Written by: Alex LeFort
Ravenloft is arguably the most popular Dungeons and Dragons setting of all time, evidenced by the fact that its latest adventure iteration, Curse of Strahd, despite being released early in 5th Edition’s life cycle, has the largest online community of players and DMs dedicated to its discussion compared to anything else that has come before or since. Its sandbox organisation makes it ideal for DMs to insert their own twists and horrors into the setting of Ravenloft, especially when compared to more linear adventures such as Dragon Heist or Descent into Avernus.
Whether you’re looking for some battlemaps for random encounters described in the book, to adapt Ravenloft lore, or to insert some entirely new creations into your version of Barovia, this top ten list of Czepeku map variations is sure to have something to trigger your imagination.
10. Dark Woods Edge
No journey through the heart of Barovia is complete without braving its treacherous woodlands. The "Dark Woods Edge" map offers the perfect setting for your party's foray into these cursed woods. Here, the line between the living and the dead blurs, with ancient trees whispering secrets of the past and unseen creatures stalking every step.
The fog variant adds an extra layer of mystique, perfect for when the party is attempting to follow a ghostly procession to a hidden glen or when Strahd’s wolves come bounding out of the brush to meet them in a fury of fur and claws.
9. Crossroads
At the heart of every tale of fate and destiny is a crossroads, and in Barovia, such places are fraught with danger and opportunity in equal measure. The "Crossroads" map serves as one such decision point for the adventurers. Will they head towards the ominous Castle Ravenloft, seek refuge in the nearby village, or venture into the unknown depths of the Svalich Woods?
The Will O’Wisp variant is a poignant background for encounters with wandering spirits seeking closure or a desperate battle with Strahd’s minions under an onslaught of rain. It’s also a thematic locale for mysterious strangers to offer quests, pleas, or bargains. Perhaps an emissary from the Keepers of the Feather meets the party here to deliver them an omen or warning.
8. Banshee Moor
Berez was once a thriving village within the lands of Barovia but fell to ruin and became marshland after being cursed by Strahd von Zarovich. The swampy ruins it hosts provide a distinctive setting for exploration and combat, as well as a chance for the party to run into the infamous Baba Lysaga.
Berez holds countless secrets waiting to be unearthed. Whether seeking artifacts of power lost in the flood, attempting to commune with the spirits of the village, or confronting minions of the dark witch, the party’s ventures into the swamp are sure to be filled with mystery and peril. The Banshee Moor map, especially its Ghostly variant, is a great backdrop for tales of resilience, tragedy, or both.
7. Forgotten Chapel Graveyard
Looking to add a new location to your campaign? Consider the Forgotten Chapel Graveyard map. Just beyond the decrepit walls of this ruined chapel lies its graveyard, an expanse of untended graves and solemn mausoleums that guard some of Barovia’s forgotten souls. Under the shadow of Castle Ravenloft, this somber field of stone and silence offers adventurers a poignant reminder of the land's pervasive sorrow and the countless stories buried beneath its soil. Perhaps the chapel once belonged to the Order of the Silver Dragon, whose knights vowed to oppose Strahd but now haunt Barovia as revenants.
It’s here that the party might uncover ancient epitaphs hinting at hidden entrances to a crypt below or cursed plots that house powerful undead, reluctant to part with their secrets or their treasures.
6. Forgotten Chapel Crypt
If you’re considering the chapel, don’t stop at the surface level—dig deeper with the Forgotten Chapel Crypt. Beneath the ruins, accessed through the overgrown pathways of its haunting graveyard, its crypt unfolds like a darkened labyrinth of faith shattered by Strahd’s curse. Within its somber confines, adventurers may encounter the spirits of clerics who, corrupted by Strahd's dark influence, now guard the very relics they once venerated. These spectral guardians, caught between devotion and damnation, could lead the brave to hidden holy artifacts or reveal portions of the tragic history of the Order of the Silver Dragon.
5. Bone Dryad Ossuary
As written, Curse of Strahd doesn’t have very much to do with dryads. What if you wanted to change that? What if you wanted to add an entirely new faction to your version of Barovia? Consider something like the Bone Dryads—dryads who have been afflicted by Barovia’s despair and morphed into terrifying and majestic beings, embodying the land’s defiance against its eternal captor. The Bone Dryad Ossuary, veiled in the mist, may hold the key to understanding these enigmatic creatures and the power they wield over death and rebirth in Barovia. Are they friend or foe to the party? That’s up to you and your players.
4. Experimental Surgery Theater
This might feel familiar for those who’ve played through Baldur’s Gate 3 and encountered a certain ‘medical professional’ in the shadow-cursed lands of the game’s second act. Regardless of whether or not you’re familiar with developer Larian’s latest work, consider the worldbuilding implications of a hospital and Experimental Surgery Theatre consumed by the mists, helmed by a tormented surgeon enveloped by madness who may or may not have a relationship with Strahd himself. Once dedicated to healing the sick, it now harbours dark experiments that weave together the fabric of science and necromancy. Perhaps the Keepers of the Feather or the Order of the Silver Dragon are interested in the hospital and its doctor as a source of knowledge, or perhaps the people of the Abbey of Saint Markovia consider it a rival institution.
3. Alchemy Dungeon
Castle Ravenloft is massive, but if you’re interested in making it even bigger, why not retrofit it with an alchemical laboratory within its dungeons? The Alchemy Dungeon map, particularly the Blue or Watched variants, can add a new layer of intrigue to the famous castle, maybe with its own new NPC. Consider: this secretive chamber is overseen by the enigmatic alchemist Gazimir. Within these stone walls, ancient potions and forbidden elixirs bubble and brew, promising power, transformation, or oblivion to those daring enough to partake. Gazimir, rumoured to have been Strahd’s advisor before falling out of favour, now toils in the shadows, obsessed with finding the ultimate alchemical solution to Barovia’s curse. Adventurers seeking to unravel the mysteries of Strahd’s immortality or to gain new allies in their fight against the vampire lord may find a potential ally in Gazimir if they play their cards right.
2 and 1. Bone Mill Interior and Exterior
Old Bonegrinder is iconic, as is the coven of hags that it hosts, led by Morgantha. No disrespect to Mike Schley here, because his maps are gorgeous and the existing map that accompanies this famous windmill is no exception. It is, however, quite cramped, and maybe you want to give your party some more room to manoeuvre. See the Bone Mill, including its interior and exterior, as a sort of remix of this well-known location. With some minor adjustments to the existing text of the campaign, you can put a new spin on a classic while making sure that the party has plenty of space to spar with the hags, should they be reckless enough to do so.
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