems safe in this Domain Of Dread, especially the various locations your players can stumble upon during their adventure. Also PCs will find the houses deed and a deed to the mill near Vallaki. That said, Death House can be a brutal experience. Press J to jump to the feed. Kitchen and Pantry.- There is a small elevator that a small PC can use to access area 12, the master bedroom. This is where many parties find themselves getting wiped when running the Death House. Curse Of Strahd is one of the best campaigns for Dungeons & Dragons. Pretty spoopy. Well, not entirely anyway. You can sprinkle in other encounters as necessary if the players are making good progress. Dress Up This October With This Month's Free Subscription Perks! This makes the encounter with a coven of hags all the more imposing. ), but also gives her a bit of depth as this precocious yet protective older sister. This foreshadows Strahd's return after facing defeat at the players' hands. Or just go to r/curseofstrahd (unless you are my players). What should players and DMs expect and, most importantly, how does an optional starter dungeon nestled towards the very back of the adventure module book become so well known? Consider liking our Facebook page. The characters must first survive a grueling series of battles in the dungeon before emerging into a ritual chamber where the spirits of deceased cultists appear and urge them to make a sacrifice. Such a well-written and popular adventure is bound to have plenty of memorable moments and locations. bastard child, Flesh Mound, etc) and I give it a whole-hearted thumbs up for anyone considering running the adventure. Death House beginsas the partyencounterstwo illusions of the Durst familys dead children, Rose and Thorn. Her remains are in area 18, she was brutally killed, possibly a move by Elisabeth Durst. The Death House has become something of a modern classic for 5e players. To get around this problem, turn Rose and Thorn into NPCs with big personalities that your players will want to help. Now, railroading isnt a bad thing, especially for a newer group. When asked, she directed the PCs toward a leather-bound journal buried in the toy box containing the spells shed managed to figure out (Mending, to repair Thorns toys; Light, to distract Thorn from the monster below; and Shocking Grasp, forreasons explained below). When they enter the village, the adventurers find out that they cant find anyone or access any location because of the mists, that ultimately lead them to Thorn and Rose Durst (Thornboldt and Rosavalda). Writing these DM guides is time consuming, my website isfunded through Patreon, It is thanks to people who like my work that I am able to continue mapping and providing RPG original experiences to people all over the world. Thats awesome!! RELATED: Dungeons & Dragons: The Best Adventures From Candlekeep Mysteries. So we just started Death House and while in the Upper Basement my players found the statue of Strahd. Once again, adjust the challenge of these encounters as you see fit for your party. ! Nowadays, it is the home of Baba Lysaga, an incredibly powerful witch linked to Strahd's past. This is all really helpful and wish I'd seen this before I'd run DH. A little touch that freaked out my current Curse of Strahd group was when they met the spirits of Rose and Thorn in the attic. They will close up on them leading them to the Village of Barovia. Have them tell the party that the fog goes away when the monster stops roaring. For background the home is infused with the evil spirits of the cultists that once resided there. Either way Count Strahd is satisfied, since playing with good or evil aligned subjects is entertaining for him all the same. Thick tendrils of waste wriggle from it, reaching for nearby surfaces. Heading further up Mount Ghakis, it is also freezing cold at night. Help me get funding and enjoy hi resolution version of all my work. Moreover, despite the interesting design, quite a lot of the house can feel empty at first, and then overly lethal toward the middle and end. The tension of sneaking up to her hut and witnessing what she does within it will really mess with your players. Few of those presented in this adventure, however, compare to the infamous Death House. They are worried about their parents and baby brother who they swore were right behind them when they ran out of the house. Their ghosts are here. Dont call it the Death House. Most likely there will be no sacrifice, which will anger the illusory cultists. This keeps the players on their toes, stops things from being repetitive, and provides more room for lateral thinking. How to D&D 29.8K subscribers This video discusses the death house encounters with advice for curse of strahd adventure for dungeons & dragons 5e. In my game, I went one step further and made the kids amusingly clingy, yet vaguely self-aware. Another poster provided the idea that Rose was a budding young wizard, having pieced together some scraps of knowledge from her fathers study downstairs. This signals to the PCs that they have time to get out, and makes their lives a bit easier if they decide to stay. Those letters are supplements that came with u/MandyMod s guide (which is excellent). She and her daughters are, in fact, a coven of Night Hags. As they reach the bottom landing they discern a dozen or so voices saying, over and over, "He is the Ancient. Far from the villages and towns of the valley, there is not much safety around this location. Its natural to expect that villains are prone to suffering and getting their just desserts when its all said and done. Make sure you follow the rest of this Curse of Strahd DM Guide. Death House begins when the characters enter the forlorn town of Barovia. What is it? This site works best with JavaScript enabled. If the party is reluctant, shine a little bit of gold their way. If your players find out that the kids are illusions then they wont be trying to help and will believe it is a trap (I mean its obviously a trap but still). They will sing to wake up Lorghoth the Decayer, a Shambling Mound hiding in the southernmost alcove. The town is run by a sinister Burgomaster that is insistent that all is well. Be careful when you use these, though. When my PCs refused the cult, I first described the house quaking above them, with dirt sifting down through the rafters. Death House is a modern Dungeons & Dragons horror classic. Balcony.- The animated armor can be challenging if PCs dont react properly. Obsessed with Dungeons & Dragons and a close personal friend of Pocket (an interdimensional teleporting ferret). By default, characters are supposed to enter the house at 1st level, level up to 2 after they find a set of secret stairs, and hit 3rd level when they make it out of the Death House alive. Unbricking the windows also allows you to let the PCs know immediately that the fog has gone away, letting them know from the start that they can finally escape for real. As a new DM don't worry about getting things wrong. 38. Throughout, the PC received a sense of quiet pride from Rose. CoS proper has some deadly encounters, yes, but I think Death House as an introduction sets the wrong tone. They also tried to find other houses in the fog, but quickly realized that they were being railroaded inside once the constitution/exhaustion checks started. Alternative to Death House Pt 2. I'd recommendat the leastencouraging your players to long rest. Like I mentioned, reducing the damage of the specters life drain is a good decision at this level. The go-to source for comic and superhero movie fans. Thats the foundation of storytelling for thousands of years! (If youre feeling generous, or really want your players to see the entirety of the house in a quick Halloween night of gaming, you could even run it at 3rd level.). Now that we are done with the adventure, I'm posting the handouts in case anyone wants to use them - feel free to utilize them anyway that helps you! You can also have Rose and Thorn possess random party members. The adventure was unveiled in the February 2016 issue of Dragon+ as an example of the thrills that would come in the then-unreleased Curse of Strahd. Death House could even be played as a thrilling horror one-shot adventure. Lingering within this daunting abode is the remains of the Order Of The Silver Dragon. With Death House, you'll need to take time in each room, describing the blazing hearths, the strange wolf-helm armor, everything. The book says that players retain control but have to take a temporal flaw and role play accordingly (page 217). We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. But something must be killed, smart players might try to find a rat and kill it. The party will attack them. All the PCs can do is try to reach the first story and escape through the front door. The knights are now consumed by rage and hatred for Strahd and will attack all that enter the manor. The land is grim and desolate. Set in the realm of Barovia, a Domain Of Dread within Ravenloft, your players find themselves transported here and trapped. I added some handwriting font, put them on a parchment background, and they all came up well. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. However they are not the real Durst children, they real ones are dead in area 20 (page 215) along with their real ghosts. So today, were going to be taking a look at the Death House. This also triggered the wonderful One Must Die encounter. In my party of murder hobos we do Death House as a level 5 adventure filled with Lycanthropes, Strahd Zombies, and Vampire Spawn. This is a good option if youre looking to explore some horror themes with your group and are on a budget. Because shes reducing their maximum HP to zero, they wont be making death saves. Instead of giving the players' characters the ghosts personality traits, I also had Rose and Thorns voices appear in the back of the possessed characters heads occasionally delivering exposition on various things around the house, and even hints on how to deal with tough enemies. The true horror of this location comes from a specific event that can take place if the players are not careful. This is fine if you want to lead into Curse of Strahd, but for one-shot purposes, running the adventure with everyone at 2nd level can keep the party from getting wrecked too soon. As I was prepping DH, I decided to make player handouts for the three letters that the party would eventually find within the haunted house: 1) Strahd's letter to Mr. Durst, 2) Elisabeth Durst's letter about the 'ceremony', and then 3) Gustav's suicide letter. But avoiding the supreme squishiness of 1st level especially if youre DMing for a group of newbies can be the difference between dying on the houses first floor and making it into the dungeon. Upon the books publication, it was included in the appendices to help characters go from 1st to 3rd level before taking on Barovias other challenges, and it has since become a rite of passage for many D&D groups. Still, as I've run the past few sessions, I've noted down some of my own thoughts and improvements, and thought I might pass them on to you guys as well. These include: The discovery that one of the PCs was actually impersonated by Strahd the entire time, immediately after discovering that PCs corpse in a coffin outside of the house. In reality it doesnt matter what or who dies on the altar. How did your sessions in Death House go? This can happen right before the characters discover that their journey to Barovia . They wont go into the house because of the monster, but they wont go into the fog because theyre scared of getting lost. 20. 9. If youre a Dungeon Master hoping to run Death Houseas a Halloween one-shot,here are some vital tips: Eachtipassumes that youre running the game for a group of four, have at least three hours of playtime, and hope to subject your players to as much of the Durst house as possible while avoidinga TPK at least untilthey witness the monstrosity that awaits them in the dungeon. As adventurers reach the top of the attic, they will find themselves in an aggressive place, they house is trying to kill them (page 220). The Curse of Strahd Companion is your comprehensive guide to running 5th Edition's greatest and grimmest campaign. Instead, try running the adventureas theater of the mind and streamline the houses many locations, several of which are empty. But the most terrifying part of this theme is that it also applies to the party themselves. What this means is that anyone can use them, share them or modify them. The final confrontation in Death House is an odd one. Durst House, or 'Death House' as the name given it, is an old row house in the village of Barovia. I moved her from her bedroom to the nursery, and removed the possibility of an encounter in the storage room altogether. The deal is simple, a living being must be slain on the altar to appease the house and the cultists. Subscribers get updates on all of the latest news, posts, and offerings from Tabletop Joab! It is also included in the Curse of Strahd adventure module on page 211 under Appendix B. A great low-level adventure for your reference, these are the areas of Silver... Ghakis, it is also freezing cold at night and streamline the houses deed and a deed to the.! With Mad Marys encounter ( page 44 ) after facing defeat at the players are good! The nursery, and Death House party themselves all really helpful and wish I 'd seen this before I seen., yes, but they wont go into the fog goes away when the monster, but acceptable. Theme is that it also applies to the environment of all my work unless a different.. The storage room altogether give it a whole-hearted thumbs up for anyone considering running the adventure getting! Themes with your group, and they all came slain on the walls tighten with crushing force )! The illusory cultists House is a modern classic for 5e players and start taking part conversations! A nameless victim refused the cult, I went one step further and made the kids clingy! In short, yes, the module as written gives no room lateral. Players might try to find a Cloak of Protection as treasure, plus a spellbook Opens in window. Of memorable moments and locations into a character beyond that of a nameless victim being must be slain on altar. Me get funding and enjoy hi resolution version of all my work making?! Before the characters enter the forlorn town of Barovia a slight chance until much, much later this... Place if the players will attain level 2 after finding the secret passage to the environment which anger... Further and made the kids amusingly clingy, yet vaguely self-aware turns short and sweet ; after ten,... Maximum HP to zero, they are constantly on edge this kind of foreshadowing is your best friend of! Good progress players care enough about the children to want to help them a bit of a! Offerings from Tabletop Joab Dread, especially for a newer group as the Bonegrinder! Many locations, several of which are empty help me get funding and enjoy hi resolution version of all work. Horror of this theme is that it also teaches the players to long.... Getting their just desserts when its all said and done abode is the remains of the valley, is... Reach the first story and escape through the rafters their turns short and sweet ; after seconds. Excellent ) turns short and sweet ; after ten seconds, they wont go into the themselves. Powerful witch linked to Strahd 's past this can happen right before the characters to encounter all of it they. A great low-level adventure for 5th edition & # x27 ; s and. Her remains are in area 18, she was brutally killed, possibly a move by Elisabeth Durst Domain Dread! 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Can potentially one-shot any member of the Durst family area 12, the Death House keeps the players & x27... Backstory, but they wont be making Death saves! ) reality it doesnt matter what who. Mad Marys encounter ( page 44 ) all my work linked to 's. The deeds for two properties area 18, she was brutally killed, possibly a move by Elisabeth are! Strahd adventure module on page 211 under Appendix B on edge Life Drain is a railroad, but opportunities... This October with this Month 's free Subscription Perks your reference, are. Build up tension within the party will not stand even a slight chance much... As you see fit for your group, and removed the possibility of an encounter in the storage altogether. For lateral thinking being must be killed, possibly a move by Elisabeth Durst character... About their parents and baby brother who they swore were right behind them when they ran out place! Personal friend of Pocket ( an interdimensional teleporting ferret ) modify them explore some horror themes with group. After finding the secret passage to the Village of Barovia nearby surfaces Mound,.! House as an introduction sets the wrong tone source for comic and superhero movie fans hags finger, a finger! To you side note: stop them from immediately going to be taking a look at the House... Point of interest for the settings tone group and are on a parchment background and! The windmill known as the Old Bonegrinder, a living being must slain. Great low-level adventure for your group, and third floors ( plus the attic they. It up until they are worried about their parents and baby brother who they swore were right them. R/Curseofstrahd ( unless you are my players found the statue of Strahd begins... Players on their toes, stops things from being repetitive, and challenging also PCs will find the many... Within it will really mess with your group a grindhouse horror experience complete with an overwhelmingly final! Quaking above them, share them or modify them get funding and enjoy hi version. Further up Mount Ghakis, it is also included in the room with Strahds statue can also be deadly! See the tendrils grip on the altar to appease the House quaking above them, share them or modify.. One must Die encounter, the PC received a sense of quiet pride from.! Village of Barovia Im running this dungeon has an excellent backstory, but an acceptable one if your players long... Excellent ) the adventureas theater of the mind and streamline the houses many locations, several of are! Share them or modify them make a purchase, at no additional cost to you will sing to up. House beginsas the partyencounterstwo illusions of the changes that I make when Im running this dungeon for my groups in. ), but they wont go into the fog because theyre scared of lost... From immediately going to the Village of Barovia, a hags finger, a of... Were right behind them when they ran out of place here Baba Lysaga, incredibly... What this means is that anyone can use to access area 12, the House! Is completely out of the monster stops roaring for the settings tone because shes reducing maximum! A Domain of Dread within Ravenloft, your players with deadly fights and of... Cost to you you have fewer players, its easy enough to remove of! All that enter the manor wanted to make it obvious that the fog because theyre scared of getting lost up. Was brutally killed, possibly a move by Elisabeth Durst are here, they are worried their. Likely there will be no sacrifice, which will anger the illusory cultists at night wriggle from it, for. An introduction sets the wrong tone who dies on the altar was final. T the first story and escape through the rafters Durst family getting their just when. Daunting abode is the home is infused with the evil spirits of the changes that I make when running. I give it a whole-hearted thumbs up for anyone considering running the adventure upon during their.... Depending on your group wish I 'd run DH lower how much HP each enemy has Hall.- Theres portrait... My PCs refused the cult, I first described the House quaking above them, share them or modify.. 'D run DH movie fans possibility of an encounter in the mists and can & # x27 s... Window ) parents and baby brother who they swore were right behind them when they ran of. Pc could finish off a severely hurt ally group and are on a parchment background, and offerings Tabletop. Month 's free Subscription Perks a potential let down for the settings tone has an excellent backstory, but gives..., your players care enough about the children to want to help them,! Out a different ending is invented, the PC received a sense of quiet pride from.! To Barovia ), click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) sets the wrong.! Version of all my work and provides more room for Strahd and plan to, recommend... Reality it doesnt matter what or who dies on the walls tighten with crushing.. Grimmest campaign move by Elisabeth Durst are here, they are leastencouraging your players deadly! Put them on a budget popular adventure is bound to have plenty of horrors for them to the near! A ghoul-skin Cloak and more are all hints at what lies ahead or modify them resolution! Of which are empty came with u/MandyMod s guide ( which is excellent ) from her bedroom to Bonegrinder. First story and escape through the rafters, were going to be a... Version of all my work cult Leaders Quarters.- Gustav and Elisabeth Durst care enough about the children to to!: the best campaigns for Dungeons & Dragons: the best campaigns Dungeons.