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Encounters For CoS
Encounters For CoS
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youtube.com/dungeonsmith 13 1d6 ghouls
ith the help of the Tarokka card 14 2d4 giant wolf spiders
system to randomize some of the most 15 1d6 dusk elf scouts
crucial elements of the adventure, Curse
16 2d4 vine blights
of Strahd is at its core designed to be
easy to replay and to offer a different 17 3d6 skeletons
experience each time it is played. The 18 1 wood woad˅
adventure is a personal favorite of mine
and I have run it a few times and it is my genuine hope 19 1d4 wights
to return to Barovia many more times in the future. 20 1 flesh golem
Something that I found could use a bit of expanding
however are the random encounters. There are many
great encounters in the adventure already but after a
while I found myself running out of new ones to throw
in my players’ way. So I wrote up a list of encounters
to complement the ones in the adventure. Below you
will find new lists of both outdoor encounters and
encounters for Castle Ravenloft itself. Hopefully these
will help you to keep the dangers of Barovia fresh and
surprising to players who may have already dared to
step into the mists once before.
Most stat blocks for NPC´s and monsters can be
found in the Monster Manual. All such creatures
names are marked in Bold. If the creature can be
found in Appendix D of the Curse of Strahd their name
is followed by an asterix (*). A few mostly optional
monsters are from Volo´s Guide to Monsters. These are
marked with a ˅ after their name.
Familiar
d6 Encounter
1-2 Cat Passive Perception 13
3-4 Snake Passive Perception 10.
5-6 Toad Passive Perception 11
Bones
|A flash of white in the underbrush catches your eye.|
Flesh Golem
|Heavy footsteps echo out of the mist soon followed
by a 8-feet tall figure walking with single minded
determination towards you.|
Perhaps by the blessing of Mother Night, the whims The rest of the ghouls come rushing
of nature or more likely by the will of Strahd, the out of the mist soon after.
moon has been allowed to shine down freely upon the
lands of Barovia. The moonlight makes it easier to
navigate without using light sources, giving of a dim
light, however there is added risk as all the those who
worship Mother Night run out to bask under the full
moon. The clear skies last for 1d4 hours. During that
time, check for encounters every 15 min instead of
every 30 min. In addition, check for encounters even
if the party has had two random encounters in the last
12 hours. Should the players end up having more than
four random encounters in a 12 hour period, then stop
checking for more random encounters.
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Giant Spiders
This encounter only occurs if the characters are
travelling through wilderness. If the characters are
travelling by road, then treat this result as no encounter
or roll again on the table. The players have stumbled
into a nest of giant spiders. If the lead character has
a passive Wisdom (Perception) of 15 or more they
manage to spot a spider web blocking the path ahead in
time to stop. If not then the character stumbles into the
web. See the Dungeon Masters Guide page 105 for the
effects of giant spider webs. Regardless, read:
Limping Mastiff
|You hear a soft whining up ahead as a large dog slowly
walks out from behind a tree. The mastiff seems to be
hurt as it has one of its front legs pulled up against its
body and is hobbling along on three legs.|
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Mongrelfolk
|The sound of branches breaking and the rustling of the
underbrush draws your gaze into the forest. You spot
several hunched, misshapen figures moving through the
fog.|
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Vampire Spawn wagon) are making their way towards the closest vistani
camp (either the Tzer pool encampment or the one
|The light of a campfire catches your eye. Sitting around outside of Vallaki) after returning from a trip abroad.
the fire is a motley crew of humanoids, not too unlike They will stop if flagged down and they offer to sell one
yourselves. Their dress and armor don’t match what you or more “magical” potions to anyone showing interest
have seen in use by the people of this land.| in their wares for 3 times what they are worth in the
Players Handbook unless a different price is stated
The setup is a ruse to lure the party in. This group of below. They have 1d4+1 potions for sale. Roll 1d8 to
vampire spawn were once adventurers before they determine the nature of each potion.
were felled by Strahd. They have now been sent out by
their master to test the strength of the party and their Potions
tactics. If defeat seems unavoidable they will try to flee d8 Item
back to castle Ravenloft so they can report back what
they have learned to Strahd. On subsequent encounters 1 Acid
with vampire spawn they will attempt other ways to 2 Alchemist’s fire
ambush the party and to undermine their trust in the
3 Antitoxin
people of Barovia.
4 Holy water
Vine Blights 5 Concoction of burning (Oil, 50g)
This encounter only occurs if the characters are
6 Potion of charm (Fine Perfume, 50g)
travelling through wilderness and not on a road.
Otherwise treat this encounter as no encounter or roll 7 Potion of healing
again on the table. The vine blights are hiding amongst 8 Potion to escape the mists around Barovia
the underbrush close to the path, some of their tendrils (colored water, 50g)
stretched out across it, appearing as normal roots and
vines. When the party passes through the middle of At the DM´s discretion they may have other rare items
the blights the plants will suddenly animate and attack, that may be hard to usually find in Barovia for sale such
read: as spell foci, weapons and armor.
|The roots around your feet suddenly start moving,
Wights
wrapping themselves around your legs as vines shoot
|Dark silhouettes approach out of the mist, their
out of the nearby bushes. Several vaguely humanoid
weapons drawn and at the ready.|
creatures made from twisting vines slowly rise all
around you.|
These wights have been tasked by Strahd to seek out
the party. If the party isn’t considered much of a threat
Vistani Wagon they will simply charge out at them and attack. However,
|You see a horse-drawn barrel-topped wagon make its should they have made a name for themselves, the
way up the road. Sitting on the box are two colorfully wights will first have spent some time creating fodder
dressed humans.| for their confrontation. Should that be the case 3d4
zombies will emerge out of the mist to attack the party
The Vistani (1d6+1 CN male and female bandits, two first while the wights harass them from afar with their
are on top of the box, the rest of them are inside the bows, charging into combat once the characters have
tired themselves out by dealing with the zombies.
Wood Woad
This wood woad˅ was created by the druids of the land
long ago and the secret to create more may have been
lost with time. It still serves the druids of the land and
is out on some dark mission on behalf of them, perhaps
to seek vengeance on the party. As the characters draw
near it will attempt to hide using its natural camouflage
and catch them by surprise. If spotted, read:
|At the edge of the forest you see a small misshapen tree
that looks surprisingly humanoid in its shape, a dark
hollow where its face should be. As you stare at it two
bright lights appear inside of the hollow where its eyes
should be and the creature lurches towards you.|
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Castle Ravenloft Random Encounters 4 A nutcracker doll carved and painted to
The first time characters enter an area of the castle that isn’t look like Strahd von Zarovich.
otherwise occupied check for a random encounter. Also check for a 5 A pinwheel. Its blades are modeled after
random encounter every 10 minutes the characters spend resting the Old Bonegrinder.
in the castle.
In most cases a random encounter should occur on a roll of 18 6 A small wooden box in the shape of a
or higher on a d20. To determine what the characters encounter, coffin with a set of jacks made out of bones
consult the table below. inside of it.
Animated armors
|Several well polished suits of armor line the walls.|
These animated armors have been created by Strahd and sent Book
to hinder the party. They remain still and lifeless until a character |You see a discarded tome lying on the floor, it is covered by a thin
approaches within 5 feet of them, attacks them or half the party layer of dust.|
has passed by them. The armors fight until they are destroyed.
Someone left a book here some time ago, there is nothing sinister
about its nature, although a party that have faced mimics and traps
Blinsky toy
may believe so. Use the table on page 66 of the Curse of Strahd to
|An odd looking toy lies discarded in the dust ahead.|
determine its subject matter.
The toy has a slogan stitched or printed on it in tiny letters: “Is No
Fun, Is No Blinsky!”. Roll a d6 to determine the specific toy.
Toys
d6 Item
1 Randomly determine one of the characters.
This toy is a doll that looks exactly like that
person, with the exception that someone
has violently twisted the head around to face
backwards. The doll’s face has an expression
of pain and fear.
2 A hobby-horse that is carved and painted to
look like as if it was made from a horse’s skull
and spine.
3 A spinning top. When it spins fast enough
it lets out a sound much like that of a terrified
human shriek.
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Corpse Ghouls
|A still figure lies ahead.| |A hunched figure sits in the darkness ahead of you,
facing away. A chomping and tearing sound tells you
The characters have found a corpse. Roll a d6 to that they are eating something.|
determine the nature of the body.
Corpse A pack of ghouls are feasting on the remains of
d6 Encounter unfortunate villager who wandered into the castle.
If there is more than one ghoul the rest of the pack
1-2 The body belongs to someone the party
are further ahead with the rest of the body. They are
knows. Their face frozen in horror, their neck
currently distracted but approaching them or making
broken. Choose an NPC the characters would
any noise or sound will alert them to the party. If that
recognize. They have been brought here and
happens adjust the description as needed and read:
killed to taunt the party.
3-4 The remains of a vampire feeding. The corpse |As you approach the figure it goes silent and slowly
is that of a barovian villager whose throat has turns around to face you. The creature’s face is covered
been ripped out. There is surprisingly little in blood, pieces of flesh hanging out of its mouth. In its
blood for such a violent death and the body is clawed hands it holds a partially eaten severed human
still warm. arm. Its maw descends into an unnaturally extended
5-6 The corpse is a strahd zombie*. It radiates gape as it screams.|
necromantic magic to anyone using detect
magic on the body. As soon as a character The rest of the pack will rush to join their comrade as
moves within 5 feet of it or it is attacked, the soon as combat breaks out, either hearing its cry or the
zombie animates and attacks. sound of battle. The ghouls fight until they are destroyed.
Ghostly destination
d6 Location
1 Heart of sorrow (Area K20)
2 Audience hall (K25)
3 hamberlain’s office (Area K72)
4 South dungeon (Area K75)
5 Brazier room (Area K78)
6 Catacombs (Area K84)
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Glyph of warding
A glyph of warding has recently been cast here. It can
be spotted by a character who has a passive Wisdom
(Perception) score of 15 or more. If spotted, read:
Lone bat
|A small dark figure flies out of the shadows, letting out
a high pitched shriek.|
Shadow Demon
The shadow demon will attempt to stealthily follow the
characters until they are at their most vulnerable before
attacking. Perhaps when the characters are already
engaged in combat with another of the castle’s denizens,
they attempt to rest or if the terrain is to its advantage.
The demon will be especially cautious if it sees that they
possess the sunsword as it is vulnerable to its light. Roll
a stealth roll for the shadow demon and compare it to
the character’s passive Wisdom (Perception) scores. If
any character beats the demon, read:
|One of the shadows leans out and away from the wall.
As it emerges you see that it is vaguely humanoid and it
has two large horns that curve out from its head and a
pair of large wings that flair out behind it as it detaches
from the wall.|
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Skeletons Swarms of rats
|With a rattling of bones and a rustling of chain a |You hear the skittering of untold tiny clawed feet
skeletal figure appears out of the darkness.| approaching quickly.|
These skeletons once served in the guard of castle These swarms of rats are servants of Strahd and rush
Ravenloft before they were killed by Strahd. They have to attack the party.
been brought back to serve once more and mimic the
duties they had in life. The skeletons will attack any Wraith
intruders and fight until destroyed. |The temperature of the room seems to fall as a dark
figure emerges from out of the wall.|
Specter
|A spectral figure emerges with a shriek of anguish The wraith is a faithful servant of Strahd and will do
and rage out of the floor, its eyes burning with hatred its best to end their existence. If it has the chance it will
towards you.| convert any fallen characters into specters. Unlike many
other foes the party risk facing in castle Ravenloft the
This specter was once a soldier of castle Ravenloft or wraith is intelligent and cunning. It will retreat if it is
an adventurer who came here seeking their fortune. close to destruction so that it can return later to harass
Nothing remains of them now but hatred for the living them. If destroyed this wraith cannot be encountered
and it will fight until it is destroyed. again. Treat this result as no encounter or roll again for
a different encounter.
Strahd Zombies
|You hear slow-moving footfalls and the sound of
dragging feet approaching. Then the smell hits you, the
More Like this
smell of rot and decay.| If you enjoyed this product then you may also enjoy
some of the other titles that I have released on the DM’s
These strahd zombies* are patrolling the castle and Guild.
have yet to discover the party. If the characters are quick • Additional Random Encounters
they can attempt to hide. The zombies will attack any for Out of the Abyss
living creature they find and will fight until destroyed. • The Hags of Red Rocks
• Mythic Demon Princes
Or if your looking for a player option that fits into a
Ravenloft game, why not take a loot at:
• Mongrelfolk Player Race
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