I get the impression from the early interference by Baba Lysaga he would have kind of a fey touch but coming from a Hag it's probably a dark glamour which nurtured his magic Talent but also kind of doomed him to be a miserable sonofa because I can imagine such gifts would give him more wisdom but it would be a cynical kind of enlightened knowledge he would get no joy out of The Craft thus further reinforcing his dower and Grim personality but you mix that with Dracula style military training and the idea that he was born to rule he really didn't have much of a chance at being a decent person
This is a great summary of his backstory - it will save those running the campaign from listening to the (admittedly well-written and still worth a listen) "I, Strahd" audiobook if they're not keen on the idea. I agree that Strahd is evil, though my interpretation is "Every villain is the hero of their own story" ideology. For example - sure Strahd has done genocidal things, but that's the conquest he grew up with from his father, so it's a normalized thing for him and is a means to conquer your enemy. He didn't do it out of love of killing or wanting to make others deliberately suffer. Yes, it's still killing and I'm not defending that, but there's a nuance of separation with intent. What I'm trying to get at, is there are shades of "Evil" and I feel playing him in that way provides a far more developed villain that has human complexities and layers to them rather than a more static "He is evil because he wants this and does bad stuff to get it. The end." that others and the Curse of Strahd campaign portrays him as.
I think the biggest thing that would make Strahd irredeemable would be his lack of will to change. This would make sense for an immortal character stuck in his ways, and I think it makes it more realistic and tragic to suggest that Strahd *could* change and be redeemed (that anyone, in theory, could), but it is just something that he refuses to do, a character flaw.
For this build i chose half orc and nohle background, thaf way, i dont get disadvantages on dialogues because of intimidation and persuasion profeiciencies for the race and background
One more thing: maybe it would be good to get 3 levels with barbarian to get berserker subclass, and what they do is basically throw more things, wich would be good for the tavern brawler feat
I have an idea for an adventure where the PCs defeat a witch and find Sturm, the second Von Zavorich brother, revealing that the witch was Strahd's former lover who mistook the brothers, he eventually finds Tatiana's current incarnation and falls in love with her.
Pardon me while I steal this and run with it, because the horrible dramatic irony of Strahd ONCE AGAIN 'losing' her love to his brother is ABSOLUTELY GENIUS!
Luckily my dm didn't make Strahd at all redeemable, But we did not know anywhere near as much of the lore as you just presented. This was very informative. I would love to see more videos like this.
I've made two warlocks who has a beholder patron, though, those were specifically the Great Mother. For that, I simply went with the great old ones warlock for my subclass. Also, you may want to double check the spells you're giving, since anti-magic field is an 8th level spell! If genie-locks can get a high level spell added to their spell list to make their theme make more sense, then there is no reason your homebrew can too! Sure, genie-locks are the only official subclass to have that, but hey! Why not, right? Just make sure that you're giving them out at the right time and not 3 spell levels early. 6 character levels is a lot to get a spell early by!
This would be so great. Going with the theme, having access to Devil's Sight permanantly with Beholder as a Patron would be a cool idea too. Having insight and line of sight mechanics is definitely fitting. Although after playing BG3, I can't say I wouldn't consider capturing our Ever-Watchful Patron in an Iron Flask.
I like the unique way of delivering your info. Only the people with the attention span of a goldfish would complain and not appreciate it. Thanks Tik tok
Likewise you can use the same strategy... send your tank first so the enemy react them send your weaker companions to get closer if they need to, or run past to reach another enemy...
Most of these issues can be resolved though by just setting your reaction to ask. Then you could let one weak enemy through and smack the big bad when he tries it.
Something a few of us learned the hard way. But thanks for putting the video out, as it serves as a good PSA/reminder. I've made it a practice to go through and manually toggle off auto reactions from the spell book whenever new ones are added. While it slows down some combats, it is indeed very helpful in not wasting reactions and lightning charges from Shadowheart (I respeced her to thunder cleric, gave her the sparky bow, boots, armor and the gloves that do extra when dealing thunder/lightning damage) on the enemies who aren't vulnerable, and letting her unleash those on the one who will get totally fried by it.
something on paper sounds like I would hate but found refreshing is the general scarcity of strong ingredients. also the potions are really meaningful in the game dont just go for the healing ones they all have their uses
Slight mistake on the potion of everlasting Vigor my good man: She doesn't take his blood, she gets her jollies off of him taking her blood! Vampire spawn and all that!
Enjoy this extra potion as well! Elixir of Universal Resistance Effects: Grants resistance to all damage until your next long rest Ingredients: Divine Bone Shard (x3 Vitriol of Divine Miasma) + Any Sublimate EDIT: Heads up for sorcerers, turns out that in a recent patch Angelic Slumber's ability to restore spell slots for sorcerers while keeping their sorcerery points was patched out of the game! Angelic Slumber still remains one of strongest potions in the game though. 🍻
