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Dungeons and Catacombs
Dungeons and Catacombs
the
Stakes
T h e E s s e n t i a l C u r s e o f S t r a h d C o m pa n ion
Gold Tier
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DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast, Curse of Strahd, Forgotten Realms, Ravenloft, Eber-
ron, the dragon ampersand, Ravnica and all other Wizards of the Coast product names, and their respective
logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast in the USA and other countries.
This work contains material that is copyright Wizards of the Coast and/or other authors.
All other original material in this work is copyright 2020 by Lunch Break Heroes and/or other authors.
Dungeon and Catacombs
S
ergei’s tomb and the tombs of King Barov and
Queen Ravenovia are extremely important A suppressed sobbing and crying echoes down the south-
to Strahd, yet there are no penalties to dese- ern steps. It is so pure in its suffering that it immediately
crating the former and the latter are not even fills your heart with sadness. It sounds faintly familiar as
accessible to Strahd himself. We have changed these well, and then you catch the meaning of one drawn-out
moan—a name: “Gertruda…”
areas so the players can understand their significance
and made them more logical parts of Strahd’s history.
Exploring some areas in the Dungeons and Cata- Gertruda, Mad Mary’s adult daughter, is currently re-
combs does not further the story of Curse of Strahd, siding in Castle Ravenloft with aspirations of becom-
despite of how much Strahd identifies with Castle ing a “bride”. After breaking out of her mother’s house,
Ravenloft, which he made into an edifice of his own Gertruda came to realize the full extent of the abuse
accomplishments and disappointments over the that she’d undergone, and eventually made her way to
century. We have modified these areas to gain more Strahd’s castle.
significance and make the characters realize that they Driven by her fury over her mother’s actions and her
are not exploring the ruins of any random castle, but own fairytale world view, Gertruda wanted her mother
of Strahd’s very soul itself. to get a taste of her own medicine. Strahd obliged her,
being all too willing to encourage the darker aspects
of his subjects’ personalities.
Video Companion Gertruda is now torn between her anger toward
Watch the companion video for this chapter on YouTube. her mother and her continued need for her mother’s
love. She makes regular visits to her Mary’s cell in the
dungeons to flaunt her new-found power and scream
Areas of the Dungeon abuses at her mother—but also to seek comfort in that
unique minute-by-minute turn of affection and hatred.
This section will cover revisions to the various areas
of the dungeons and catacombs of Castle Ravenloft. K76. Torture Chamber
Any area not listed here should be run as it is written
in the module, or as modified to your liking. Remove the Strahd zombies from this area; they
are no longer a threat at this point in the campaign
K74. North Dungeon and just an annoyance to go through due to their
mechanics.
The keys to be found in area K66 open the doors here
The torture chamber has seen recent use, however.
and in area K75. If Cyrus is with the party, you can
also decide to place the key ring on his person.
The steps leading from area K73 to the dungeon A bloodied body still hangs from one of the torture racks,
cells in area K74 and area K75 no longer lead down, upright, limp arms outstretched and bound, face hidden
behind blood-matted hair. As you look upon the horrific
but up. This leaves areas K73 and K76 flooded to a
display, an involuntary shudder comes over you—and the
depth of 3 feet, but the cells themselves are dry.
feeling that you are being watched…
Inside of area K74e is a fresh corpse, recently
drained of blood. Five rounds after a character enters
this cell, either via K81 or K73, the corpse rises as a Strahd has only recently been here, for entertainment;
hungry vampire spawn and attacks. see the description of area K77.
At your discretion, you may swap any well-known
K75. South Dungeon NPC in the game (who is not traveling with the party
currently) for the anonymous dead body in this room.
Unlike the module as written, Emil is now located This is especially encouraged if there is an NPC that
at Tsolenka Pass, rather than in these dungeons. In has been especially kind or helpful to the characters.
Emil’s place, the characters will find Mad Mary from
the village of Barovia. At the request of her daughter, K77. Observatory Balcony
Gertruda, Mary was captured and incarcerated here
by Rahadin shortly after the characters’ departure When the group investigates this area, they discover
from the village. that someone must have been here not too long ago.
When characters first arrive in this area, read: Standing on a mahogany table between the thrones
is a tall crystal glass with a few remaining sips of
red liquid. The faint steam rising from it in the cold