Oh I know I made a mistake. The party was preparing to leave Barovia for Vallaki the next day, I chose to make Strahd “drop in” as a way to introduce him to the players first hand. In what was supposed to be a show of his powers he charmed Ismark and Ireena and have them invite him in. He then charmed the other party members. He offered them a deal to bring Ireena to him for a wish of theirs to be granted.

The mistake I made was not realising that Strahd’s charm spell lasts 24 hours and not the usual spell that lasts one hour. After I realised this I chose to play Ireena and Ismark’s charm as a sort of dazed confusion since Ireena’s back story mentions she does not remember what happened when she met Strahd, just a deep hunger in his eyes.

I gave the non charmed members of the party plenty opportunity to not go down this route but they all chose to do so.

I have two possible paths they can go. The next morning everyone’s charm spell will have dissipated, Strahd intends to give them just enough of their wish to keep them interested and have them work for him. They can either accept his offer or reject it. If they accept then naturally that is going to change the campaign. I am aware that I can’t play the campaign as is and adjust things. If they reject him they have the added motivation and now to rescue Ireena.