Adventures set in Barovia involve oppressive, gothic menace; suspicion; and the legendary threat of Strahd von Zarovich. Use this section to develop horror adventures in this domain.

Adventure for Level 6 Characters Situation. A discovery beneath the Blood of the Vine tavern in the village of Barovia has unleashed sinister magic, transforming the owners. Hook. Disguised as a human, Urwin Martikov (Medium Wereraven; see chapter 5) of the Blue Water Inn in Vallaki hires the characters to investigate why the Blood of the Vine tavern in the village of Barovia has closed,…

On the Elemental Plane of Earth, galaxies of gemstones twinkle over vaults of treasure. If dao are there, so is wealth worth hunting. —Gundren Rockseeker, Dwarf Treasure Hunter Genies of minerals and gemstones, dao embody the resolve of rock. Using innate magic, they move through the earth unimpeded, exploring depths inaccessible to most. Dao delight in the treasures of the earth, whether raw…

Dingpots are animated objects created to assist in magical and alchemical research—or simply to help in the kitchen. Often cheerful, dingpots delight in serving up delicious meals, soothing tea, and the occasional magical draught.

Edwin VanCleef, the leader of the criminal organization known as the Defias Brotherhood, runs his operations from the abandoned mines beneath the town of Moonbrook. Though known as the Deadmines, these once-abandoned tunnels are far from dead, serving as the hub of the Brotherhood’s web of thievery, piracy, and murder. Prisoners of the Defias Brotherhood are forced to work in the mines, and a…

With uncanny patience and fiendish cunning, ultroloths manipulate mortals and their fellow yugoloths alike, seeking to hoard power and spread suffering. These sinister masterminds often work with other yugoloths, but they might compel nearly any creature into their service. If coercion doesn’t work, ultroloths use their eerie eyes and innate magic to hypnotize or charm targets. Ultroloths strive…

With uncanny patience and fiendish cunning, ultroloths manipulate mortals and their fellow yugoloths alike, seeking to hoard power and spread suffering. These sinister masterminds often work with other yugoloths, but they might compel nearly any creature into their service. If coercion doesn’t work, ultroloths use their eerie eyes and innate magic to hypnotize or charm targets. Ultroloths strive…

From a distance, will-o’-wisps look like lanterns bobbing in the dark. Through the windows of abandoned structures or around the bends of treacherous paths, these spirits tempt the curious into peril. Once their prey is vulnerable, will-o’-wisps feed on the life force of those they lay low. Roll on or choose a result from the Will-o’-Wisp Ambushes table to inspire how a will-o’-wisp imperils its…

Wondrous Item, Legendary This tube holds milky liquid with a strong alcohol smell. When found, a tube contains 1d6 + 1 ounces. You can take a Utilize action to pour 1 or more ounces of solvent from the tube onto a surface within reach. Each ounce instantly dissolves up to 1 square foot of adhesive it touches, including Sovereign Glue. Conceptopolis Vorpal Sword (Longsword), Trident of Fish…

Camouflaged as rock formations, ropers are aberrant ambushers that lurk in wait for smaller creatures. These bizarre subterranean hunters extend their rubbery tentacles to explore and prod their surroundings, often reaching beyond their fields of vision. Should they encounter prey, these limbs ensnare victims and drag them close to ropers’ toothy maws. If these tentacles are severed, ropers…

The Defias Brotherhood has spread its tendrils through the heart of the Alliance. Its brigands bleed the villages of Goldshire, Lakeshire, Darkshire, and beyond and funnel the money to contractors working on the Juggernaut. Roll on or choose from the Deadmines Adventure Hooks table to determine how the characters learn of this conspiracy.

In the mines, the characters can discover any or all of the following areas, each corresponding to a location on the Deadmines map and featuring its own encounters.

The Ruinbound are mutants that can be born to any humanoid species that has contact with the Daelkyr or their minions. A Ruinbound is born with a personal symbiont—an unnatural entity bound to the child. Unlike most symbionts, this entity cannot be separated from its host, and the two are permanently fused. Many Ruinbound have additional disturbing mutations; you can roll on the Ruinbound…

Spells Prepared. You determine what spells you can prepare for each class individually, as if you were a single-classed member of that class. If you are a level 4 Ranger / level 3 Sorcerer, for example, you can prepare five level 1 Ranger spells, and you can prepare six Sorcerer spells of level 1 or 2 (as well as four Sorcerer cantrips). Each spell you prepare is associated with one of your…

To begin the adventure, read or paraphrase the following text: You were told by a friend or contact that someone from the mining town of Moonbrook needed adventurers to perform a dangerous task in exchange for a substantial reward. This contact told you to meet the potential employer in the woods outside Moonbrook. Upon your arrival, a dark figure approaches and lowers the hood of her cloak. The…

For Level 1–4 Characters • Alliance Versus Horde Deep within the Deadmines, the Defias Brotherhood plots Stormwind’s downfall. These tunnels wind beneath the gold-mining town of Moonbrook in Stormwind’s border province of Westfall. Amid the chaos of the First War, the mines were occupied by orcs and ogres, then were abandoned for years until the Defias Brotherhood arrived. The Defias Brotherhood…

Large Beast (Thyreophoran), Unaligned AC 20 (Extensive Osteoderms) Initiative -3 (7) HP 72 (10d10 + 22) Speed 20 ft.

Wondrous Item, Uncommon This robe has cloth patches of various shapes and colors covering it. While wearing the robe, you can take a Magic action to detach one of the patches, causing it to become the object or creature it represents. Once the last patch is removed, the robe becomes an ordinary garment. The robe has two of each of the following patches:

• Bullseye Lantern (filled and lit)
• Dagger …

Wondrous Item, Uncommon This robe has cloth patches of various shapes and colors covering it. While wearing the robe, you can take a Magic action to detach one of the patches, causing it to become the object or creature it represents. Once the last patch is removed, the robe becomes an ordinary garment. The robe has two of each of the following patches:

• Bullseye Lantern (filled and lit)
• Dagger …

Wondrous Item, Uncommon (Requires Attunement) While wearing this pendant, you can take a Magic action to regain 2d4 + 2 Hit Points. Once used, this property can’t be used again until the next dawn. In addition, you have Advantage on saving throws to avoid or end the Poisoned condition while you wear this pendant.

List of Stat Block from the Dr Dhrolin’s Dictionary of Dinosaurs.

Terrifying in scale and overwhelming power, goristros are giant demons capable of bringing cities to ruin. These demons embody senseless anarchy and nihilistic destruction, and they take special offense at creatures or structures that rival them in size. Castles, towers, giants, and beasts of war are all common victims of these monsters’ wrath. Goristros resemble hunched, primeval minotaurs…

From the highest peaks of the Thornscale Mountains to the wide expanse of the Kupika Desert, citizens of Mirabilis enjoy general peace and prosperity, but it is not a land completely without threat. The realm is rich with magic, bringing both boons and peril to daily life. Marvellous creatures soar overhead and lurk in dark caverns. Ancient curses and strange prophecies shape the fabric of…

The skills are shown on the Skills table, which notes example uses for each skill proficiency as well as the ability check the skill most often applies to.

From the highest peaks of the Thornscale Mountains to the wide expanse of the Kupika Desert, citizens of Mirabilis enjoy general peace and prosperity, but it is not a land completely without threat. The realm is rich with magic, bringing both boons and peril to daily life. Marvellous creatures soar overhead and lurk in dark caverns. Ancient curses and strange prophecies shape the fabric of…

From the highest peaks of the Thornscale Mountains to the wide expanse of the Kupika Desert, citizens of Mirabilis enjoy general peace and prosperity, but it is not a land completely without threat. The realm is rich with magic, bringing both boons and peril to daily life. Marvellous creatures soar overhead and lurk in dark caverns. Ancient curses and strange prophecies shape the fabric of…