This post is re-posted from Reddit where I didn't get much of a response, and you people know Ravenloft and Strahd's motivations much better. I am looking for ideas about how to proceed with the module where Ireena has been captured by Strahd early in the game.
Campaign background leading up to this situation...
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On the one hand, he can be assured that she is his forever by turning her directly, although she does not remember her life as Tatyana, only as Ireena. Then again, does he want her to remember? After all, Tatyana rejected Strahd (well, not as much as all that if you read I, Strahd) and threw herself into the mist, although one could argue it was in a moment of grief over Sergei, and she never knew that Strahd killed him.
Alternatively, he may try to present himself as a tragic hero, distance himself from the Burgomeister's death, or reveal a horrible truth about Kolyan (real or imagined) that will turn Ireena from her adoptive family. Perhaps Strahd could twist his origin story to become more appealing to her, preying on his strange familiarity to her and taking Sergei out of the picture, blaming her original death on the attempted coup by Leo Dilisnya, or portraying himself in Sergei's shoes as the groom.
There are problems with doing this present in Castle Ravenloft... Evidence of the wedding cake, Strahd's brides, Gertruda, etc. Strahd is smart, smart enough to remove the evidence, and he has never been so close as to have a Tatyana reincarnation back in the castle.
I am running a variant of Curse of Strahd where the heroes are able to influence Barovia. I am giving opportunities to restore tainted places to hallowed places through retrieving holy relics, giving the opportunity to cure the Abbot's madness (will be an Abbess in my game), sanctify the Amber Temple, etc. This allows more and more sunlight to appear during the daytime in Barovia. I don't think the heroes will go straight after Strahd, I have left the impression that Ireena is already done for, but we will see. If they do not pursue her, perhaps Strahd will be distracted for a time with his new toy until the heroes can no longer be ignored.
What do you people think? I'd love some ideas and inspirations especially from those of you deep into the lore.
(as a side note, I have also added Leo Dilisnya back into the picture, adding a Mausoleum on the Wachter Estate where his body remains entombed.)
TLDR: Strahd, appearing as Lord Vasili Von Holtz, has managed to convince Ireena to come away with him. Strahd has Ireena in his clutches - I need help figuring out what he does with her.