Session 0

Make characters
Set out expectations and talk about characters.
We learn Bartle's origin story.
We set our world. Our players are in a tavern when a brightly clothed man strolls in and offers them a job. A letter from a Burgomaster who's daughter has caught the eye of the devil Strahd who needs help.
The brightly dressed man offers to read their fortune and buys a round of drinks for the bar. He says he will meet them on the road in the morning.
The man waves to them and tells them to catch up.  He continues to stay just out of reach until they are surrounded by a thick fog and everything disappears. 
Welcome to Barovia!