Chapter Overview
The Village of Barovia is the party’s first real taste of life under Strahd’s rule. Everything here is designed to establish the campaign’s tone: hopelessness, decay, and the faintest spark of resistance.
Prep Checklist
- Read Ismark and Ireena’s motivations — they’re your primary quest-givers
- Prepare Father Donavich and his son Doru’s tragic story
- Plan the burgomaster’s funeral scene
- Decide how Strahd makes his presence felt (wolves howling, bats watching, a distant silhouette on the castle)
Key NPCs
Ismark Kolyanovich (“Ismark the Lesser”)
Ismark desperately wants to protect his sister Ireena from Strahd. He’s brave but overwhelmed. Play him as earnest and slightly embarrassed by his reputation — the villagers call him “the Lesser” because he hasn’t accomplished anything notable.
Ireena Kolyana
Ireena has been bitten by Strahd twice. She’s not a damsel — she’s a capable, determined woman who refuses to cower. She wants to leave Barovia but won’t abandon her brother or her father’s memory.
Father Donavich
A broken priest who prays constantly for his son Doru, now a vampire spawn locked in the church undercroft. His faith is shattered. He’s terrified of what’s below but can’t bring himself to destroy his own child.
Common Pitfalls
- Rushing through the village — take at least one full session here
- Making Ireena passive — she should have opinions and make decisions
- Ignoring Doru — the church encounter is a powerful horror moment; don’t skip it
- Missing the funeral — the procession through a hostile village is incredibly atmospheric
Pacing
Plan for 1-2 sessions in the Village of Barovia before the party moves on to Tser Pool or Vallaki.