Strahd in Dragon 315 - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Strahd in Dragon 315

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
Dec 21, 2003 19:05:10 Overall, I rather enjoyed the article, but one thing still seems off to me. As I am new to the setting, perhaps it is only my (limited) knowledge that causes this. Does anyone else find it odd that Strahd, who, IIRC was a soldier/warlord for many years before becoming a vampire, has NO levels in fighter? He is defined as a Necromancer - no multiclassing. Just 2 (or better yet 4) levels of fighter would do much to help explain his background. After all, so many years of war and combat must have left some type of mark in his class selection.

Any thoughts on this?
#2
john_w._mangrum
Dec 21, 2003 19:18:47 My understanding is that the article's intent is to provide a fairly faithful conversion of Strahd's stats as he was presented in the Ravenloft module, and then as he was presented in 2nd edition.
#3
zombiegleemax
Dec 21, 2003 19:56:39
Originally posted by Aurotuli
Overall, I rather enjoyed the article, but one thing still seems off to me. As I am new to the setting, perhaps it is only my (limited) knowledge that causes this. Does anyone else find it odd that Strahd, who, IIRC was a soldier/warlord for many years before becoming a vampire, has NO levels in fighter? He is defined as a Necromancer - no multiclassing. Just 2 (or better yet 4) levels of fighter would do much to help explain his background. After all, so many years of war and combat must have left some type of mark in his class selection.

Any thoughts on this?

A more appropriate version of Strahd, not just a direct conversion like John as said, is featured in Secrets of the Dread Realms and Gazeteer I. In this version, he does have figther levels.
#4
zombiegleemax
Dec 21, 2003 20:01:17 Thank you for your replies. I've looked for Secrets of the Dread Realms but have not yet found a copy at local bookstores. I may have to order online. Same with Gazetteer I (although 3 and now 4 are both findable at the local book stores). Thanks again.
#5
zombiegleemax
Dec 21, 2003 20:12:18 I would just like to say that soon Secrets of the Dread Realms will be obsolete. It featured 3 distinct things.

1-The Witch Hunter prestige class
2-A DM screen featuring a few Ravenloft tables and a large table for skill checks DC
3-Most of the Darklords of the Core.

Now since this 3rd part takes most of the page count, I wouldn't recommend it if you are planning on buying the Gazetteers for they include all those Darklords (including 3 who were missing from SotDR: Inza, Death and Tristan ApBlanc).
The last darklords (the Three Hags, Tristessa and Tristen Hiregaard) will be in the upcoming Gazetteer V.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Dec 21, 2003 19:05:10	Overall, I rather enjoyed the article, but one thing still seems off to me. As I am new to the setting, perhaps it is only my (limited) knowledge that causes this. Does anyone else find it odd that Strahd, who, IIRC was a soldier/warlord for many years before becoming a vampire, has NO levels in fighter? He is defined as a Necromancer - no multiclassing. Just 2 (or better yet 4) levels of fighter would do much to help explain his background. After all, so many years of war and combat must have left some type of mark in his class selection. Any thoughts on this?
#2 john_w._mangrum Dec 21, 2003 19:18:47	My understanding is that the article's intent is to provide a fairly faithful conversion of Strahd's stats as he was presented in the Ravenloft module, and then as he was presented in 2nd edition.
#3 zombiegleemax Dec 21, 2003 19:56:39	Originally posted by Aurotuli Overall, I rather enjoyed the article, but one thing still seems off to me. As I am new to the setting, perhaps it is only my (limited) knowledge that causes this. Does anyone else find it odd that Strahd, who, IIRC was a soldier/warlord for many years before becoming a vampire, has NO levels in fighter? He is defined as a Necromancer - no multiclassing. Just 2 (or better yet 4) levels of fighter would do much to help explain his background. After all, so many years of war and combat must have left some type of mark in his class selection. Any thoughts on this? A more appropriate version of Strahd, not just a direct conversion like John as said, is featured in Secrets of the Dread Realms and Gazeteer I. In this version, he does have figther levels.
#4 zombiegleemax Dec 21, 2003 20:01:17	Thank you for your replies. I've looked for Secrets of the Dread Realms but have not yet found a copy at local bookstores. I may have to order online. Same with Gazetteer I (although 3 and now 4 are both findable at the local book stores). Thanks again.
#5 zombiegleemax Dec 21, 2003 20:12:18	I would just like to say that soon Secrets of the Dread Realms will be obsolete. It featured 3 distinct things. 1-The Witch Hunter prestige class 2-A DM screen featuring a few Ravenloft tables and a large table for skill checks DC 3-Most of the Darklords of the Core. Now since this 3rd part takes most of the page count, I wouldn't recommend it if you are planning on buying the Gazetteers for they include all those Darklords (including 3 who were missing from SotDR: Inza, Death and Tristan ApBlanc). The last darklords (the Three Hags, Tristessa and Tristen Hiregaard) will be in the upcoming Gazetteer V.