>>5250191>>5250481>>5253366>Let's walk and talk, wait our turn, and find an opportunity to:>Ask Strahd why he was going after Ireena>Ask Strahd what his plans are now that Lady Wachter has taken over the town>[...] there's no need to express further distaste about his realm. The question of escaping the realm with the Vistani should be asked to the Vistani and not Strahd.You look upon the ruined chapel and reflect. If Barovia is Strahd's prison, he probably does not have a great idea on how to escape it, and you don't want to risk incurring his wrath by insulting his home while you tour his castle. The fact that the Vistani are able to leave at will is enough of a lead for you. When the time comes, you will seek their wisdom on the matter.
For now, Strahd has promised you he will help you on the matter of locating your sister after the tour. You will continue the tour and use the time with him to collect as much information as you can about Strahd's motivations.
"I'd like to keep going," you say. "Take me to the next place of interest, and we can talk on the way."
Strahd exits the same way you entered the chapel, and you follow him back toward the main hall.
As you walk through the hall of fallen knights, you ask about Vallaki. "Lady Fiona told me she is taking control of the town, and that you are backing her. What are your plans?"
Strahd slows his pace, admiring the statues in the hall as he answers you. "To tell you the truth of it, I do not care what happens to Vallaki. You may think that preposterous, but my role in Fiona Wachter's affairs is one of friendship - I help her because she helps me."
"So you're not actually interested in the politics of Vallaki? You are just helping Lady Wachter because of her connection with you? You are the Lord of the valley, why take that stance?"
"Be more clear about what you mean," he says.
"Well, Vallaki had a wall. They arrested me when I arrived out of fear that I was one of your spies. I mean no disrespect, it's just... do you not care about your public perception? Or do you feel that it's irreparable."
"It is wonderful what tricks our dreams play us, and how conveniently we can imagine," Strahd says. "The people of Vallaki dislike me because I am a threat. It would take me very little effort to crush Vallaki if that is what I wanted. So why don't I?"
You think for a moment. "Because... it's more useful for you to cultivate their hope?"
"Exactly," he says. "They can have their walls, and they can fight over their festivals. It matters little who sits on their illusion of a government. As long as they feel like they are getting by, and they remain complacent, and that gives me a kingdom to rule. For my subjects to lose all hope and die, or to become too bold and make the mistake of challenging me, as some have done in the past... in both cases, I would no longer have a Land to rule."
(cont.)
