Totems of the Svalich Woods
A one-on-one Curse of Strahd adventure! For DMs and players of Curse of Strahd ¸ Totems of the Svalich Woods is a one-shot side quest for one player and one DM or an additional Barovian adventure for duet CoS campaigns! Several forms of darkness permeate this adventure. The twisted¸ primal evil of the Svalich Woods and the Dark Powers represents one manifestation¸ but the town of Barovia and its traditions encompass another. Adventurers must resist both of these expressions of darkness to help a distressed young man. The village sent his sister into the forest as a sacrifice to the dark being that dwells within. Ultimately¸ this rescue quest leads to a confrontation with the leshen¸ an undead hunter who serves as the forest's spirit guardian and enforces the Dark Powers' whims. This adventure takes place outside the village of Barovia and functions as a side quest or one-on-one session in a Curse of Strahd campaign. It could also be placed in the Forgotten Realms¸ at the edge of the Cold Wood¸ for instance¸ or any homebrew location that has dark forests. This adventure assumes that you have access to the Players Handbook ¸ the Monster Manual ¸ Curse of Strahd ¸ Volo's Guide to Monsters ¸ and the Dungeon Master's Guide. Items or creatures not referenced in these texts will be referenced in the appendices. If you're looking for an intense and atmospheric adventure deep in the Svalich Woods¸ you've found it. This Adventure Includes: Full one-shot adventure for levels 7 or 8 One sidekick character (or DMPC) Beautiful art Well-rounded NPCs Three new creatures and Two custom magical items Connecting to Other One-on-One Adventures If you're looking for similar one-on-one adventures¸ In the Heart of the Forest is an immersive one-shot adventure that also takes place in a dark forest and would fit in well alongside Totems of the Svalich Woods. If you're new to one-on-one play¸ we'd love for you to check out the Crystalline Curse Trilogy ¸ our three introductory duet adventures¸ and we have additional advice and resources at dndduet.com A previous version of this adventure¸ scaled for groups¸ was published as part of The Bloodties Anthology¸ Volume I: Bloodstained as "Roots of the Elkmire." If you're on the hunt for a variety of blood-themed adventures for tiers 1 and 2¸ please check out the anthology! Thank you! I'd love for you to follow me on Twitter @GroveGuardian or on Instagram @dndduet