Strahd's Domain

There isn't a huge amount of merchandise out there for Strahd Von Zarovich fans, but this page shows the official stuff which you can dig your nails into!

Strahd features heavily in some video games, but these are covered on their own page.

He is also a major character in the following novels, also covered on their own page:

• Vampire of the Mists
• Knight of the Black Rose
• I, Strahd: The Memoirs of a Vampire
• (Caretaker) Tales of Ravenloft
• I, Strahd: The War Against Azalin

My knowledge of the Strahd Von Zarovich figures which are available is as poor as the peasants who live in Barovia, but I know that the last of these three is part of a boxed set containing figures of Strahd, Harkon Lukas, Adam, Azalin, Hazlik, Lord Soth, a damsel, a gypsy, a vampiress and a banshee.

NB: I don't know where these pictures have come from, so apologies for the lack of credit - if you own any of them, and can prove it, then I shall give you due credit or remove the picture at your request.

The very first Ravenloft title back in 1983 involved a team of adventurous role-players seeking to sneak into Castle Ravenloft (hence the name of the series) and destroy Strahd Von Zarovich. It is for this reason that Strahd has become so integral and famous within the series, and the success of the original title sparked several remakes and a sequel. They are all listed below.

Ravenloft (I6) #9075 (paperback): This was the very first Ravenloft adventure, released in 1983, and got its name from the castle the players have to sneak into. Since then the series has adopted the name "Ravenloft" as its title. In this adventure by Tracy and Laura Hickman (famous for their contribution within the Dragonlance series, Tracy especially) a team of adventurers must enter the forboding Castle Ravenloft in order to destroy the vampire who lives there. No prizes for guessing who that is! This core adventure has been so thoroughly enjoyed that it has been revamped - excuse the pun - on a number of occasions (detailed below). This 32-page book comes with a removable card which has a detailed map of the castle on one side, and a map of the village of Barovia on the other. There are a few large black and white pictures in the book too. Intended for 6-8 players at character level 5-7.

Ravenloft: 25th Anniversary Edition (version 1): Almost identical to the one above, just reprinted in 1999 to mark the 25th Anniversary of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. Differences include a "Silver Anniversary" emblem on the front cover, and slightly different colouring to the maps. It's part of the Dungeons & Dragons Silver Anniversary Collector's Edition boxed set.

Ravenloft: 25th Anniversary Edition (version 2): This version differed more from the original than the other 25th Anniversary edition. The cover had an elaborate silver border in honour of AD&D's anniversary, and with 48 pages it also boasted more content than the original or other anniversary edition. However, it is unclear whether the character levels are supposed to be 5-7 (like the original) or 11-13.

Master of Ravenloft (paperback): In much the same vein (excuse the pun again!) as the original Ravenloft adventure, Master of Ravenloft was a gamebook released in 1986 and was the sixth in the AD&D Gamebook series. It had 189 pages with 345 sections and 15 potential endings. You play a character called Jeren Sureblade, a very skilled paladin, who wants to destroy - yup, you've guessed it! - Strahd von Zarovich in his own castle! Why? Because Jeren wants to save a young girl from becoming on of Strahd's undead.

Ravenloft II: The House on Gryphon Hill (I10) #9181 (paperback): Following the success of the original module, a sequel was released in 1986, The House on Gryphon Hill. Although initially intended to be a straight sequel to Ravenloft, the two plots could be merged together for an alternative adventure. The book has 48 pages, a tri-fold cover plus a fold-out map and accessory sheet. Intended for 4-6 players at character level 8-10.

House of Strahd (RM4) #9418 (paperback): Released in 1993, this 64-page book with separate cover and large pull-out map of Barovia and Castle Ravenloft is pretty much a revision and expansion of the original adventure, incorporating the new AD&D 2nd edition rules. The things that make this adventure different from I6 include Strahd's variable goals, the option of a more powerful Strahd, hints for the Dungeon Master on how to play Strahd, and two new fortune-telling methods, one of which makes use of the Forbidden Lore boxed set's Tarokka deck. Since Strahd can be a more powerful character in this version of the adventure, the game is intended for 4-6 players at character level 6-13.

Expedition to Castle Ravenloft (hardback): After a fairly legnthy gap, the original module was rereleased yet again in 2006 as Expedition to Castle Ravenloft. Quite a bulky tome, this hardback book boasts 226 pages. Although based on the original story by Tracy and Laura Hickman, this edition is somewhat different from other rereleases. It has been designed for characters of level 6-10 and is flexible enough to be played over many sessions or as single-session adventures. You can incorporate the adventure into generic campaigns but surprisingly does not suggest using a Ravenloft setting!

From The Shadows (RQ3) #9375 (paperback): In 1992 this adventure was released in the form of a 64-page book complete with a fold-out map. It is the first of two adventures which use Azalin and Strahd's long-standing hatred as the basis for a storyline. Included are complete blueprints for Azalin's forboding abode, Castle Avernus.

Roots of Evil (RM1) #9413 (paperback): This is the sequel to From the Shadows and was released in 1993 as a 96-page book with tri-fold cover. It continues to focus on the theme of Azalin and Strahd's ongoing hatred, and the players have to expiate their unintentional evil deeds which they previously committed as the lich Azalin's pawns.

Realm of Terror #1053 (boxed set): This Ravenloft boxed set was released in 1990 and contains a 144-page book which goes into great detail about the world of Ravenloft. It also has all the rules for using magic, creating fear, and details 30 terrible lands and their masters. Also in the box are 4 large full-colour maps depicting the domains and deadly dwellings, 24 full-colour cardstock sheets of evil people and places, and a transparent map overlay used for measuring distances.

Forbidden Lore #1079 (boxed set): 1992 saw the release of this new Ravenloft boxed set, an expansion to the Realms of Terror set. This box is full of books and a couple of other exciting additions to make gameplay more realistic and interactive. In the box you will find: Dark Recesses - a book concerning the power of the mind and its place in Ravenloft; Nova Arcanum - a book of new spells for Strahd Von Zarovich; Oaths of Evil - a book of rules for cursing and how to use curses effectively in Ravenloft; The Walking Dream - a guide to Vistani fortune-telling; a fold-out map; 54 card Tarokka deck with instructions; and a set of Dikesha dice from the land of Har'Akir used to predict the future.

Ravenloft Campaign Setting #1108 (boxed set): Released in 1994, this boxed set contains a host of goodies about Ravenloft baddies! It merges the Realm of Terror and Forbidden Lore sets and has updated rules. Included are: Realm of Terror - a 160-page book of rules about making characters; Domains and Denizens - a 128-page book which goes into detail about the domains of the core, the islands and the evil people who inhabit them; two maps including one of the core and one of the islands of terror; a poster of Strahd Von Zarovich by Robh Ruppel (the same picture as that on the front cover of the the original I, Strahd novel); a Tarokka deck of 54 cards for use in role-playing fortune-telling; and a Dungeon Master screen specifically designed for the Ravenloft campaign setting.

Domains of Dread #2174 (Hardback): A must for every Ravenloft fan's shelf! Hell, I don't even do roleplay and I'm glad I own this book! Released in 1997, Domains of Dread is a 288-page book giving full details of roleplaying in the Ravenloft world. Both players and DMs can discover the terrifying truths of the realm of the Mists. The book has full coverage of all domains on both the core and the islands, and everything you could want to know about the demiplane's inhabitants. It gives detailed guidelines for creating adventures and campaigns, rules for making characters, four new character classes, details about half-Vistani, thorough biographies of all the darklords, and so much more.

Van Richten's Guide to Vampires (RR3) #9345 (paperback): First things first: this is not a Strahd-related accessory, but I have included it here because it's a pretty damn good guide to Ravenloft vampires! Anything and everything you could want to know about how this type of undead operate is included in this book which means that you can play a vampire with greater autheticity, or predict how one might behave should you have the misfortune to meet one in an adventure! It is one of many guides by Dr. Rudolph Van Richten, whom in all honesty I am surprised is not dead, or worse. This book was published in 1991 and has 96 pages, complete with black and white pictures. It is intended for all character levels. Other Van Richten guides include: Ghosts, Lich, Werebeasts, Created, Ancient Dead, Fiends and Vistani.

Darklords (RR1) #9331 (paperback): Again, this is not Strahd-related. The reason why this 1991 96-page accessory is included here is because Strahd Von Zarovich is a darklord. OK, so he does not feature in this book but there are many truly sinister characters described in this book which may help you appreciate the world of Ravenloft and its evil masters even more. The book is meant for character levels of 5 or above and is complete with pictures, maps and diagrams.

Children of the Night: Vampires #9513 (paperback): Released in 1996, this paperback accessory contains 96 pages describing 13 horrific Ravenloft vampires. Alas, Strahd is not one of them, although Jander Sunstar from the Vampire of the Mists novel and Lyssa Von Zarovich (whose great-uncle is none other than our favourite Strahd Von Zarovich) may appeal to you. The book contains detailed biographies and short adventures to play with each. The book also shows you how to fight them all and how to use them as recurring villains in your adventures. Other titles in the Children of the Night series include: Ghosts, Werebeasts and the Created.