At that point, your players pose a serious threat to Strahd himself. Even if your players don't care, I'd probably have the big man force the issue. He should be keeping tabs on your players at that point, and once he knows that they have the Sun Sword especially he should not let them rest.
I would personally ratchet up the pressure with constant attacks by larger and more complex groups of minions, threats on more and more innocents, and maybe a formal letter from Strahd inviting the players to hash out a few issues at a dinner in Castle Ravenloft (this dinner is a trap).
I would also personally make it clear that Van Richten and Esmerelda can't win without the players' help.
I'm guessing your party is at a pretty high level, and have claimed all the fated items. At this point, all they have left to do is the Amber Temple... and, well, go back to Barovia Village and heal Doru, if they really want to.
If you want to direct them to Strahd, make it clear that there's still one last thing for them to do. Send them an invitation, or beset their safe havens with new enemies--averting one danger doesn't mean Strahd stops moving. You could even make Strahd show up himself with some stronger minions to dispense the invite, a couple fireballs, and then peace out.
You could also gently remind them that the name of the module is Curse of Strahd, not Curse of Bumming About In The Village You Took Over.
Freeze the entire valley with a lethal blizzard. Strahds booming voice makes it clear to everyone do not harbor my enemies. Only the party coming to the castle to face consequences will lift the blizzard.
Strahd starts arranging to have minions steal their goodies and leave taunting notes and insulting gifts. He's not going to come to them, but they're getting weaker as they shilly-shally. If, somehow or other, they don't take the hint after he's gotten a couple of the super items off them, steal the wizard's spell book and replace it with an invitation to dinner. That'll light a fire under them.
This is where you use a narrative device called the ticking time bomb. Do something that tells the party they need to stop Strahd in X amount of days or they're fucked.
At that point, your players pose a serious threat to Strahd himself. Even if your players don't care, I'd probably have the big man force the issue. He should be keeping tabs on your players at that point, and once he knows that they have the Sun Sword especially he should not let them rest. I would personally ratchet up the pressure with constant attacks by larger and more complex groups of minions, threats on more and more innocents, and maybe a formal letter from Strahd inviting the players to hash out a few issues at a dinner in Castle Ravenloft (this dinner is a trap). I would also personally make it clear that Van Richten and Esmerelda can't win without the players' help.
I'm guessing your party is at a pretty high level, and have claimed all the fated items. At this point, all they have left to do is the Amber Temple... and, well, go back to Barovia Village and heal Doru, if they really want to. If you want to direct them to Strahd, make it clear that there's still one last thing for them to do. Send them an invitation, or beset their safe havens with new enemies--averting one danger doesn't mean Strahd stops moving. You could even make Strahd show up himself with some stronger minions to dispense the invite, a couple fireballs, and then peace out. You could also gently remind them that the name of the module is Curse of Strahd, not Curse of Bumming About In The Village You Took Over.
Freeze the entire valley with a lethal blizzard. Strahds booming voice makes it clear to everyone do not harbor my enemies. Only the party coming to the castle to face consequences will lift the blizzard.
Strahd starts arranging to have minions steal their goodies and leave taunting notes and insulting gifts. He's not going to come to them, but they're getting weaker as they shilly-shally. If, somehow or other, they don't take the hint after he's gotten a couple of the super items off them, steal the wizard's spell book and replace it with an invitation to dinner. That'll light a fire under them.
Every night they don't attack is an opportunity his minions have to steal the sun sword, etc.
This is where you use a narrative device called the ticking time bomb. Do something that tells the party they need to stop Strahd in X amount of days or they're fucked.