Villains Voiced: Izek Strazni | Curse of Strahd | DMs Guide

[@reesurgent]

One of my players backstories they had a brother that was rumored to be dead, and hasn’t been seen since he was 9. I’m making Izek his brother, and that he was brought to Barovia for the Death House to be a sacrifice but, managed to escape and spent 30 years in Barovia just getting twisted and corrupt. I added in the PCs last name in a cultist logbook they can find in the house, giving him hints he’s here, and also plan on Madame Eva saying something. Not quite sure how I’m going to play Izek. I was thinking maybe having him be very bitter that his family never tried to find him, and then constantly watching his younger brother get to live a somewhat normal life.

[@redsnake188]

First time we met Izek he greeted us looking over the party by listing our crimes "What do we have here stealing, speaking the Devils name, destruction of public property and... BROTHER!" His tone changed completely as he laid eyes on my character. My character was a cultist born missing half his face who was quick to cast judgement and kill anything he found 'evil'. Both Izek and my character immediately had a change of heart when it came to meeting each other. Our crimes were forgiven and for the first time my guy didn't cast judgement for something he would've seen as a clearly evil. This was actaully a HUGE character moment for my guy and was probably the first real moment of him beginning redemption arc. We also found the toy shop immediately after entering the village with the custom doll so I actaully spent a few sessions trying to find him amd instead found his room of dolls first The party (minus me) then planned to betray the barren so they locked Izek in the basement of the church during the festival... it was then burnt down and my cultist was heart broken to loose the first real family he'd ever known. They did eventually reunite but this comment has gone long enough. Loved the relationship of a giant brute and a deranged cultist bonding over a long lost sibling relationship

[@Yourbeautiful666]

So your character is related to Ireena as well then. How’d that go?

[@maxminer9157]

Dang, I love your voicing of Izek, really brings the character to life

[@NoFunAllowed]

thank you! I imagine hes a person that actively makes himself sound tough all his life, so its an easy go to for creating his voice!

[@williambowser2128]

I think I'll have him go back to the Village of Barovia and take it over. If my players ever return they will see walls being constructed around the Village

[@NoFunAllowed]

now thats spicy haha!

[@TheIrishlad2010]

I think if he escaped the town he'd set the walls on fire out if spite

[@NoFunAllowed]

that could be a great way to cover his retreat too!

[@darthmayhem2523]

My party gets to meet this wonderful man this weekend....soooo excited! Thanks for all the help NFA!

[@NoFunAllowed]

Thank you and no problem!

[@paranoidplumber]

My players secretly stole an Ireena doll from Blinsky’s shop and we ended last session with Izek’s outrage. He’s dragging Blinsky to the burgomaster and Blinsky’s shop is beginning to burn.

[@NoFunAllowed]

awesome stuff!

[@rainingcomplete3018]

Year late But holy fuck that us so mean poor Blinsky

[@struggler696]

Hey, nice man! That's an awesome voice for Izek!

[@Jessica-de2gh]

now i understand why everyone was so surprised when i married him...

[@NoFunAllowed]

asking for his devil hand in marriage is a bit of a unique scenario haha!

[@salmonandsoup]

Based. Izek lovers unite!

[@kristijanmehun2382]

I honestly prefer the "man of few words" Izsek... I don't see him going around threatening people with words... his figure alone, with his mannerisms is what drives the fear in the townsfolk... he doesn't have to say anything, his look is more than enough

[@LucasRibeiro-zn6qi]

I love your videos, man. ❤️ You are basically carrying my hole campaign lol

[@martinithegr8]

Your Izek makes me want to be at your table! It's so perfect for him!

[@NoFunAllowed]

Haha thank you!

[@ADHDnD13]

Great job man. I've run this campaign twice and neither party has engaged w/ Izek. This was such a good refresher as my 3rd party is the first time that Izek has laid eyes on Ireena

[@alheimianservant1499]

7:03 Suddenly a pack of dire wolves spot you and your lack of equipment and readies a strike. Roll initiative.

[@NoFunAllowed]

Haha I use my action to dash!

[@alheimianservant1499]

@@NoFunAllowed I really hope my characters piss off the burgomaster and get subdued, but at the same time, not.

[@teo3066]

Hmm. This gives me an idea of giving the party one scroll of legends lore, so they can find out one character's backstory if they can cast it

[@NoFunAllowed]

haha a great way to drop that juicy background!

[@salmonandsoup]

My first introduction to Izek was "Dice, Camera, Action!" and he was absolutely an asshole, but he was also very much a Big Brother Knight Templar with the... too-loving part of his sibling relationship taken out since a player was made to be his long-lost sister instead of Ireena-and that stuck with me. He's one of my favorite characters in Curse of Strahd and it really feels like, when you look at him RAW, he's just meant to be a miniboss in Vallaki and nothing more. And that hurts, man; you could do so much with him. I love making him an eventual ally if you win over someone like Viktor or the Martikovs. His brawn could be very useful, and he's not the dumbest brick in the wall, either.

[@cloak5857]

It's a shame the brother-sister relationship isn't built up more. My last session I had Ireena reveal that she knows she is adopted, Ismark is dead, the Burgomaster is dead obviously, I'm hoping it spurs the players to seek out where she came from and finding a relative...that is completely insane, would be fun I think.

[@NoFunAllowed]

for sure, theres tons you can do with that! its a small world, so the answeres are out there haha!

[@isaakvanast]

@@NoFunAllowedwhat do you think of running him as Bane from TDKR? An intelligent sociopath with no soul.

[@christopherphillip1821]

I need some advise. My party showed up to Vallakie with Ireena (normal) and Ismark (now a PC as a reborn hexblade killed by hags). They walked up to the gates and Ireena announced themselves and Izek answered. He took those two from the rest and locked them outside. Promising to take her to St. Andrals. However he just drops Ismark off at the Blue Water Inn and takes her to the Mansion. The party met up at the Blue Water Inn took a long rest. Then went to St. Andrals, they were then directed to the Mansion. What happens there? I'm thinking he is distracted and the party gets a very clear chance to go right up stairs and get her out (they have a locate object on her signet ring so they know where she is in the house... kind of.) Then the party has to keep doing there thing while also keeping Ireena secret? I'm not sure how to handle it. But I feel Ireena just announcing her self and Izek meeting her early on at Vallakie is a simple outcome.

[@NoFunAllowed]

it sounds like the cards fall where they lie haha. if the party truly cares enough, they will do what it takes to save her, if not, then the story takes a different turn!

[@petercarlson2680]

Wouldn’t Strahd just come in and obliterate Izek if he took Ireena?

[@NoFunAllowed]

haha perhaps!

[@GregoryBusby]

Anyone else notice the uncanny resemblance to the artwork of Izek Strazni?

[@NoFunAllowed]

haha i dont see it

[@gabrielgodinho1920]

do a villains voiced of Strahd, I beg you!

[@NoFunAllowed]

the villains voiced for the rest of the strahd series coming soon!