Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession - The Beginning Bit
                       by James Judge

When selecting your characters bear in mind that you will be able
to recruit (in the early stages) two fighters and a magician, so
I'd pick a Cleric and a Ranger if I were you. The sex doesn't
matter but make sure that you don't choose an elf as these elf
types cannot be resurrected (and that is very annoying!).

Before you pursue the thief check on your inventory and see
whether you have any bracers or rings you can wear to lower your
armour class. Also before you go into battle just get used to the
control methods and see which is best for you.  Also try and use
the keyboard to move around as being able to move and fight is a
very important skill later on.

Once you are ready charge in and, after a few well placed blows,
the thief should be dead and he will have dropped a few items.
Pick them up and (if you have a chance) read the note (don't worry
if you can't - look at it later on).

Now you will be whisked away to Ravenloft. As soon as you appear
head straight for the building you see and then look for a button
on the left wall, turn around and head down the trap door. Here
pick up all the equipment and then head back topside.

Save the game and get ready for a quick battle then a very long
run. Inch out of the building an dispatch the two worgs and then
run to the right as far as you can. Soon you'll see a camp-fire.
Head towards it and click on the character who is sitting down.
Release him and then run back to the hut. Don't engage any
monsters during this time as you will soon be bogged down, just
run and weave until you are back to the hut. Head to the cellar
and rest, remembering to pray or memorise spells. Equip the
fighter you released with some armour and move him to the front
ranks. Now head back to the camp-fire but kill everything on the
way. At the camp-fire kill the Goblyn that is hiding in the trees
and then pick up all of the items. Now head north and watch out
for another pile of equipment on the ground.

Once you have found that run to the other side of the forest to
find another stash and then head back north to where you can see
a brick wall. Find an opening and enter.

Once in the Svalich road turn right and continue forward until you
are ambushed. Kill the bandits and decide what to do with the
last one (I'd kill him). Continue down the road and when you come
across a man talk to him and then look for what looks like a
boulder near the wall. Search around here until you find a way to
open the secret passage and enter. Watch out because while the
monsters in here are easy to kill they can poison you and that is
not a good idea at this stage in the game. Kill everyone (be on
the look-out for an attack by two or three worgs from the rear)
and then take all of the equipment you feel you need.  Go back to
the road and continue down it until you enter the village.

Looking at your automap go to the top right-hand corner where you
will find a large building (the burgomaster's place). Enter it
and then have a look around - there are a few scrolls and potions
up for the taking. Recruit the female elf (mage) and then talk to
the burgomaster. Say that you will accept Strahd's invitation and
watch the 'animated' scene.

Now when you arrive back in the village turn right and go through
the next exit you come across. Run right across the field and then
look for a women standing by the wall. Recruit her (dropping the
elf, remembering to remove all armour etc first) and then head
down into the dungeon that is through the door near her.  You will
come across a large gentleman <hah> who you must recruit too. Drop
Fhalkon and then progress with the dungeon until you find the
portal. Go through it and then re-recruit the mage and fighter
you dropped.  In the dungeon be on the look-out for teleporters
and bone golems.  The golems can be paralysed or confused with
your clerics turn dead ability and as you have to, there should be
no problem.  Also watch out for traps (ie the lightning) as they
can be particularly deadly.

After completing the dungeon you can explore the village (there is
a wand in the warehouses) and then you must go into the
churchyard and enter the church (unlocking it with the key from
the dungeon). The idea of this place is to release a spirit from a
mirror. To do this collect four pieces of parchment (although I
have done it with only three!) and then put them in the book. Use
the book in front of the mirror and then talk to the priest. Also
note where the set of golden bones are.

Now, if you are possessed go straight to the graveyard and head
for the tomb that is to the right of your starting position. Open
it with the key from the ghost's place and kill the monster
inside. Take all of the items and head outside and back into the
churchyard (collecting the blood key from the spirit on the way
out). Go into the church again and go to the golden set of bones
and use the Rod Of Rebirth on it. Decline the cleric's offer but
accept the key.

Go back to the ghost's place and use the key to get a gem.  Now go
back to the graveyard and go to the tomb that is (upon entry) in
the top right-hand corner. Search the graveyard for two bags of
dust and use one on each of the statues, gain their blessings and
then enter the crypt.

From here you are on your own. I've given you more than a flying
start and after completing this crypt you can think about
tackling Castle Ravenloft.

Good luck...













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