How Strahd can break his curse

[tomokaicho]

Not long ago a poster here asked rhetorically something along the lines of "if Strahd just left Tatyana alone and did not bother her, could his curse be lifted?". I think that the answer is yes, but it is more complicated than that.

First Strahd would have to leave her be for her entire life. Not easy for someone that is obsessed. Also, if Strahd does manage to leave her alone, something else will happen that will serve as a trigger. That is the reincarnation of his brother, Sergei. Yet again Tatyana and Sergei will be engaged, and a wedding will be planned. This is another test for Strahd - most likely one that he will fail.

If the wedding goes successfully without the interference of Strahd, and Tatyana and Sergei live long and happy lives together, then what was their original destiny before Strahd got in the way will be fulfilled. In this case Strahd has learned maturity and will probably lose darklordship (but not his vampirism). Who knows what the implications would be for the world of Ravenloft.

[The Lesser Evil]

Tara Kolyana (a reincarnation of Tatyana) has thus far seemingly escaped her curse (and even Strahd's notice) by avoiding Barovia, though she's unlikely to meet up with Sergei or some incarnation of him as the way things are. Then again, even a Tatyana incarnation living a long and happy life with a Sergei might not be enough, as some sources (such as Vampire in the Mists, IIRC) have implied that Tatyana's soul has become fractured into multiple pieces that have their own separate lives. If this is the case, the soul fragments may need to be reunited somehow before the curse can be undone. (Of course, reuniting Tatyana's fragmented soul maybe Strahd's (possibly unconscious) goal in and of itself, perhaps explaining his interest in the Apparatus mentioned in Thoughts of Darkness.

[DeepShadow of FoS]

I get the feeling that Tara Kolyana becoming a cleric of Ezra was really a point of no return when it comes to reincarnation. She is now a vessel for a divine force of justice as embodied in the Mists. She will be the last reincarnation, and will destroy him once and for all.

[Zilfer]

I get the feeling that Tara Kolyana becoming a cleric of Ezra was really a point of no return when it comes to reincarnation. She is now a vessel for a divine force of justice as embodied in the Mists. She will be the last reincarnation, and will destroy him once and for all.

Destroyed by the one he 'loves'. Not a bad end I think for a story.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

And certainly ironic, given what Strahd has done to everyone he claimed to love.

But I doubt turning to Ezra will make Tara the last incarnation, though it is a turning point: she is finally gaining her own agency.
Don't get me wrong, she was always a good and brave person, but now she is a good and brave person with the power and training she needs to kick Evil's butt if needed, rather than being stuck waiting for a white knight to save her.

[brilliantlight]

I , personally, think Strahd never truly loved her. What he did is lust after her and a lost youth. His behavior towards her in I, Strahd shows this. Everything that makes Tatyana a moral person is what Strahd despises and Tatyana is VERY moral. Like many people he confused lust with love.

I think if the Dark Powers really wanted to curse is to allow him to "succeed". He marries Tatyana and finds out no matter what she remains the same. Even as a vampire she is an NG vampire who will only drink from animals. No matter what he does she is still the Tatyana who feeles empathy for other people which drives him insane.

[Atma]

I , personally, think Strahd never truly loved her. What he did is lust after her and a lost youth. His behavior towards her in I, Strahd shows this. Everything that makes Tatyana a moral person is what Strahd despises and Tatyana is VERY moral. Like many people he confused lust with love.

I think if the Dark Powers really wanted to curse is to allow him to "succeed". He marries Tatyana and finds out no matter what she remains the same. Even as a vampire she is an NG vampire who will only drink from animals. No matter what he does she is still the Tatyana who feeles empathy for other people which drives him insane.

Considering he deliberately bargained away his humanity and soul and brother to get a (failed) chance to seize the object of his lusts, I strongly doubt he could be driven insaner.

On the other hand, even if he succeeded in making the latest incarnation of Tatyana his vampire bride, and even if she became as evil as he is, he'd still probably destroy her anyhow as, as a vampire, she would still not be the Tatyana he has been craving and lusting after for all these centuries.

[Resonant Curse]

Even as a vampire she is an NG vampire who will only drink from animals.

In Vampire of the Mists we see Jander Sunstar come from the Forgotten Realms where he sustained himself on animals lose this ability shortly after coming to Ravenloft. Unless the Dark Powers twisted their own rules on vampirism (possible since it would be darklord curse twisting) she would have to drink the blood of sentient creatures.

[Mistmaster]

I have never understood why vampires in Ravenloft shouldn't substain themselves on animals. It's a dirty trick to induct vampires to evil. I don't like it, beaause it reduces free will.

[Five]

I have never understood why vampires in Ravenloft shouldn't substain themselves on animals. It's a dirty trick to induct vampires to evil. I don't like it, beaause it reduces free will.

Change it then.

Victims of vampires can subsist on a diet of animal blood, while those who have willingly turned to vampirism cannot. Theirs is such a choice against Life/Light itself that it ultimately seals their fate to that on the side of Evil. The natural laws of free will, should there be any, are thus upheld.

Cap the victim vampires' power level accordingly to denote this difference. Should they choose the blood of their kin then stack on more powers/salient abilities/whatever as a gift from Dark Desire. Forever tease, but choices must forever be made...

[brilliantlight]

Even as a vampire she is an NG vampire who will only drink from animals.

In Vampire of the Mists we see Jander Sunstar come from the Forgotten Realms where he sustained himself on animals lose this ability shortly after coming to Ravenloft. Unless the Dark Powers twisted their own rules on vampirism (possible since it would be darklord curse twisting) she would have to drink the blood of sentient creatures.

I didn't read it but like you said since it would be a darklord curse, it might well not apply to her. The Dark Powers can change the rules for anybody at any time they choose.

[brilliantlight]

I , personally, think Strahd never truly loved her. What he did is lust after her and a lost youth. His behavior towards her in I, Strahd shows this. Everything that makes Tatyana a moral person is what Strahd despises and Tatyana is VERY moral. Like many people he confused lust with love.

I think if the Dark Powers really wanted to curse is to allow him to "succeed". He marries Tatyana and finds out no matter what she remains the same. Even as a vampire she is an NG vampire who will only drink from animals. No matter what he does she is still the Tatyana who feeles empathy for other people which drives him insane.

Considering he deliberately bargained away his humanity and soul and brother to get a (failed) chance to seize the object of his lusts, I strongly doubt he could be driven insaner.

On the other hand, even if he succeeded in making the latest incarnation of Tatyana his vampire bride, and even if she became as evil as he is, he'd still probably destroy her anyhow as, as a vampire, she would still not be the Tatyana he has been craving and lusting after for all these centuries.

I don't think he would ever destroy her, he would have to admit to himself he was wrong all those years and he couldn't face that. He would continually try to force her into the role he sees for her.