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''Count Strahd von Zarovich'' is the [[Vampire]] [[darklord]] of [[Barovia]].  He rules the land publicly from [[Castle Ravenloft]] as Strahd XI, supposedly a descendant of Strahd I, but actually the same man. He once had two brothers, [[Sergei von Zarovich]] and [[Sturm von Zarovich]], but murdered [[Sergei]] on his wedding day in an attempt to claim Sergi's bride, [[Tatyana Federovna]].  This is the final act that caused him to become the first known [[darklord]]. He is now cursed to hunt and lose the reincarnations of Tatyana.
[[File:Strahd_by_Talon.jpg|thumb|alt=Strahd von Zarovich, by Talon Dunning|Strahd von Zarovich, by Talon Dunning]]
{{canon}}
[[Count Strahd von Zarovich]] is the [[Vampire]] [[darklord]] of [[Barovia]].<ref name="DoD p.61">[[Domains of Dread]] p.61</ref><ref name="Gaz I p.150">[[Gazetteer I]] p.150</ref> He rules the land publicly from [[Castle Ravenloft]] as Strahd XI, supposedly a descendant of Strahd I, but actually the same man.<ref name="Gazetteer I p.28">[[Gazetteer I]] p.28</ref> Strahd murdered his younger brother [[Sergei von Zarovich]] on his wedding day in an attempt to claim Sergi's bride, [[Tatyana Federovna]].  This is the final act that caused him to become the first known [[darklord]]. Tatyana rejected his love and jumped to her death from the walls of [[Castle Ravenloft]].<ref name="DoD p.14-15">[[Domains of Dread]] p.14-15</ref><ref name="R3e p.4, 12">[[Ravenloft Third Edition]] p.4, 12</ref><ref name="RPHB p.4, 14">[[Ravenloft Player's Handbook]] p.4, 14</ref> Strahd is now [[cursed]] to hunt and lose the reincarnations of Tatyana.<ref name="DoD p.62">[[Domains of Dread]] p.62</ref><ref name="Gaz I p.151">[[Gazetteer I]] p.151</ref>


Strahd [[poisoned]] his great niece [[Lyssa von Zarovich]] as punishment for her plotting against him.
Strahd was nobly born to [[Count Barov von Zarovich|Barov von Zarovich]] and [[Countess Ravenia von Zarovich|Ravenia van Roeyen]]<ref name="Gaz I p. 17">[[Gaz 1]], p 17.</ref> in [[Prime Material Barovia]] in [[299 BC]].<ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref><ref name="R3e p.12">[[Ravenloft Third Edition]] p.12</ref><ref name="RPHB p.14">[[Ravenloft Player's Handbook]] p.14</ref> He was the older brother of [[Sergei]] and [[Sturm]].
 
Strahd spent the first few decades of his adult life in his war with the [[Terg]]s that had invaded and occupied Barovia. In perhaps the most critical moment in his war against the [[foreigner|foreign]] [[invader]]s, Strahd [[called]] the fiend [[Inajira]] in the hope of securing victory at the cost of his soul.<ref name="Gazetteer I p. 142>[[Gazetteer I]] p.142</ref> Strahd largely managed to escape the [[arcanaloth]]'s foul contract with the contract he made with Death that gave him eternal life, or [[undead|unlife]] as the case may be. However, Strahd merely traded one form of damnation for another, as this horrible pact ultimately led to Strahd becoming an all but [[immortal]] [[darklord]].<ref name="DoD p.14-15">[[Domains of Dread]] p.14-15</ref><ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref><ref name="R3e p.4, 12">[[Ravenloft Third Edition]] p.4, 12</ref><ref name="RPHB p.4, 14">[[Ravenloft Player's Handbook]] p.4, 14</ref>
 
Throughout his long history as darklord of Barovia, Strahd has come into conflict with many who would challenge his dominance. For example, his great niece, [[Lyssa von Zarovich]], transformed herself into a [[vampire]] to challenge his rule. She also conspired with [[the High Master Illithid]] to generate a race of [[illithid vampire]]s to depose Strahd, but the plan failed.<ref name="Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p. 34">[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.34</ref><ref>[[Thoughts of Darkness]]</ref> With the help of [[Emil Bollenbach]], Strahd [[poisoned]] Lyssa as punishment for her plotting against him, causing her to fall into a debilitating slumber.<ref name="CotN:V p.21-26">[[Children of the Night: Vampires]] p.21-26</ref>


==Errata==
==Errata==
Line 7: Line 13:
* Pg. 150  
* Pg. 150  


:Stygian Inquirer: Strahd's ranged and melee attacks are wrong. He has a higher ranged than melee attack, but his Strength is greater than his Dexterity and he wields a weapon magic weapon too. I have done the math the the attacks should look like this:  
:Stygian Inquirer: Strahd's ranged and melee attacks are wrong. He has a higher ranged than melee attack, but his Strength is greater than his Dexterity and he wields a magic weapon too. I have done the math the the attacks should look like this:  


::Atk +20 melee (1d6+8 and energy drain, slam) or +25/+20/+15 melee (1d10+14, +4 bastard sword) or +19/+14/+9 ranged (1d8+6, +2 mighty composite longbow); I got these number via the following. The BAB for a Ftr 4/Nec 16 is 12/7/2. For the melee attack, you add +8 for STR mod, +4 for the bastard sword and +1 for weapon focus (bastard sword). For the ranged attack, you add +5 for DEX mod and +2 for the bow.  
::Atk +20 melee (1d6+8 and energy drain, slam) or +25/+20/+15 melee (1d10+14, +4 bastard sword) or +19/+14/+9 ranged (1d8+6, +2 mighty composite longbow); I got these number via the following. The BAB for a Ftr 4/Nec 16 is 12/7/2. For the melee attack, you add +8 for STR mod, +4 for the bastard sword and +1 for weapon focus (bastard sword). For the ranged attack, you add +5 for DEX mod and +2 for the bow.  


:Also the 3.5 DR would be 25/silver and magic as per the RL:PHB entry per an 'ancient' vampire.  
:Also the 3.5 DR would be 25/[[Silver Weapon|silver]] and [[Magic Weapon|magic]] as per the RL:PHB entry per an [[Ancient Vampire]] .
 
==Strahd's Allies==
* (In [[Curse of Strahd]]) [[Baba Lysaga]] (Unacknowledged by Strahd)
* [[Beucephalus]] ([[Mount]])
* (In [[Curse of Strahd]]) The [[berserker]]s and [[druid]]s of [[Yester Hill]]
* (In [[Curse of Strahd]]) The [[Children of Mother Night]]
* [[Wachter Family]]
* [[Zarovan Tribe]]
**[[Madame Eva]]
 
==Strahd's Creations==
During his time in [[the Mists]], Strahd has developed a number of distinct creations, particularly in the areas of [[spell]]s and [[undead]] unique to him.
*[[Book]]s written by Strahd
**[[The Tome of Strahd]]
* {{netbook-small}}[[Ring of Mortal Mimicry]]
*Spells
**[[Augment Undead]]
**[[Ground Fog]]
**[[Misty Summons]]
**[[Neverending Nightmare]]
**[[Strahd's Baneful Attractor]]
**[[Strahd's Frightful Joining]]
**[[Strahd's Malefic Meld]]
**[[Soul Anchor]]
**[[Suppress Lycanthropy]]
*[[Spider Hound]]
*[[Strahd Undead]]
**[[Strahd Skeleton]]
**[[Strahd's Skeletal Steed]]
**[[Strahd Zombie]]
 
==[[:category:Foe of Count Strahd von Zarovich|Strahd's Enemies]]==
*[[Ardonk Szerieza]] and other [[Gundarakite Rebel|Gundarakite rebel]]s<ref name="Gaz I p.19">[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.19</ref>
*[[Azalin Rex]]<ref name=Rootevil>[[Roots of Evil]]</ref><ref name="RL3E p.130">[[Ravenloft Third Edition]] p.130></ref><ref name="RLPHB p.132">[[Ravenloft Player's Handbook]] p.132</ref>
*[[The Dawnslayers]]<ref>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.24</ref>
*[[Duke Nharov Gundar]]<ref name="Gaz I p.19">[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.19</ref>
*[[Dr. Rudolph Van Richten]]
*[[Inajira]]<ref name=Rootevil>[[Roots of Evil]]</ref><ref>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.142</ref>
*[[The Keepers of the Black Feather]]<ref>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.38</ref>
*[[Lord Leo Dilisnya]]<ref name="Gaz I p.13">[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.13</ref>
*[[Lord Soth]]<ref>[[Knight of the Black Rose]]</ref>
*[[Lyssa von Zarovich]]<ref>[[Children of the Night: Vampires]] p.20-26</ref><ref>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.34</ref>
*[[Zartin the Red]]<ref>[[Van Richten's Guide to Fiends]]</ref>


==Statistics==
==Statistics==
[[Figther]] 4 / [[Necromancer]] 16, [[Chaotic Evil]]
[[Fighter]] 4 / [[Necromancer]] 16, [[Chaotic Evil]]<ref name="Gaz I p.150">[[Gazetteer I]] p.150</ref>
 
==Chronology==
* [[299 BC]] Strahd is born.<ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref><ref name="R3e p.12">[[Ravenloft Third Edition]] p.12</ref><ref name="RPHB p.14">[[Ravenloft Player's Handbook]] p.14</ref>
* [[320 BC]] Strahd gains the military rank of [[general]].<ref name="R3e p.12">[[Ravenloft Third Edition]] p.12</ref><ref name="RPHB p.14">[[Ravenloft Player's Handbook]] p.14</ref>
* [[320 BC]] [[Terg|Tergs]] invade [[Barovia]].<ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref><ref name="Gaz I p. 17">[[Gaz 1]], p 17.</ref>
* [[326 BC]] The [[Siege of Krezk]] occurs.<ref name="Gaz I p. 17">[[Gaz 1]], p 17.</ref>
* [[333 BC]] [[Tatyana]], the future lover of Sergei von Zarovich and target for Strahd von Zarovich's desire, is born.<ref name=RoTp.127>[[Realm of Terror]] p.127</ref>
* [[346 BC]] [[Count Barov von Zarovich|Count Barov]] and [[Countess Ravenia von Zarovich]] slain by [[Terg|Tergs]].<ref name="Gaz I p. 17">[[Gaz 1]], p 17.</ref>
* [[347 BC]][[Strahd]] makes a pact with [[Inajira]] right before a critical battle with the [[Tergs]].<ref name="Gazetteer I p. 142>[[Gazetteer I]] p.142</ref>
* [[347 BC]] Last of the [[Terg|Tergs]] driven from [[Barovia]].<ref name="Gaz I p. 17">[[Gaz 1]], p 17.</ref><ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref> Strahd takes the rule over Barovia as the prize for his victory.<ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref>
* [[349 BC]] [[Castle Ravenloft]] completed.<ref name="Gaz I p. 17">[[Gaz 1]], p 17.</ref> [[Strahd]] assumes [[residence]] there.<ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref>
* [[350 BC]] [[Count Strahd von Zarovich]], [[Commander Alek Gwilym]], [[Sergei von Zarovich]], and [[Lieutenant Falov]] lead a military strike force to defeat [[Red Lukas]] and his gang of [[bandit]]s.<ref name="I, Strahd p. 73-85">[[I, Strahd]] p.73-85</ref>
* [[350 BC]] The [[Ba'al Verzi]] try and fail to assassinate [[Count Strahd von Zarovich]].<ref name="Gaz I p. 17">[[Gaz 1]], p 17.</ref>
* [[351 BC]] [[Barovia]] forms due the actions of [[Strahd von Zarovich]].<ref>[[Gaz 1]], pp 10, 16.</ref><ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref><ref name="I, Strahd">[[I, Strahd]]</ref> [[Strahd]] turns into a [[vampire]].<ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref><ref name="I, Strahd">[[I, Strahd]]</ref>
* [[352 BC]] [[Strahd]] flexes his muscles to show domination over [[Barovia]].<ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref><ref name="I, Strahd">[[I, Strahd]]</ref>
* [[398 BC]] [[Count Strahd von Zarovich]] confronts [[Lord Leo Dilisnya]] at the [[Monastery of Silver Threads]], walking into Lord Dilisnya's trap. Strahd is almost put down, but the [[monk]]s of the [[monastery]] act to turn the tide of battle. Strahd turns Lord Leo Dilisnya into a [[vampire]] and [[Imprisoned|imprisons]] him in a [[The Tomb of Leo Dilisnya|tomb]] to starve from a lack of [[blood]].<ref name="Gaz I p.13">[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.13</ref><ref name="I, Strahd">[[I, Strahd]]</ref>
* [[400 BC]] First known [[reincarnation]] of [[Tatyana]].<ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref><ref name="I, Strahd">[[I, Strahd]]</ref>
*According to a version of [[Strahd]]'s diary ready by [[van Richten]] in [[736 BC]], [[Alina]], the second [[:category:Reincarnation of Tatyana Federovna|reincarnation of Tatyana Federovna]] dies of [[fever]] in this year of 445 BC. [[Count Strahd]] attempts [[suicide]] with Alina in  hand, but [[the Mists]] prevent him and snatch away her [[corpse]].<ref name="I, Strahd: The War Against Azalin">[[I, Strahd: The War Against Azalin]]</ref> However, this goes against a version of Strahd's diary read by [[Jander Sunstar]] that says Tatyana's second reincarnation was [[Olya Ivanova]] who died 30 years later in [[475 BC]]<ref>[[Vampire of the Mists]] p. 266-267</ref>
* Sometime between [[450 BC]] and [[460 BC]]: [[Gregorri Kolyan]] the [[bard]] is held captive by Strahd fo several years. Kolyan is ultimately let go with the story of Strahd's past.<ref>[[Van Richten's Guide to Vampires]] p.6-9</ref><ref>[[Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium I]] p.10-13</ref>
* [[470 BC]] The [[Vistani]] appear in [[Barovia]] for the first time.<ref name="Gaz I p. 17">[[Gaz 1]], p 17.</ref>
* [[470 BC]] [[Madame Eva and Strahd form an alliance]].<ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref>
* [[485 BC]] [[Petya]] and [[Anastasia Petrovich]] killed by [[Strahd]]<ref name="VotM">[[VotM]]</ref>
* [[499 BC]] [[Alexi "Sasha" Petrovich]], [[Leisl]], and [[Jander Sunstar]] assault [[Castle Ravenloft]] drive [[Strahd]] into hibernation.<ref name="VotM">[[VotM]]</ref>
* [[525 BC]] [[Lyssa von Zarovich]] is born.<ref name="Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p. 34">[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.34</ref>
* [[528 BC]] [[Outlander]] [[adventurer]]s assault [[Castle Ravenloft]] and are destroyed.<ref name="Gaz I p.18">[[Gazetteer I]] p.18</ref><ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref><ref>[[House of Strahd]]</ref>
* [[542 BC]] [[Azalin]] enters [[Ravenloft]] and arrives in [[Barovia]].<ref name="GazII p.135">[[Gazetteer II]] p.135</ref><ref>[[King of the Dead]]</ref><ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref> Reluctantly, he serves [[Strahd]] for a time.<ref name="King of the Dead">[[King of the Dead]]</ref><ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref>
* [[542 BC]] [[Strahd]] discusses the potential threat [[Azalin]] poses with [[Madame Ilka]], the new raunie of the [[Zarovan]] tribe ([[Maruschka]] having apparently died at some point in the last 40 years).  <ref>[[I, Strahd, The War Against Azalin]] - p71, pp109-117, pp167-171</ref>
</onlyinclude>
* [[547 BC]] [[Forlorn]] appears.<ref>[[Gazetteer I]] p.63</ref> Strahd sends Azalin to investigate, but nothing of value to them is found.<ref>[[Gazetteer I]] p.73-74</ref>
* [[550 BC]] [[Lyssa von Zarovich]] becomes a [[vampire]] and discovers a way to achieve the power of a vampire much greater than her age.<ref name="Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p. 34">[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.34</ref>
* [[579 BC]] [[Strahd]] and [[Azalin]] create a [[portal]] to [[Mordent]]<ref name="GazII p.135">[[Gazetteer II]] p.135</ref>, where [[The Alchemist]] conducts strange research on changing the soul.<ref>[[I10: Ravenloft II: The House on Gryphon Hill]]</ref> [[The Mists]] snatch up [[Mordent]] before either [[Strahd]] or [[Azalin]] can make good their escape, leaving them with only hazy dream-like recollections of what happened.<ref name="GazII p.135">[[Gazetteer II]] p.135</ref>
* [[579 BC]] [[Azalin]] leaves the service of [[Strahd]].<ref name="King of the Dead">[[King of the Dead]]</ref><ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref> [[Darkon]] forms.<ref name="Gazetteer II p. 9">[[Gazetteer II]] p.9</ref><ref name="King of the Dead">[[King of the Dead]]</ref><ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref>
* [[593 BC]] The domain of [[Gundarak]] appears.<ref name="Gaz I p.18">[[Gazetteer I]] p.18</ref><ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref>
* [[593 BC]] First known contact between [[Barovian]]s and [[Gundarakite]]s.<ref name="Gaz I p.18">[[Gazetteer I]] p.18</ref>
* [[613 BC]] (approximately) Strahd encounters [[Harkon Lukas]] running amok in Barovia and thoroughly thrashes him, forcing Harkon to flee into [[the Mists]].<ref>[[Domains of Dread]] p.16, 64</ref>
* [[718 BC]] [[Tara Kolyana]] is born. Not too long thereafter, her parents flee [[Barovia]] to go to [[Hazlan]].<ref name="Gazetteer I p. 144">[[Gazetteer I]] p.144</ref>
* [[735 BC]] [[Tara Kolyana]] experiences her first brush with the supernatural with an [[afflicted lycanthrope|afflicted]] [[werewolf]]. After witnessing the man become [[cured]], Tara resolves to help people throughout the [[Land of Mists]]. Her parents make her promise to never to go to [[Barovia]].<ref name="Gazetteer I p. 144">[[Gazetteer I]] p.144</ref>
* [[736 BC]] [[Duke Gundar]] is [[assassinated]].<ref name="Gaz I p.19">[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.19</ref><ref name="DoD p.17">[[Domains of Dread]] p.17</ref>
* [[739 BC]] [[Lyssa von Zarovich]] conspires with [[Bluetspurean]] [[illithid]]s to create a [[illithid vampire|vampiric version of their race]]. She hopes to use these vampire mind flayers to take over [[Barovia]], but she ultimately fails.<ref name="Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p. 34">[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.34</ref><ref>[[Thoughts of Darkness]]</ref>
* [[740 BC]] '''[[The Great Upheaval]]'''.
* [[740 BC]] [[Strahd]] begins the annexation of [[Gundarak]].<ref name="Gaz I p.19">[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.19</ref>
* [[750 BC]] [[Strahd]] poisons [[Lyssa von Zarovich]] into a slumbering state that leaves her active for only a few hours each night.<ref name="Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p. 34">[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.34</ref> The [[poison]] is delivered via the [[blood]] of the [[dread flesh golem]] [[Tom]] (created by [[Emil Bollenbach]]) that acts as a stand-in for a [[human]] she hoped to enslave.<ref name="CotN:V p.21-26">[[Children of the Night: Vampires]] p.21-26</ref>
* [[753 BC]]: On his deathbed, [[Tara Kolyana]]'s father expresses how proud he is of her and tells her of the [[:category:prophecy|prophecy]] the [[Vistani]] gave about her and why they left [[Barovia]].<ref name="Gazetteer I p. 144">[[Gazetteer I]] p.144</ref>
* [[753 BC]]: [[Count Strahd von Zarovich]] personally [[execution|executes]] [[Burgomaster Shaithis Vosrovna]] for goating [[adventurer]]s into the [[murder]] of one of the [[Vistani]]..<ref>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer I]], p35.</ref>
 
==TSR Collector Cards==
Strahd's [[TSR 1991 Collector Card]] numbers are 489 and 611. His [[TSR 1992 Collector Card]] numbers are 285 and 608.
 
==Appearances==
 
===[[Modules]]===
*[[1st Edition]]
**[[I6: Ravenloft]]
**[[I10: The House on Gryphon Hill]]
*[[2nd Edition]]
**[[Thoughts of Darkness]] (referenced only)
**[[From the Shadows]] ([[time travel]] sequence)
**[[Roots of Evil]]
**[[House of Strahd]]
**Lyssa von Zarovich's module in [[Children of the Night: Vampires]]
**[[Farewell to the Flesh]] ([[RPGA]] module)
*[[3rd Edition]]
**[[Expedition to Castle Ravenloft]] (not in continuity with Ravenloft campaign setting)
*[[4th Edition]]
**[[Fair Barovia]] ([[Dungeon Magazine]], online)
**[[Strahd and Van Richten]] ([[Dragon magazine #416]], online)
*[[5th Edition]]
**[[Curse of Strahd]]
 
===[[Novel]]s, short stories, and other fiction===
*[[Master of Ravenloft]] ([[AD&D Adventure Gamebook]])
*[[Vampire of the Mists]]
*[[Knight of the Black Rose]]
*[[I, Strahd, The Memoirs of a Vampire]]
*[[Tales of Ravenloft]]: [[The Crucible of Dr. Rudolph van Richten]] (referenced only), [[Tales of Ravenloft: Caretaker|Caretaker]]
*[[I, Strahd, The War Against Azalin]]
*[[Interview of the Lost Boys in the Dark Shadows of Ravenloft]] ([[Dragon Magazine]], humor comic/non-canonical)
*[[For Every Vengeance There is an Equal and Opposite Revengeance]] ([[Dragon Magazine]], humor comic/non-canonical)
 
===Video and computer games===
*[[Strahd's Possession]] (later included in several compilations)
*[[Iron & Blood: Warriors of Ravenloft]]


==References==
==References==
<references />
<references />
[[Category:NPC]]
[[category:Character]][[category:NPC]]
[[category:1st Edition Character]]
[[category:2nd Edition Character]]
[[category:3rd Edition Character]]
[[category:4th Edition Character]]
[[category:5th Edition Character]]
[[category:Amicicide]]
[[Category:Ancient Vampire]]
[[Category:Arcane Loremaster]]
[[category:Amicicide]]
[[Category:Artist]]
[[Category:Barovian (Prime Material Plane)]]
[[category:Betrayer]]
[[category:Challenge 15]]
[[Category:Chaotic Evil]]
[[category:Commander]]
[[Category:Count of Barovia]]
[[Category:Count]]
[[Category:Darklord]]
[[Category:Darklord]]
[[Category:Transgressor]]
[[category:Darklord (Domain Lord Magnitude of Evil)]]
[[Category:Dancer]]
[[category:Delegator]]
[[Category:Demonologist]]
[[Category:Fiend Summoner]]
[[category:Fighter]]
[[category:Foe of Azalin Rex]]
[[category:Foe of Duke Gundar]]
[[category:Foe of Jander Sunstar]]
[[category:Foe of Malocchio Aderre]]
[[category:Foe of Lord Soth]]
[[category:Foe of Rudolph van Richten]]
[[category:Foe of the Wanderers]]
[[Category:Former Inhabitants of Prime Material Barovia]]
[[Category:Fratricide]]
[[Category:Fratricide]]
[[Category:Poisoner]]
[[category:General]]
[[Category:Dancer]]
[[category:Hospiticide]]
[[Category:Organist]]
[[Category:Human]]
[[category:Imprisoner]]
[[category:Inhabitants of Castle Ravenloft]]
[[Category:Inhabitants of Barovia]]
[[category:Inventor of a Spell]]
[[category:Killer]]
[[category:Leader]]
[[category:Mass Murderer]]
[[category:Military Leader]]
[[category:Military Officer]]
[[category:Multiclass Character]]
[[category:Murderer]]
[[Category:Musician]]
[[Category:Musician]]
[[Category:Storyteller]]
[[Category:Necromancer]]
[[category:Necrologist]]
[[Category:Noble of Barovia]]
[[category:Oppressor]]
[[Category:Orator]]
[[Category:Orator]]
[[Category:Organist]]
[[Category:Pathfinder 1st Edition Character]]
[[Category:Performing Artist]]
[[Category:Performing Artist]]
[[Category:Author]]
[[category:Personality of Barovia]]
[[Category:Writer]]
[[Category:Poisoner]]
[[Category:Arcane Loremaster]]
[[category:Professional Killer]]
[[Category:Demonologist]]
[[Category:Ravenloft Loremaster]]
[[Category:Ravenloft Loremaster]]
[[Category:Count of Barovia]]
[[Category:Ruler]]
[[Category:Noble]]
[[category:Soldier]]
[[Category:Son]]
[[category:Specialist Wizard]]
[[category:Standard Vampire]]
[[Category:Storyteller]]
[[category:Suppressor]]
[[category:Tempted]]
[[category:Temporal Leader]]
[[category:Tempted]]
[[category:Traitor]]
[[Category:Transgressor]]
[[category:TSR Collector Card Character]]
[[Category:Undead]]
[[Category:Vampire]]
[[Category:Van Roeyen Family]]
[[category:Veteran]]
[[Category:Von Zarovich Family]]
[[Category:Von Zarovich Family]]
[[Category:Necromancer]]
[[Category:Wizard]]
[[Category:Wizard]]
[[Category:Vampire]]
[[Category:Writer]]
[[Category:Human]]
[[category:Births in 299 BC]]
[[Category:Barovian (Prime Material Plane)]]
[[category:Deaths in 351 BC]]
[[Category:Outlander]]
[[Category:Inhabitants of Barovia]]
[[Category:Chaotic Evil]]


==Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue==
==Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue==
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''[[The Ravenloft Campaign Setting]]'' - box cover<br />
''[[The Ravenloft Campaign Setting]]'' - box cover<br />
''[[The Ravenloft Campaign Setting:Domains and Denizens]]'' - p9,p98<br />
''[[The Ravenloft Campaign Setting:Domains and Denizens]]'' - p9,p98<br />
''[[Roots of Evil]]'' - front cover, p7,69,72,93,95 [http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads Download Now! ]<br />
''[[Roots of Evil]]'' - front cover, p7,69,72,93,95 [http://web.archive.org/web/20100329193632/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads Download Now! ]<br />
''[[Forbidden Lore: Nova Arcanum]]'' - p3, front cover<br />
''[[Forbidden Lore: Nova Arcanum]]'' - p3, front cover<br />
''[[Vampire of the Mists]]'' - front cover<br />
''[[Vampire of the Mists]]'' - front cover<br />
Line 87: Line 274:
''[[House of Strahd]]'' - pp4-5<br />
''[[House of Strahd]]'' - pp4-5<br />
''[[The Ravenloft Campaign Setting:Domains and Denizens]]'' - pp97-101<br />
''[[The Ravenloft Campaign Setting:Domains and Denizens]]'' - pp97-101<br />
''[[Roots of Evil]]'' - p6 [http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads Download Now! ]<br />
''[[Roots of Evil]]'' - p6 [http://web.archive.org/web/20100329193632/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads Download Now! ]<br />
''[[Realm of Terror]]'' - pp116-119<br />
''[[Realm of Terror]]'' - pp116-119<br />
''[[Ravenloft I6]]'' - p3<br />
''[[Ravenloft I6]]'' - p3<br />
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''[[The Ravenloft Campaign Setting:Domains and Denizens]]'' - pp7-10, pp97-101<br />
''[[The Ravenloft Campaign Setting:Domains and Denizens]]'' - pp7-10, pp97-101<br />
''[[Van Richten's Guide to Vampires]]'' - pp6-9,13,46,77<br />
''[[Van Richten's Guide to Vampires]]'' - pp6-9,13,46,77<br />
''[[Roots of Evil]]'' - p6,15,39,55-57,90-95 [http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads Download Now! ]<br />
''[[Roots of Evil]]'' - p6,15,39,55-57,90-95 [http://web.archive.org/web/20100329193632/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads Download Now! ]<br />
''[[From the Shadows]]'' - pp14-15 [http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads Download Now! ]<br />
''[[From the Shadows]]'' - pp14-15 [http://web.archive.org/web/20100329193632/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads Download Now! ]<br />
''[[Tales of Ravenloft:Caretaker]]'' - pp303-316<br />
''[[Tales of Ravenloft:Caretaker]]'' - pp303-316<br />
''[[The Evil Eye]]'' - pp57, 58<br />
''[[The Evil Eye]]'' - pp57, 58<br />

Latest revision as of 07:34, 4 February 2022

Strahd von Zarovich, by Talon Dunning
Strahd von Zarovich, by Talon Dunning

Count Strahd von Zarovich is the Vampire darklord of Barovia.[1][2] He rules the land publicly from Castle Ravenloft as Strahd XI, supposedly a descendant of Strahd I, but actually the same man.[3] Strahd murdered his younger brother Sergei von Zarovich on his wedding day in an attempt to claim Sergi's bride, Tatyana Federovna. This is the final act that caused him to become the first known darklord. Tatyana rejected his love and jumped to her death from the walls of Castle Ravenloft.[4][5][6] Strahd is now cursed to hunt and lose the reincarnations of Tatyana.[7][8]

Strahd was nobly born to Barov von Zarovich and Ravenia van Roeyen[9] in Prime Material Barovia in 299 BC.[10][11][12] He was the older brother of Sergei and Sturm.

Strahd spent the first few decades of his adult life in his war with the Tergs that had invaded and occupied Barovia. In perhaps the most critical moment in his war against the foreign invaders, Strahd called the fiend Inajira in the hope of securing victory at the cost of his soul.[13] Strahd largely managed to escape the arcanaloth's foul contract with the contract he made with Death that gave him eternal life, or unlife as the case may be. However, Strahd merely traded one form of damnation for another, as this horrible pact ultimately led to Strahd becoming an all but immortal darklord.[4][10][5][6]

Throughout his long history as darklord of Barovia, Strahd has come into conflict with many who would challenge his dominance. For example, his great niece, Lyssa von Zarovich, transformed herself into a vampire to challenge his rule. She also conspired with the High Master Illithid to generate a race of illithid vampires to depose Strahd, but the plan failed.[14][15] With the help of Emil Bollenbach, Strahd poisoned Lyssa as punishment for her plotting against him, causing her to fall into a debilitating slumber.[16]

Errata

  • Pg. 150
Stygian Inquirer: Strahd's ranged and melee attacks are wrong. He has a higher ranged than melee attack, but his Strength is greater than his Dexterity and he wields a magic weapon too. I have done the math the the attacks should look like this:
Atk +20 melee (1d6+8 and energy drain, slam) or +25/+20/+15 melee (1d10+14, +4 bastard sword) or +19/+14/+9 ranged (1d8+6, +2 mighty composite longbow); I got these number via the following. The BAB for a Ftr 4/Nec 16 is 12/7/2. For the melee attack, you add +8 for STR mod, +4 for the bastard sword and +1 for weapon focus (bastard sword). For the ranged attack, you add +5 for DEX mod and +2 for the bow.
Also the 3.5 DR would be 25/silver and magic as per the RL:PHB entry per an Ancient Vampire .

Strahd's Allies

Strahd's Creations

During his time in the Mists, Strahd has developed a number of distinct creations, particularly in the areas of spells and undead unique to him.

Strahd's Enemies

Statistics

Fighter 4 / Necromancer 16, Chaotic Evil[2]

Chronology

TSR Collector Cards

Strahd's TSR 1991 Collector Card numbers are 489 and 611. His TSR 1992 Collector Card numbers are 285 and 608.

Appearances

Modules

Novels, short stories, and other fiction

Video and computer games

References

  1. ↑ Domains of Dread p.61
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Gazetteer I p.150
  3. ↑ Gazetteer I p.28
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Domains of Dread p.14-15
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Ravenloft Third Edition p.4, 12
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Ravenloft Player's Handbook p.4, 14
  7. ↑ Domains of Dread p.62
  8. ↑ Gazetteer I p.151
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 Gaz 1, p 17.
  10. ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 10.11 10.12 10.13 10.14 10.15 10.16 10.17 Domains of Dread p.16
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Ravenloft Third Edition p.12
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Ravenloft Player's Handbook p.14
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Gazetteer I p.142
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p.34
  15. ↑ Thoughts of Darkness
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Children of the Night: Vampires p.21-26
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p.19
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Roots of Evil
  19. ↑ Ravenloft Third Edition p.130>
  20. ↑ Ravenloft Player's Handbook p.132
  21. ↑ Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p.24
  22. ↑ Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p.142
  23. ↑ Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p.38
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p.13
  25. ↑ Knight of the Black Rose
  26. ↑ Children of the Night: Vampires p.20-26
  27. ↑ Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p.34
  28. ↑ Van Richten's Guide to Fiends
  29. ↑ Realm of Terror p.127
  30. ↑ I, Strahd p.73-85
  31. ↑ Gaz 1, pp 10, 16.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 32.4 I, Strahd
  33. ↑ I, Strahd: The War Against Azalin
  34. ↑ Vampire of the Mists p. 266-267
  35. ↑ Van Richten's Guide to Vampires p.6-9
  36. ↑ Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium I p.10-13
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 VotM
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 Gazetteer I p.18
  39. ↑ House of Strahd
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 Gazetteer II p.135
  41. ↑ King of the Dead
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 King of the Dead
  43. ↑ I, Strahd, The War Against Azalin - p71, pp109-117, pp167-171
  44. ↑ Gazetteer I p.63
  45. ↑ Gazetteer I p.73-74
  46. ↑ I10: Ravenloft II: The House on Gryphon Hill
  47. ↑ Gazetteer II p.9
  48. ↑ Domains of Dread p.16, 64
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 49.2 Gazetteer I p.144
  50. ↑ Domains of Dread p.17
  51. ↑ Thoughts of Darkness
  52. ↑ Ravenloft Gazetteer I, p35.

Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue

Secrets of the Dread Realms
Domains of Dread
I, Strahd
House of Strahd
Ravenloft I6
Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I
I, Strahd, The War Against Azalin

Secrets of the Dread Realms - p11
Domains of Dread - p61
House of Strahd - cover, pp1,5,25,60,63
The Ravenloft Campaign Setting - box cover
The Ravenloft Campaign Setting:Domains and Denizens - p9,p98
Roots of Evil - front cover, p7,69,72,93,95 Download Now!
Forbidden Lore: Nova Arcanum - p3, front cover
Vampire of the Mists - front cover
Realm of Terror - p117, front cover, reference cards
TSR JAM 1999 - front cover
Ravenloft I6 - cover, pp3,15
Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I - p151
I, Strahd, The War Against Azalin - cover

Secrets of the Dread Realms - pp10-12
Domains of Dread - pp61-62
House of Strahd - pp4-5
The Ravenloft Campaign Setting:Domains and Denizens - pp97-101
Roots of Evil - p6 Download Now!
Realm of Terror - pp116-119
Ravenloft I6 - p3
Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I - pp150-152

Secrets of the Dread Realms - pp7,10-12,18-19,27,31,114
Ravenloft Third Edition - p4,12-13,17,114,124
Domains of Dread - pp61-62
Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium I - pp10-13,17,43,82
I, Strahd -throughout
House of Strahd - throughout
The Ravenloft Campaign Setting:Domains and Denizens - pp7-10, pp97-101
Van Richten's Guide to Vampires - pp6-9,13,46,77
Roots of Evil - p6,15,39,55-57,90-95 Download Now!
From the Shadows - pp14-15 Download Now!
Tales of Ravenloft:Caretaker - pp303-316
The Evil Eye - pp57, 58
Vampire of the Mists - throughout
Realm of Terror - p5,pp116-119,p127
Ravenloft I6 - throughout
Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I - pp150-152
I, Strahd, The War Against Azalin - pp15-303

The Devil Strahd
Lord Vasili von Holz
Strahd XI


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