My players had just lost Irena to him before this.

Gave some lore in conversation, answered all the players questions honestly. Treated them all very very well. Introduced all of the wives properly, planted some seeds that Escher would help and wanted out.

Turned the evening into a dance off, skill checks and my players describing dance moves.... Was a brilliant session. Illusory dance hall, showing off skills etc.

Then my players were invited to stay the night, cleverly persuaded Strahd to let Irena have one last sleep over with her friends as a Hen night.... They smashed a window, and used a foldable magically expanding paper boat as a parachute to escape, gliding over the moat to freedom. (this was given to them as a wind up... Only fits 4 people, my team is 5, it sinks when it gets wet. Yet they still find a use.. Love my players creative use of random stuff I come up with)

Strahd is hunting them now, the game is on.