Tsolenka Pass Guide | Running Curse of Strahd 5e

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

What was YOUR experience in Tsolenka Pass like? I wanna read all about it!

[@titanemp]

killed the vroks, took a rest, went on. GOD WAS THAT BORING!

[@username975312468]

I am going to be using your idea of Ludmilla's laboratory of pain, but I will be putting a PC's backstory character here they are searching for, along with the werewolf. I'm very much looking forward to running it.

[@paulschirf9259]

I powered up the gargoyles... my Giant Gargoyles have standard gargoyle hit points, but I gave them a very high AC, resistance to cold, fire, and lightning, and immunity to psychic damage. I bumped the bite damage, didn't change the claw damage but added a second claw attack, and added magic resistance and a special ability: Roar In Pain Roar In Pain: Whenever the Giant Gargoyle takes more than 16 points of damage from a single attack, as a reaction it can Roar in Pain, causing anyone within 10" to make a DC 14 Wisdom save or take 10 (2d8 + 1) points of psychic damage. This makes them feel a lot closer to, but still less powerful than, the Vrocks.

[@andersschmich8600]

If you ever made a video specifically about the Brides and Rahadin, that would be pretty cool. I definitely want to have them as distinct mini bosses in my game.

[@balckpain24]

I made the 6 vampire spawn of vallaki in to minibosses. When they are discovered everyone of them run provoking havok at the city and Erena takes the bones to the church where Vasili is (trying to win Ireena over) and he kills her (because she blows his cover). Erena - was once the young and only daughter of Henrik Van Der Voort. Once she recovers from her bloodlust and is freed from the event, she flees Vallaki into the woods (if somehow Strahd doesn't kill her). She is scare and his personality will have radical changes from bloodlost to a crybaby and inocent girl. She can't stand to see nobles. Vadu - was once a an uneducated peasant with abusive parents. He revels in his vampiric power and will do anything Strahd says for more power. He likes to torture the weak and experiment with pain and loss. If he is not killed at the event he will start a carnivale of horrors; pretending to be an outsider. (a couple days after, with all the havock and change of political power at vallaki the guards and the ones of charge will not have the power nor time to care about him). (he will torment the players without confronting them directly). Tereska - A cruel individual who wants to be the strongest around and loves to kill. Big, bald. Brother of Ulrich. He will kill whaterver is in his ways (except other servants of Strahd (unless no with witnesses present) and the strongest they are, more he will want to fight. He will go on a rampage searching for guards to kill and eventualy have a showdown with Izek. (he founds the lvl4-5 party too weak for his attention unless they confront him). Ulrich - predicador who happened to catch Strahd's eye several decades ago. Now he predicts for Strahd. He's his holy lord and will repeat famous phrases and words with an especific date when he talks (many of them invented by Ulrich). He is the "leader" of the pack and he takes not pleasure of killing people but he will do it as his holy task. (he knows about the dark powers and that Strahd is an avatar and he will make sacrifices for the dark god). Rivia - Insane. She has no mind of her own and follows her most beastial instincts. She is afraid of fire and no longer a "human" of apperance. She is big an mutated and there is no difference between a savage beast and her. She only obeys Ulrich and she will run away to the forest on the rampage. Players and people may find her in the forest in the days after, hunting for prey and killing whatever she founds. Liliana - Delusional and vain. She tries to murder any girl she thinks is prettier than she seduce/bite any man she finds exceptionally handsome. Ugly people are below her regard. She will focus on kill women. Most of them are from Lunch Break Heroes but a modified them a little bit and everyone will have an especial stage and boss fight if the let them run away and found them after. (sorry for the bad english, is not my fist language) .

[@calebfasnacht8698]

Yes! Let's give some (un)life to these names in a crypt!

[@andersschmich8600]

@@balckpain24 Thanks! What video did he mention them?

[@balckpain24]

@@andersschmich8600 www.reddit.com/r/CurseofStrahd/comments/9b3em0/fleshing_out_curse_of_strahd_vallaki_iv_the_feast/ my bad, it was in this mandymod reddit; i assumed it was them because they make similar changes I found the reddit thanks to this videos :P

[@andersschmich8600]

@@balckpain24 Thanks!

[@spencerbodine7118]

Tsolenka Pass is the location where my party's cleric died several sessions ago. But to be fair, it was because she had decided that she really wanted to play a Warlock instead so we conspired to kill off the Cleric so she could play her new character. Fun times.

[@aero33888]

My cleric is chaotic evil. I don't know what to do...

[@raccoon3164]

@@aero33888 What happened ?

[@thompvancity]

This is fantastic! I like the idea of keeping the Vroks on the gate instead of the gargoyles, not explained by Strahd, but explained by Ludmilla being a demon summoner herself. Part of her preparations to keep this area safe, along with her enchantment on the gate itself, giving her credit for the green wall of fire.

[@dariusyehnert2401]

Thank you so much! My party hasn’t quite gotten there but I will DEFINITELY be using this guide for it!

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

Lemme know how it goes!

[@Bibouse]

Another incredible video, moving Emil here is such a good idea. Your guides and advice are a breath of fresh air for my table and my inspiration! Unfortunately my group went through the Tsolenka Pass yesterday but I'm pretty sure I'm going to run this module again with another group, so I'm still taking notes!

[@username975312468]

Your CoS content has been an incredible inspiration for my campaign. My players get giddy and excited the morning of session day, and a good portion of that is thanks to you. That, is why (as well as also being a fellow Anosmic individual) I am signing up on your patreon today. It's the least I could do to pay you back for the hours of fun you have unknowingly helped me with. Thanks again. Keep up the great work!!

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

Thank you so much for your support, Joe!

[@SpencerFoustLovesYou]

Love the idea of bringing Emil to the tower, and having Ludmilla operate out of it! There are countless callback-NPCs you can substitute into the dungeons of Ravenloft, and in my experience Ismark often fits the bill. Players who venture in the castle early may find that the helpful Burgomaster was imprisoned by Strahd for allowing Ireena to flee his protection. This tees up Strahd to use him as a bargaining chip, or for the party to plan a jailbreak at Ireena's behest.

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

Oh, I'll be having a familiar "Mad" face down in those dungeons for your players to stumble upon. Stay tuned!

[@pauual]

These guides are absolutely priceless!

[@calebfasnacht8698]

Hey, now that stupid, empty tower has cool stuff for my players to freak out over, thank you!

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

You’re welcome!

[@glorm3801]

My DM took that idea of using the White Dragon to keep people who accepted a dark gift from leaving, and everyone in my party beside my character had accepted those gifts, so I was the only 1 who made it out of there lol

[@madmadame1508]

Bless you sir, my party will be hitting the pass tonight.

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

Best of luck to you!

[@madmadame1508]

"Whenever you make something idiot proof, nature always invents a better idiot. " I am so stealing this.

[@Q22_Krivanek]

One of my players is currently playing as Emil... So I may just have to put Zuleika there instead... Mwa ha ha!!!

[@forloveofthepage2361]

It is wild how many things I planned to add/change that you did as well. The gargoyles, the NPCs, and the connection to the Amber Temple. I made them the defenders of Strahd's secret temple. I also put the werewolf leader at the pass since I didn't want them to go to the Castle for any reason other than to kill fight Strahd or undo a mistake they made. I put the skull of Argynvost here as a miniboss for the return trip, giving a reason for the revenants to attack this place. I really like the dragon statue idea and may change the way Argynvost acts during the encounter. What do you think of using the stats of a Flaming Skull, but adding more HP and a breath attack?

[@vadecoriffs2327]

Another great video! Love your CoS content! We were forced to stop our CoS game due to Corona, but this will help out immensly with my preparation once we start to get back to the table. Stay safe, and Greetings from Germany!

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

Greetings, and best of luck to you when you resume!

[@jackhartford521]

I like the idea of the pass being kept the way it is. The party is getting closer to the source of the dark power. I don’t mind one bit that it is not in the vein of Barovia being the Transylvania of dungeons and dragons. They are so close to the end here, that in my mind, the jig is up, and there is no need to keep up appearances. Just my take on it!

[@TheRepublic4]

Ah a wonderful Birthday Present! Seriously though you are doing an amazing job on these videos, love them

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

Thank you so much, and happy birthday!

[@paulcoy9060]

1 second in: Hell, yeah, he did. Cast your mind to a stretch of deserted forest, a bit of heavy pine trees between Vallaki and Mt. Baratok. It's a short cut, because my players are in a hurry. As they march through the dark woods, I compare Strahd's Stealth check against their Passive Perception. They fail to notice the swirling fog to their left, moving against the breeze. They should have hired that guide. Suddenly, Strahd erupts from behind a tree, grabs a PC, and flings them at a different tree. He laughs at their grunt of pain (only 1d6+4, but it's the disrespect that hurts the most), climbs the nearest tree as easily as you walk to your kitchen to get a Hot Pocket, and then --- he's gone, turned into mist again. Disappeared, like Keyser Soze. (imagine there is an umlaut over the O, I can't type that right now) When they reach the small village at the base of the mountain, they find that Strahd has already been there, paid for their lodgings, and left a letter, asking them to join him for dinner at Castle Ravenloft, as a way of apologizing for such a cruel mischief earlier in the forest. He is, after all, a gentleman.

[@Maracifer]

Why would Ludmila be acompanied by dire wolves? Against werewolf they won't do nothing. I will probably give her another vampire spawn, or some undead servants (either clad with silver equipment, just in case) Great guide overall, very usefull :D Thank you!!

[@whokilledzekeiddon]

You're exceptionally talented at this dude (both the DMing tips and your KZbin presentation). Thanks so much for the smorgasboard of possibilities here; it really does liven up Tsolenka Pass. I look forward to checking out your other stuff! Personally I deleted the werewolves from our campaign from the off because it felt like it was bloating it somewhat, but I'll probably use the 'Mengeles Experiment' idea using a wereraven (which the party have become very attached to) and replace Ludmilla with Rahadin, since he needs sewing into the story right about now. Regardless of interpretation, all your overrarching points still stand - particularly the note about the Knights Vs Strahd lore. Someone else in the CoS subreddit (probably Mandy or Dragna) suggested the party see flashbacks to the grand battle at Tsolenka Pass, so your ideas here firmly cement and payoff that foreshadowing. Thanks again man. You're awesome.

[@thomasalegredelasoujeole9998]

Uh... the Vrocks are linked to the Amber Temple with its Arcanaloth... its the siege of the « dark powers » of ravenloft, and these appear planar in essence. I also thinks it represents an order of evil at work in the amber temple that is even beyond Strahd himself. The Amber temple is the place where even Strahd bends the knee !

[@bilbolicious3629]

Love these guides so much!

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

Glad you like them!

[@jorrellds6520]

I hid the third GEM in the ROC. I played a huge roar when they passed it the first time. When they came out of amber Temple defeated. They had completly forgettten all about it, well until the ROC showed up.

[@Harrison_stream]

An excellent and enjoyable watch, as always.

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

Thank you!

[@crystalheath6510]

I like your changes. I'm looking for ways for the party to interact more with the various Brides outside the castle as like mini-bosses who show up and encounter the party, fail and return to the castle. Already they have met one in Vallaki who orchestrated the feast but this make a perfect way for them to encounter Ludmilla.

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

Yeah, I had Anastrasya orchestrating the feast. Ludmilla's at the pass. Not sure what to do with Volenta quite yet.

[@crystalheath6510]

@@LunchBreakHeroes I'm thinking that the druids might be influenced by her. She is the mastermind of their attack and ritual. I feel it may give a good reason why they are attacking the winery. I liked your idea they are searching how to turn into animals but maybe it was Volenta that put that idea into their minds.

[@crystalheath6510]

I'm thinking that the Brides have a wager going on where they are trying to kill the most people that live in Vallaki because they are bored. So each of them is working on a plan to try and kill the most people there. The feast(anastrasya), the winery and plant monster (Volenta), and a werewolf attack with enhanced werewolves through science (Ludmilla).

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

Crystal Heath that’s a neat idea!

[@robert2063]

I put a drocolich in counter here. The drocolich is the silver dragon that has been corrupted by strahd

[@Hewhowantstoknow]

I love your idea putting Emil here, was thinking about putting him somewhere else because Ravenloft will likely only be used for the Dinner, Real House Wives of Barovia and the final battle I would like to expand it though: Putting a Wereraven and a Wererat there (My Barovia includes wererats as well, as Strahd not just stole power over the land from the Fanes, but also control of the animals and each of the animals he controls has a Lycanthrope associated with it and due to his connection with the fanes he can turn into a Raven and Rat as well) Perhaps I'll put Muriel here, instead of in Baba Lysaga's swamp while she argues with Emil, telling the players to not release him as he's one of Strahd's dogs, meanwhile the Wererat will wimper and beg the players to release him Forest Fane: Wolves, Werewolves Swamp Fane: Rats, Wererats Mountain Fane: Ravens, Wereravens Vampyr: Bats, Vampire

[@danss1360]

Brilliant!

[@kgib4214]

I will absolutely be putting Emil here. I like it better, but what should we put in his stead in the dungeons of castle ravenloft I wonder? Perhaps a Castle Ravenloft video will come soon

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

Hell yes it will be!

[@matttale7918]

Honestly I would love to see someone turn the Berzerkers into their own distinct faction that operates near Tzolenka Pass. Maybe a tribe chief and elders or really just anything at all. Add some undead Paladins looking to prevent anyone else from entering the area and a bride of Strahd himself operating here and you certainly have an interesting set of choices for your party to make as to how they want to proceed to the Amber Temple

[@hollyabair]

So good!!! That was fantastic:D

[@HowtoRPG]

Well done.

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

Thank you!

[@kevintroy8010]

Would you consider doing a guide to a different module like avernus or rime of the frostmaiden (when its out)? Im really enjoying these guides even though my campaign is finished

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

Avernus is next, and I plan on doing RotFM as well!

[@wesmaass4669]

Thank you, my party hasn't gotten to the temple yet, but I always thought the Vrock's made no sense. Using one of the brides like this reminds me of the female vampires in Castlevania.

[@VuvuzelaTM]

Let the brooks, just tell your players that they are animated from the statues, call then constructors if you want

[@michalrajecky6049]

Awesome video! Totally using the added content. Could you also reveal what's the background music at the end of the videos? Truly beautiful tones

[@brenosobral9500]

Next time i dm It, will trie it

[@guamae]

Love your videos! One interesting hitch, is that 3 of my players (before even hearing about the Amber Temple) already have Dark Gifts, as The Amber Temple is Leaking... what would the dragon think of that??

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

Sounds like they get a boss fight on the way IN!

[@jubonilson]

Oh man, I'm going to run this friday. This was much of a help

[@parallelworlds6523]

I kept the Roc. But it's not a demon, it just found the third stone and grew a bit larger than usual :)

[@linuskentr]

What statblock is the stonedragon and Ludmilla?

[@retrojohnny1899]

Love this guide! What are your thoughts on the giant goat encounter?

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

I have no problem with Sangzor, and didn't have anything that I wanted to change about his encounter. As such, I left him out of the guide so that he could be run as-written.

[@jeffbredemeyer625]

I like what you’re doing with the werewolf’s but don’t you think Emil after being tortured and injured would want to hide and regain his strength maybe scout out what he’s getting into rather than run straight to take over the pack?

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

Depends on his sense of urgency, I suppose!

[@johnsawyer6267]

How did the knights get to and defend the temple? There is no direct path on the map of Barovia from Argynvostholt to the Amber temple?

[@KaiserAfini]

What happens if the players scratch and deface the teleportation circle ? Does it stop working ? Would Ludmilla still arrive using the long way around?

[@robertmccracken3763]

Hey maybe I’m a bit confused. You mentioned that you were going to switch around the direction the characters were going for the encounter but described what was written in the module. I’m a bit lost here

[@titanemp]

with the silver items the players could have the silver reforged into new equipment . maybe

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

It's definitely a possibility!

[@parkerbrantley4356]

Omg, you must watch Dungeons of Drakkenhiem. You said “The silver order” instead of “Order of the Silver Dragon”

[@sojamilch6273]

I'm not sure if focusing down and killing off one party member with a dragon is a good idea, because this is what will definetly happen to them if they don't play some kind of bear totem super tank.

[@stevemoreso5610]

I’m running curse of Strahd and I have my first session later this week, any tips for running it?

[@wesmaass4669]

I'm curious how your group used Van Richten, or his alter ego, Rictavio.

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

Initially, I ran him as a helpful cross between Hannibal Lecter and the classic Van Helsing. But at this point, I've determined that Van Richten is just as bad a person, if not worse, than Strahd. His goals of killing monsters and defeating Strahd align with the party's, but his methods are unsavory. Plus, he's got a murder tiger that's trained to commit hate crimes.

[@wesmaass4669]

@@LunchBreakHeroes Thank's he is definitely a double edged sword.

[@manuelmauch8641]

I dont get it....You recommend changing the compass direction from west to east (when the party is on the way to the Amber Temple), but then say that the Roc only attacks those who have accepted a dark gift. What do I understand wrong?

[@fatzmcgee]

The Roc attacks on the way in as opposed to on the way out, dragon statues attack dark gift recipients on the way out.

[@MayBlaze0]

Well, two of my party members may already be f****d because they accepted a dark power to resurrect themselves, soooo…… uh oh I guess XD

[@custosdelucerna]

Anosmics unite!

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

Yes!!!!

[@AphrodiArchangel]

But wait... What about the goat?

[@LunchBreakHeroes]

Unchanged. Anything not specified in these guides is meant to be run as-written, or changed to your liking.

[@trofim9059]

I don’t really understand what type of a dragon you are talking about. Like a young one?

[@Crogon]

A minor detail.. you keep saying 'Knights of the Silver Order'.. Many people don't realize, but Strahd was intended to mirror Vlad, NOT Dracula! Both men had a father who was a knight of The Holy Order of the Dragon. Both were given the title 'Protector of the Realms' (plural). Both were entrusted with a vast number of troops to go to battle with. ..and both sons inherited the title and the troops when their fathers were murdered. I imagine the authors of CoS probably mucked it up somehow, but Argynvost's order is a branch of the main order, under special license under the same authority to protect Barovia/Wachovia specifically. Argynvosts branch would have been named The Order of the Silver Dragon. Again, a rather small detail.. but as you see, it has a PILE of background flavor behind it. :) ALSO.. it makes absolutely ZERO sense that Strahd would have charged up the mountain, ordering his troops to massacre their fellow knights. Wouldn't happen. That's why in Pyram's version, we've included the detail that Argynvost refused to leave his post in the mountains to come to Strahd's aid down in the valley.. Strahd was already furious at the local nobles for being implicated in his fathers murder, so he declared Argynvost and his men as traitors to the Order, and THEN wiped them out as he swept through the valley. It's not completely palatable.. but it does neatly gloss over one of the many plot holes in CoS RAW. I do LOVE the expansion of the areas with in the mountains. Sorely needed and well thought out addition!