A great way to run Curse of Strahd, I’ve discovered, is to have the 1st-level characters wake up in Castle Ravenloft butt-naked. #wotcstaff
— Christopher Perkins (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) January 8, 2018
A great way to run Curse of Strahd, I’ve discovered, is to have the 1st-level characters wake up in Castle Ravenloft butt-naked. #wotcstaff
— Christopher Perkins (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) January 8, 2018
That actually could work, if you reverse the overall quest expectations.
Strahd: “What are you doing in my castle?”
Party: “We literally woke up here naked! We have no idea how we got here!”
Strahd: “Lies! You are here as usurpers and spies!”
Party: “Oh yes! That would explain why we’re naked and confused, right?”
Strahd: “Hmm. Let us humor you for a moment. If what you say is true, someone brought you here without my knowledge. If they have the power to intrude upon my castle, they must be dealt with. I could kill you now, but that would bring me no closer to discovering this mysterious threat. Therefor, I will spare your lives, but in return you will serve me and work to uncover whomever is responsible for this.”
Party: “We don’t really any choice. If you’ll let us live, and let us go free when this is all done, then we have no reason not to accept.”
Strahd: “Agreed. But remember – I will brook no sedition, tolerate no betrayal. My word is law. Isolence will be punished. Harshly. Now, I shall have Kasimir find you some suitable garments and show you to the guest quarters. Expect my summons later. There is bloody work to be done.”