Hi!
I'm just started running CoS and the players are about half way thru. I opted to running a alternate ending and plan to run the "Escape the Death House skill challenge" scenario. But i got new players so i want to set the tone where they know they can die but still let the characters live, for now.
So i got the idea to let Strahd come at the end when they manage to escape, depending on the ending and if some of them die he will give the option to bring them back with the "Extended Dark Gifts" table and then depart as suddenly as he appeared, but letting them know he rules this land.
If they all make it i will turn it in to a psychological game were he tells them that they need to pick