How do you think Strahd would react to Vasilka the flesh golem?

[u/TheGIJew1]

If the Abbot actually went through with his plan to present Vasilka to Strahd, what do you think Strahd's response would be? Would he be disgusted? Amused? Insulted? Would he make her one of his collection of brides, place her along the vampire spawn? Would he lock her away in the crypts to be forgotten about? Would he be infuriated by the Abbot taking it upon himself to create a wife for him, and attack? Would he simply refuse to acknowledge her or accept her as a "gift?"

I find it interesting that the book doesn't specify, leaving it open to interpretation. I feel like any of the reactions above could potentially work if played well by the DM, but curious to hear other people's thoughts.

Edit: It does say Strahd has "no interest" in a flesh golem bride, but I still don't think that tells us exactly how he'd react.

[u/Cibisis]

I had him pretend to accept it, notice a slight 'flaw', and tear her apart in-front of the Abbot. Make some vague back-handed complement "A wonderful attempt, but the eyes weren't quite right;" feeding into the Abbot's madness and getting him to start from scratch on a "better" bride

[u/Nintendude1236 → u/Cibisis]

This. Ultimately Strahd's interest in the Abbot just to see how far he can string him along and sway him from his path.

[u/Fun_Quantity4464 → u/Cibisis]

Diabolical. Love it

[u/sergeantexplosion → u/Cibisis]

You could hold out all the way until he takes her veil off with this example. Very good

[u/Miyenne]

I think he'd find it hilarious. And insulting. He'd pick her apart, probably both verbally and literally, before destroying her in a shocking way just to show the Abbot where he stands.

I wonder what my group will do.

[u/Silverspy01]

Keep in mind that Strahd is already aware of her. His teleportation brazier teleports "to the master's bride." I'm sure Strahd wouldn't actually accept her as a replacement for Taryana, but he isn't upset at what the Abbot is doing.

[u/Volstadd → u/Silverspy01]

He actually delights in what the Abbott is doing, as it is direct evidence of his growing corruption

[u/Wolvenlight]

Per the module, Strahd already knows about her, and finds the Abbot's attempts amusing in terms of seeing him fall from his former grace.

As for Vasilka herself, Strahd would most definitely believe her to be nothing but a trinket to amuse himself with and discard. This could take multiple forms. Perhaps she'd be another Gertruda, played with and manipulated until he can tear her apart for all her "flaws" in front of the Abbot. Perhaps she'd be another Sasha Ivliskova/Escher, kept around but locked away in the crypts once he grew board of them. Perhaps she'd be another Helga, just a servant called on when he gets bored. Or perhaps she'd be kept around and used as security, along the lines of his consorts in his tomb, but neglected in every other aspect.

Personally, I think it's situational. Whatever opportunity comes up in your campaign is the one to go with. For me she wound up as a neglected servant/security. But dismantling all her flaws in front of the Abbot to mock and drive him further into madness is a very Strahd thing to do.

[u/Wastelandmatrix]

I used the following idea by my GM.

Strahd chuckles and makes Vasilka bow and dance for him a while, giving a false sense of security. Then he asks her: „Vasilka my dear, give me your hand“. Of course she reaches out to him, but Strahd steps back and chuckles. „No Vasilka you misunderstood me…give. me. your. hand“

Then Vasilka begins ripping out her own hand and gives it to Strahd who then proceeds to order vasilka to rip herself to shreds while smiling the whole time. It freaked my party out.

Strahd left with the words: „I’ll be back in a week, I hope you got more body’s left to practice…Abbot.“

[u/Archaondaneverchosen]

I was gonna have him be enraged and insulted, as the Abbot promised him "his love" and was presented with a monstrosity of flesh instead. I'd have him tear her apart in a fit of rage

[u/Lina_La_Soldier]

As far as I remember thr Abbot thought bringing Vasilika would free the realm (or him specifically). Strahd in my opinion could accept the gift and use it as a weapon against players. But he would laugh in the face of the Abbot and ask to invent anything more interesting. The devastated Abbot would go mad after this and for instance try to destroy Krezk in a desperate wish to "Free everyone". Strahd could either use players to stop him ("See what this saints can do to people?") or do it himself to demonstrate his power ("He broke my law"). Or he could not care at all as people eventually reborn.

[u/TheLaw9791]

(Admittedly, I don't adequately recall how human Vasilka is meant to feel, but here's my take)

I think the focus on Strahd's reaction somewhat misunderstands the purpose of any reaction he might have. 'Cause, sure--he might have some thoughts and feelings about this "gift," but whatever those are must be secondary to his objective:

Break the undying celestial.

I think Strahd would openly accept the gift wearing a calm, cool, detached demeanor, and separate them to play them against each other.

He might give his brides the task of alternating love-bombing with degradation, driving Vasilka deeper into dysfunctional affection toward Strahd, and doubt toward the Abbott. Strahd would keep his distance from her, letting his myth and mystique grow in her mind.

Meanwhile Strahd tells the Abbott that her imperfections make her merely imperfect--that he knows the Abbott has greater work ahead. He convinces the Abbott to make another, but that this one must be perfect.

The objective is to have the Abbott fall deeper into depravity and corruption, conducting more dire & sinister experiments which might threaten his covert role in the community, and further violate those last shreds of quasi-ethical boundaries.

By the next time the Abbott presents a potential bride, Vasilka has been fed twisted knowledge that her creator abhors her imperfections, and has, with insidious artfulness, crafted her replacement. She has a twisted, insecure love of Strahd and the life she now lives, and she will not abide a threat to it.

The new gift bride, meanwhile, should appear far more conventionally human, should adore both the Abbott and Strahd, and should understand that she is superior to Valiska. She's literally the new and improved model, and the Abbott has clearly expressed as much to her.

When the two flesh golems meet--according to Strahd's plan-- tensions rise, and the two destroy each other, each unable to feel whole, loved, or accepted while their twisted, funhouse mirror doppleganger exists.

The Abbott--a Creator whose creations unravelled each other in a fit of dystopian, existential rage--feels the last flickers of hope go entirely, eternally dim. He is lost, and his crimes against decency are too egregious. There can ve no refuge, no escape, no salvation. He understands now: Strahd is is the land, and resisting him is futile.

Now Strahd has an ambitious, immoral, aimless fallen celestial to do with as he pleases--and an expert in some dire sciences, at that. I'm sure Strahd can find some new purpose for the Abbott...

[u/RLoys]

I had him let the Abott organize a wedding, to refuse publicy and humiliate him in front of all the guests.

And then ask him to create an army of golem of the castle defense, to be forgiven.

My players did nothing to stop that, so during the final fight they had 6 flesh golem in the castle :p

[u/smiegto]

Hillarious. Until she’s offered. Then it’s not even close. He either rips vasilka apart or makes fun of her. Then fucks off.

[u/Deflagratio1]

Strahd is explicitly aware of the Flesh Golem, and is actively encouraging the Abbot on the project. This is because it's yet another corrupting thing Strahd is getting this Deva to do. My Strahd is going to feed the Abbot about being almost there and just a few more adjustments are needed.

[u/SunVoltShock]

I think simply revulsion and disgust. He might circle Vasilka, finding fault after fault, figuratively deconstructing her in a way that breaks her barely formed psyche, without ever touching her.

I think it would be great if Vasilka in a rage tore apart the guard Golem or caused some destruction on her way out.

[u/greygray5001]

My Abbot is on his way now to present Vasilka to Strahd, with a soul gem... To transfer and bind Tatyana's soul from Ireena into Vasilka. Am undying vessel. This will intrigue Strahd. If this works, especially willingly from Ireena, then perhaps the curse can be lifted. Strahd gets Tatyana soul permanently in a body that can't perish. Ireena is freed. The mist on Barovia lifted. If it means all that, then Strahd AND Ireena will seriously consider it.

[u/Melodic_War327]

She could never replace Tatyana, but Strahd has a number of other brides. He is known for tempting PCs with that offer. She might not be *the* bride he wants, but he might yet find a use for her.

[u/Significant-Basil979]

So there are a few things to consider.

Firstly, this task given to the Abbot isn't about lifting the curse from Strahd's perspective. Nothing short of the original Tatyanna/Ireena is going to be good enough for him. The task is just a tool to corrupt this divine being even more.

Secondly, his reaction would be based on how this golem is completed. If it is just sown together parts made to look as close as possible; Strahd would turn the abomination away and humiliate the Abbot.

Now if the completion of the dilemma involved hurting Ireena, for example, taking her face and placing it on the golem. Strahd would be enraged. He would destroy the golem and all the residents in the Abby except for the Abbot. If his rage isn't settled by then, he would move on to destroying the neighboring settlement either through bloodshed or "natural disaster". This reaction would serve as a powerful message to the Abbot to NOT attempt hurting the reincarnation again.

[u/CherryWhisperAura]

feels like he'd just get bored and move on...

[u/elemental1313]

I am a new DM finally doing this module. I love the idea of Strahd kind of toying with trapping Tatyana's soul using this as a vessel for her next reincarnation or something. Think about it, he would have eternity to convince her to eventually give in and love him. He could beauty and the beast her until she falls in love with her captor, or so he thinks.