It all starts with a letter:
Head to isolated Barovia.
Find spooky magic gates in the seemingly magic fog.
Find town under zombie (and assorted undead hangers on) siege.
Fight way to town square and meet Ashlyn the Paladin and Ismark the Burgomeisters son.
Everyone keeps recommending a fortune telling from Madame Eva at the gypsy camp.
Learn from Ashlyn:
- She and her two mates are the Lightbringers who came here seeking the legendary Sunsword.
They stormed off to the church and didn't come back.
Learn from Ismark:
- The plague began at the church, Danovich the priest lapsed in his vigil after his son was slain by bandits.
His father the Burgomeister is dead, before the zombie plague, blames Strahd.
The Devil Strahd rules the castle that overlooks town.
His sister Ireena is barricaded in his father's mansion with his body. But is otherwise fine.
His father didn't write the letter and though he has heard stories of hags in the hills, he knows nothing of curses on his sister.