The Roc of Mt. Ghakis (Patreon)

A great shadow blocks out the moonlight—and Strahd looks up, his eyes widening slightly.

Above, a gargantuan raven as tall as the Blue Water Inn, with a wingspan twice as long, descends upon the mountainside. Great gusts of wind blow from each errant twitch of its wings, sending eddies of powdered snow whipping across the ice. With grace that belies its massive size, it alights onto the jagged crags below, its cart-sized talons crushing and gouging the stone beneath them.

With a single, jerking motion, it throws its head forward toward Strahd and shrieks in warning and defiance. A thunderous wave of sound sweeps out across the mountain, the raven’s sonorous, booming cry ringing in your ears.

This one was a blast to do. Thanks to Dragnacarta for writing the scene that inspired it! I made night and day versions, as well as ones without Strahd, depending on what your players might need during this part of the campaign.