The party ventures into Castle Ravenloft, now abandoned and partially in ruins after the assault by Acererak’s forces. The once-great halls of the castle stand eerily silent, bearing the scars of the battle that drove its former master into hiding.
As they make their way deeper into the ruins, the party encounters a mysterious raven that seems determined to guide them. Following the creature through the darkened corridors, they eventually descend into the catacombs beneath Ravenloft, where they discover Strahd’s vampire coven hiding among the crypts.
Deep beneath the castle, the party finally comes face-to-face with Strahd von Zarovich.
Strahd’s hidden lair has been transformed into a makeshift war room. Maps of Barovia cover the walls and tables, marked with the movements and last-known locations of Acererak’s Marshals of Dread.
Strahd explains that he has been tracking the Marshals and offers the party a bargain. He will help them locate the remaining Marshals and defeat Acererak, but in return, the party must bring him all three pieces of the Voidgrave Rune.
Once assembled, Strahd believes the rune will dispel the powerful invisibility magic concealing Acererak’s stronghold: a demonic air train endlessly circling the skies above Barovia.
If the party helps him destroy Acererak and reclaim control of his domain, Strahd promises to honor his end of the bargain and return them to their home plane.
But Strahd also reveals something far more troubling.
Acererak has taken a particular interest in Kordyc. The lich desires the Duergar afflicted with lycanthropy as another specimen for his twisted collection. To protect him, Strahd gives Kordyc an enchanted amulet capable of concealing his presence from Acererak.
With an uneasy alliance formed, the party agrees to recover all three pieces of the Voidgrave Rune and work with Strahd to bring down the lich.
Leaving the ruins of Castle Ravenloft behind, the party begins traveling toward the last known location of the Scourge of the Night.
Along the road, they discover three bodies hanging upside down from the branches of a dead tree. Before they can determine exactly what happened, the party realizes they are being watched.
They have wandered into the hunting grounds of a group of Orthons.
The fiendish hunters have come to Barovia in search of dangerous prey.
After surviving the brutal hunt and defeating the Orthons, the party wastes little time lingering on the road.
Their next destination awaits.
The last known location of the Scourge of the Night.