I've gotten to Vallaki... I think I may be close to flubbing
So: Story time
My players have had a bit of a rough start. We ran them through deathhouse, they took Ismark's request rather easily, had a bit of a distraction fighting Doru (lost someone) and b-lined their way to Vallaki skipping Old Bonegrinder (only passed through the vistani camp due to a failed roll that I played humorously). Had a few run ins with wolves both were and dire.
The moment they get to Vallaki, I had Ismark pay them for the trouble, and foreshadowed the town's incoming festivities - also foreshadowed Rictavio as being more than a nut (the general store owner apparently seen he has a silvered blade - doesn't know why, but the party wants in). After that they followed the church plot down to the vampire den, managed not to alert the vamps, and decided their best course of action was to burn the house down as the sun began to set.
Now, They've met strahd one and a half times now. The half was in Deathhouse - I had the statue speak into a player's mind to toy and foreshadow their doom. The second actual time was their first night in The Village - where he played with them by coaxing one of the players to let him in (they managed to hold off on opening anything, but Strahd made it clear who he wanted).
I, in a brilliant ass pull, decided to have Strahd himself emerge from the building as it burned down using the teleportation circle they had set up there. He steps out of the flames, completely unharmed as his vamp spawn smash out of the windows. Massive aura farming moment. Session ended there.
Here's my issue: what am I supposed to do? They're basically done with Ireena at this point - at least thats the party's current stance from what I can tell. They have the card readings, though kinda don't know what to do with them yet (beyond "we're supposed to fight him ig"). At this point I guess I'm kinda just unsure what to prep for - let alone the inevitable monologue I might be opening with.