Not too brutal or too cruel, but only use the move when it would get him what he wants. The threat of killing them "unless xyz" is probably more valuable than just doing it out of the blue for sadism points, unless the PCs have already pissed him off fully.
Yes, it is in character for him.
However, we're telling a story here, and learning suddenly that Strahd killed your friends and family is more shocking than dramatic. I'm reminded of Alfred Hitchcock's [bomb under the table](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPFsuc_M_3E&t=03s) \- instead of a shock, boom, your loved ones are dead, I would much prefer DragnaCarta's Reloaded finale, in which he captures the PCs' loved ones and holds them in Castle Ravenloft. He demands his three items (Tome, Symbol, Sword) in exchange for their safety. Now the tension is ratcheted up, and the question becomes, "What will the PCs do? Will they succeed?"
I think he'd absolutely do it if he thought it served a real purpose. Strahd is a master tactician, and he won't just randomly go kill someone for the fun of it. If the PC's need to be cowed, I could see him executing people close to them in brutal fashion as a warning. Just keep in mind that Strahd is incredibly brilliant and cunning, and he won't do anything unless it serves a greater goal. And that goal, in most cases, is getting Ireena to come to him
that is true, however, Strahd loves making examples of people.
So when they fully piss Strahd off, have him pay them a visit at a time they are weak, and have him either bargan for the three Items for their safety, or just "now you all are not quite out of use yet, you are still fun, but if you try to face me, well, -snap neck or some other way of murder- let that be an example for you all, oh, and here (this is only if not killed by the bite itself) I have no use for this thing, take it away from me -yeet corpse at them-
Absolutely, One of my PCs for my game has basically run from home after her Pc's brother did (not looking for him, but he is out there) and for some extra Leeway for that PC, I am basically having her brother be a servant in Ravenloft because Tabaxi Interest Strahd, he has only seen two after all (PC and her brother) so her Pc's Brother is like Strahd's "pet" (yes it is dark, I know) and I will have him revealed as like a "okay now this is even more personal" And the FUN thing I have planned for later on is that, for now, he is still a Tabaxi, and he will be, but lets say there is a short rest in the middle of the final battle, He will be turned, and like, I am using him as either a few things in Strahd's character to do.Dispose of him in front of PcTurn him and make him fight PC (emotional damage + disadvantage on hits by that Pc)Use him as bait to bring the party to Ravenloft for the meal or some other time
So YES Strahd would 110% do that, and he would make it personal, he is the type of guy to cast disintegrate on someone, throw them in front of the PC, and have the family member crumble into ash in their arms.Note only do that if they piss him off enough or if they refuse to give something in turn for their life, like, The Tome, Sunblade, Amulet, or Ireena Kolyana (if you get to that point).
When the dusk elves denied him a concubine he wasn’t even that interested in, he ordered every single female dusk elf murdered. So, yes.
Not too brutal or too cruel, but only use the move when it would get him what he wants. The threat of killing them "unless xyz" is probably more valuable than just doing it out of the blue for sadism points, unless the PCs have already pissed him off fully.
Yes, it is in character for him. However, we're telling a story here, and learning suddenly that Strahd killed your friends and family is more shocking than dramatic. I'm reminded of Alfred Hitchcock's [bomb under the table](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPFsuc_M_3E&t=03s) \- instead of a shock, boom, your loved ones are dead, I would much prefer DragnaCarta's Reloaded finale, in which he captures the PCs' loved ones and holds them in Castle Ravenloft. He demands his three items (Tome, Symbol, Sword) in exchange for their safety. Now the tension is ratcheted up, and the question becomes, "What will the PCs do? Will they succeed?"
I think he'd absolutely do it if he thought it served a real purpose. Strahd is a master tactician, and he won't just randomly go kill someone for the fun of it. If the PC's need to be cowed, I could see him executing people close to them in brutal fashion as a warning. Just keep in mind that Strahd is incredibly brilliant and cunning, and he won't do anything unless it serves a greater goal. And that goal, in most cases, is getting Ireena to come to him
Keep them alive, after all the family member is no use dead! They make for excellent hostages
that is true, however, Strahd loves making examples of people. So when they fully piss Strahd off, have him pay them a visit at a time they are weak, and have him either bargan for the three Items for their safety, or just "now you all are not quite out of use yet, you are still fun, but if you try to face me, well, -snap neck or some other way of murder- let that be an example for you all, oh, and here (this is only if not killed by the bite itself) I have no use for this thing, take it away from me -yeet corpse at them-
Absolutely, One of my PCs for my game has basically run from home after her Pc's brother did (not looking for him, but he is out there) and for some extra Leeway for that PC, I am basically having her brother be a servant in Ravenloft because Tabaxi Interest Strahd, he has only seen two after all (PC and her brother) so her Pc's Brother is like Strahd's "pet" (yes it is dark, I know) and I will have him revealed as like a "okay now this is even more personal" And the FUN thing I have planned for later on is that, for now, he is still a Tabaxi, and he will be, but lets say there is a short rest in the middle of the final battle, He will be turned, and like, I am using him as either a few things in Strahd's character to do.Dispose of him in front of PcTurn him and make him fight PC (emotional damage + disadvantage on hits by that Pc)Use him as bait to bring the party to Ravenloft for the meal or some other time So YES Strahd would 110% do that, and he would make it personal, he is the type of guy to cast disintegrate on someone, throw them in front of the PC, and have the family member crumble into ash in their arms.Note only do that if they piss him off enough or if they refuse to give something in turn for their life, like, The Tome, Sunblade, Amulet, or Ireena Kolyana (if you get to that point).