The party split in Castle Ravenloft.
For context, my party is currently split three ways and I’m worried of losing two players. This is fresh out of the dinner with Strahd and the party has been invited to stay the night since it’s a heavy storm outside.
The players have a couple of goals. They are trying to find the sun sword in Strahd’s tomb and also rescue Rudolph van Richten from the dungeons. Currently, one player is with Strahd, being tempted to become one of his new consorts. It’s working. Two players are staying in their chambers, not wishing to anger Strahd by going where they shouldn’t be.
The last two are with Ezmerelda, trying to sneak down to complete their two objectives. The players are all level 5 right now. However, Strahd is currently fully aware of them trying to rescue Richten.
How should I handle this. We’ve accepted that one player may just turn evil and join Strahd, but I’m worried for the two delving into the crypts. Strahd is aware of them, the crypts are extremely deadly, and Strahd’s tomb is guarded by three vampire spawn.
What is your advice for how to run this? All of Strahd’s consorts are in the castle, as is Arrigal in secret. (One of the players going down have a vendetta against Arrigal.) Strahd isn’t in a bad mood yet, but would he wish to kill these players? It’s a very deadly situation and it’s entirely possible the party could lose half their characters.