The Curse of Strahd is a popular module for the tabletop role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons. It is part of the fifth edition of the game and is inspired by the classic adventure Ravenloft. In this module, players find themselves trapped in the mysterious and gothic land of Barovia, ruled by the vampire Count Strahd von Zarovich. The curse in question refers to the curse that Strahd himself is under, which has made him immortal and turned him into a vampire. This curse has also affected the entire land of Barovia, shrouding it with darkness and trapping its inhabitants in a perpetual state of fear. Players in this module must navigate the treacherous landscapes of Barovia and uncover its dark secrets in order to confront Strahd and find a way to break the curse.
Native Americans consider it a spiritual symbol, and leave offerings of tobacco to give thanks. They use the traditional name, "Manido Gizhigans," which means, "Spirit Little Cedar Tree."
In the old days, the Indians would portage across the point back to a gully to avoid passing the tree and the Evil Spirit that lives in it and dared only approach in large groups, drumming and singing, and bearing gifts of tobacco to appease the Evil Spirit. Appearing to grow out of bare rock along the Lake Superior shoreline east of Grand Portage is a sentinel-like small gnarled tree with twisted branches.
Players in this module must navigate the treacherous landscapes of Barovia and uncover its dark secrets in order to confront Strahd and find a way to break the curse. Along the way, they will encounter various allies and enemies, all of whom have their own stories and motivations. The Curse of Strahd module is known for its dark and atmospheric setting, with its gothic architecture, misty forests, and haunted castles.
Spirit of Lake Superior
On Hat Point along the northwest shore of Lake Superior stands a gnarled elder of the Grand Portage Band of Minnesota’s Ojibwe people: Manido Gee-zhi gance, Spirit Little Cedar Tree. To reach it, one must pass through a grove shrouded by old man’s beard, an ethereal, light-green lichen. The lichen is “very sensitive to air pollution, so we’re happy that it grows so well here,” says Seth Moore, wildlife biologist for the Grand Portage Band.
At the bottom of a steep trail waits the tribe’s sentinel, a northern white cedar, or arborvitae, in which a spirit is said to dwell. The species, Thuja occidentalis, grows slowly on cliff faces and in northern swamp forests. The earliest written record of this aged specimen is from the French Canadian explorer Sieur de la Vérendrye in 1731, who called it a mature cedar at the time.
The Witch Tree, as it was later named, likely began life in a fissure in the granite rock that lines the lake. There it survived gales, ice floes, and blizzards—for a time. Then an unknown event, perhaps a lightning strike, damaged the tree’s crown but left its main root alive. A root sprout arose, entwining the original trunk.
As the rock fissure in which the cedar grew slowly weathered, a deep path cracked open. The tree’s roots followed, extending into the lake. Manido Gee-zhi-gance became halfland, half-water. Beneath the surface, fish dart among the roots. Above the waves, the tree’s branches offer a safe haven to the eagle and the raven.
“When you go to the Witch Tree,” says Don Hoaglund, a Grand Portage Band member, “you’re stepping into a different world.” The tree was the sacred ground for prayers for a safe crossing of Lake Superior and for fishing success, writes Timothy Cochrane in Minong—The Good Place: Ojibwe and Isle Royale. Offerings of tobacco and ribbon—and earlier, vermilion—were placed in its tortuous branches. The gifts, it was hoped, would appease Mishipizheu, the Underwater Lynx. Mishipizheu, the Ojibwe whispered, dwelled in a lair in the lake’s depths. The tradition continues today. Visitors—who must be accompanied by a member of the Grand Portage Band—leave tokens in the tree’s arms.
For all its powers, the Witch Tree nearly met its end some thirty years ago: its rocky promontory, which was in private hands, came up for sale. “The guy who owned the land had a little shack where he used to sell souvenirs of the tree,” says Hoaglund. "People were taking pieces of it, destroying the Spirit Tree little by little.”
Hoaglund and fellow band member Bill Corcoran teamed up with Rick Novitsky, then-director of the Grand Portage Band’s natural resources department, to rescue the tree. Forming the “Friends of the Witch Tree,” they raised $85,000 to purchase the land. The last payment was made in May 1990. “We had to save it,” says Novitsky. “It embodies the determination and resilience of the Ojibwe people.”
Where there is life, however wizened, there remains spirit.
"You've got this tree that's growing out of the rock for at least 400 or 500 years," Novitsky said. "And just to stand in the presence of something that's living, that's that old, to me is mind-boggling."
It challenges players with difficult encounters, moral dilemmas, and suspenseful storytelling. It is recommended for experienced players and dungeon masters who are looking for a challenging and immersive adventure. Overall, the Curse of Strahd is a beloved module that has captivated players and dungeon masters alike with its rich lore, memorable characters, and haunting atmosphere. It continues to be a popular choice for those seeking a thrilling and atmospheric Dungeons and Dragons campaign..
Reviews for "Straud's Curse: A Journey into Darkness"
1. John - 2/5 stars
I had high hopes for "Cursd of straud" after hearing so much buzz about it, but I was left disappointed. Firstly, the plot felt extremely cliché and predictable. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it tough to connect with any of them. The pacing was also off, with slow moments dragging on and action scenes lacking excitement. Overall, "Cursd of straud" failed to live up to the hype for me.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars
I couldn't even finish "Cursd of straud" because the writing was just so poor. The grammar and spelling errors were distracting and made it difficult to follow the story. Additionally, the dialogue felt stilted and unnatural. It seemed like the author was trying too hard to be witty and clever, but it fell flat. I found myself cringing at the attempts at humor. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. Michael - 2/5 stars
"Cursd of straud" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver. The world-building felt shallow and underdeveloped, leaving me with more questions than answers. The relationships between the characters were also poorly explored, which made it hard to invest emotionally in their journeys. The book seemed to rely on shock value and twists, but they felt forced and lacked impact. Overall, "Cursd of straud" left me feeling unsatisfied and unengaged.
4. Emily - 2/5 stars
I had heard great things about "Cursd of straud," but unfortunately, it didn't resonate with me. The writing style was convoluted and filled with unnecessary details that bogged down the narrative. The pacing was inconsistent, making it difficult to stay engaged throughout the story. While there were moments of potential, they were overshadowed by the overall lackluster execution. I wanted to enjoy this book, but it ultimately fell short of my expectations.
5. David - 3/5 stars
"Cursd of straud" had its moments, but it didn't live up to the hype for me. The story had potential, but it felt like it was trying to tackle too many ideas at once, resulting in a convoluted and confusing narrative. The characters, though intriguing, lacked proper development, leaving me feeling disconnected from their struggles. While there were moments of suspense and excitement, they were undermined by the overall messy execution. I can understand why some people might enjoy this book, but it just wasn't for me.