Visions of the Vestiges

A Curse of Strahd supplement

The Vestiges long bound stir in their sarcophagi, they call from the Ethereal to their
champions, and their dark designs will soon be revealed
 Visions of the Vestiges
NerdyVampire#3641 @ Discord
version 1.0
Legal disclaimer stuff
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast,
Forgotten Realms, Ravenloft, Eberron, the dragon
ampersand, Ravnica and all other Wizards of the Coast
product names, and their respective logos are trademarks
of Wizards of the Coast in the USA and other countries.
This work contains material that is copyright Wizards of
the Coast and/or other authors. Such material is used with
permission under the Community Content Agreement for
Dungeon Masters Guild.
All other original material in this work is copyright 2021
by Mads E. R. Jacobsen and published under the
Community Content Agreement for Dungeon Masters
Guild.
All work in this expansion is to be considered non-canon
including references to other works by Wizards of the
Coast.
How to use this expansion
This expansion is meant to breathe life into the Vestiges of
Barovia and give you as a DM tools and inspiration towards
turning these beings into active opponents and benefactors
in your players' struggle for Barovia, whether your game is
just starting out, or is already well underway.
Each Vestige will be described in considerably more detail
than the campaign book, and each be defined by certain
traits that will attract them to characters. They may then
initiate a first contact as befitting their character, and
attempt to lure the character into a pact.
Balance of power
Characters who attain a pact with a Vestige will climb a
ladder of commitment, becoming more and more like their
new patron and sharing in their power. Commitment starts
at Stage 1 and ends in Stage 3, with optional artifacts
created for each Vestige which may be a sidequest onto
themselves to find and obtain, each being useful in itself
but often especially useful in the hands of the champion
This supplement is meant for DMs that are comfortable
tailoring their story to the players, and seeing them through
a path of corruption and power. In a game where several
players may manage to attain pacts with these Vestiges, it
is recommended that you conversely empower Strahd as
necessary to make these pacts meaningful and keep the
challenge alive. This expansion does not concern itself with
strengthening Strahd as a character, for there are plenty
materials out there concerned with such (see links and
resources for suggestions).
Changes from the Campaign
This supplement overrides the Vestiges as written, both in
terms of what boons they grant and sometimes in their
naming to make them more fitting to a specialized vision
that has been crafted.
It is not certain that characters will be able to make these
visions real, but that's okay. The Vestiges are meant to be
scheming evil Gods, and the characters need to feel that
they have a plan, even if it doesn't pan out in exactly the
way they had envisioned.
Player vs the Party
Accepting a boon should never mean immediate betrayal
against the rest of the party. The Vestiges know that Strahd
is powerful, and they will not encourage back-stabbing
before Strahd is defeated (after which, it may be inevitable).
However, up until that point there should be plenty
opportunity for mistrust and scheming within the party
itself, especially with several players pacted to a Vestige
and some players having refused to do so. For most
Vestiges the pact is not obvious to the rest of the party,
though as commitment increases some characters will see
themselves transformed by the power they wield.
Whenever you decide to approach a player about a pact, it
is strongly suggested that you do so in private with the
player, as to retain player agency and keep the response
and details a mystery. Also to be certain that your player is
comfortable possibly playing an evil character in the future.
An important note
To emphasize a point which was never made in the original
module to the scorn of many DMs, and which I strongly
recommend you adhere to "limit each Vestige to one
character, and limit each character to one Vestige". For
the sake of both story cohesion and power-balance, do not
break this. Vestiges are not the sharing types and the idea
that a soul can be corrupted by two Vestiges at once is
quite immersion breaking, and having two characters
competing for the favor of one Vestige can make each of
them feel less unique.
That being said, you should now have a good overview of
what this supplement offers and I hope you find great
inspiration or use from it!
Visions of the Vestiges
W
hispering to the hearts of mortals, biding
their time, observing from the shadows; the
Vestiges await in the Amber Temple,
trapped in Barovia as the pitiful mortals
scurry far beneath them. The lord of Barovia
rules the land from Ravenloft, feeding the
true master of the valley; Vampyr
Why are they here
Long ago, the remnants of dark gods were sealed in amber
sarcophagi within the Amber Temple by clerics and
wizards, guided by divine providence. When Strahd
became Vampyr's champion however, Barovia became a
prison realm, perhaps as a fail-safe implemented by lawful
deities trying to contain the entities within or maybe as
designed by dark powers beyond. It is located somewhere
in the infinite dark, its interior being a reflection of the
current dominant force among the mortals and divines
within ie. Strahd and Vampyr.
What do they want
The Vestiges are locked in an enclosed space, and they
have all witnessed how one Vestige can rise to a position
above the others, by controlling a champion such as
Strahd. So, the other Vestiges are trying to wrest this
power away from Vampyr and usurp his position. For this,
they need champions of their own. But just as Strahd's soul
was slowly corrupted over time by pushing him further and
further into studies of magic and emotional longing, so too
must the Vestiges accept that only some individuals have
the necessary aptitude and mindset to be compatible.
What have they done
For this I postulate that Strahd indeed has had challenges
in his historic reign as individuals, even from his own
population, have sometimes risen to be so chosen by the
Vestiges and sent to usurp his rule in one way or another.
These NPCs can be historic and may be mentioned as
failures in conversations with Vestiges, their corpses may
be found in specific locations, and Vestige-forged artifacts
may be scattered in the world, once wielded by these. But
Strahd doesn't mind nor fear these nuisances; It is an
enjoyable challenge to his strategic mind. Being chosen by
a Vestige is not enough after all, Vampyr has transformed
and strengthened Strahd over many hundreds of years, so
it is not a wonder that none have truly succeeded yet.
How do they choose
Now this will vary from Vestige to Vestige obviously, but in
general they will be less dormant than as written in the
rules. They will in a sense be relying on you as DM to
understand the characters and choosing what Vestiges
might be attracted to them, at which point they will engage
the players through dreams, visions and other such
individual communications.
Changes to the setting
There are some changes to the setting which should be
noted and played upon, changes which I personally find
makes the experience much richer for the players.
The Ethereal
The first major change is that, indeed, there is one other
subplane in Barovia that all spells and abilities will deposit
to; the Ethereal. Here, devils go when they die, banished
creatures appear, Hags (still) go here, and the souls of the
dead are deposited after giving suitable time for short-term
resurrection spells as revivify and raise dead. Normally this
plane would lead to a proper afterlife for these souls, but
they will never get further in this setting. The plane is home
to Shadow Demons, they devour the memories and
experiences of the souls they hunt on this plane, and
otherwise serve the Vestiges in various ways. If you like,
you can even tailor some side-quests for this place and, if
they are brave, PCs might want to actively enter.
Death of a PC
Once a PC has died, you should allow some time to ensure
they are not attempting to be raised again. If you are sure,
you can go to the next step. Now, I personally ask the player
in private if they want to make a new character, before I
offer them some private RP about their afterlife.
In the afterlife, on the Ethereal plane, the players can meet
in order of likelyhood; Shadow Demons, Barovian ghosts,
specific NPC ghosts that might have followed the party
(and evaded Shadow Demons), and finally an Avatar of a
Vestige. First off, the Shadow Demons feed on the
experiences of the souls they encounter, before letting the
souls be reincarnated. They are the reason that the afterlife
isn't good at all. The Avatars are projections of a given
Vestige, these wander the lands as they please, but
generally avoid one another. They have power within the
Ethereal, but are limited in the physical world, hence their
need for a champion. When encountering a PC in here,
make it a show. The Ethereal reacts to these projections,
the Shadow Demons fear and obey them
The Vestiges may or may not even care about the PC they
find, seeking like the Shadow Demons simply to toy and
feed on souls.
An example
My players druid character died violently in the
Vallakian rebellion, I decided to roll randomly to
see who he'd meet, if any. If a compatible
Vestige would encounter him, then I'd give him a
chance to strike a deal. I rolled Yog the Invincible,
and opened the dialog.
Yog came. A massive spirit, he saw the lowly
soul and mocked him for being about to be
eaten. The player caught up on Yogs sense of
self-importance and engaged him about a deal,
while praising his greatness. Eventually, they
impressed Yog enough to warrant a pact. Yog
clutched the soul in his mighty shadowy hand
and reincarnated their bodily form in a twisted
new fashion, on Yog's stage 1.
'Win conditions'
Let's start by exploring the 'win' conditions for this setting.
The soul of Strahd is currently held tightly by Vampyr, the
being whose power is also reincarnating Tatyana's soul,
who sees Strahd returned to his coffin for regeneration and
who likely inspired the construction of the Heart of Sorrow.
Vampyr promised Strahd two things; immortality and
Tatyana. Both of these are fulfilled by Vampyr, though
neither of them in the fashion Strahd had envisioned. To
break either, is to break their pact and to finally free
Strahds soul.
Destroying Strahds' body
To break the first condition is the classic way of winning.
See Strahd returned to his coffin for regeneration, and
prevent it by destroying the remnants of him. When this is
done, Strahds soul is technically freed from Vampyr and
should be deposited on the Ethereal plane as per the
changes to the setting.
Destroying Tatyana's soul
The soul of Tatyana is integral to Vampyr's control over
Strahd. To destroy her soul is to deny him that control. To
accomplish this, the players must kill Ireena, trap her soul
and destroy it. If this is done, and Strahd was still alive,
then he should be freed from Vampyrs' curse. See appendix
B for a proposed ritual, or make up your own.
Pacifying Strahd and Vampyr
This is the most unlikely ending. To find a way to pacify
Strahd so well, that he cannot escape in mist form, fight
back, or call upon Vampyr for aid. Accomplishing this is
most likely impossible without the aid of certain Vestiges or
other divine powers. Delban, star of Ice and Hate, has in
this version a scheme to imprison Strahd in a block of
never-melting ice, spiting Vampyr in the process.
Sealing Vampyr again
Once Vampyr has been severed from Strahd through either
of the first two paths, the way out of Barovia is open.
However, the players might be interested in sealing Vampyr
properly. See appendix B for a proposed ritual, or make up
your own.
Notes on Vestige commitment
Players should generally start at commitment Stage 1 and
earn their Vestige's favor with acts and behavior, reaching
Stage 2 and 3. Progression should come as players align
their characters with the personality of the Vestige, recover
their artifacts or does other deeds of worth to them. Level-
wise Stage 1 is recommended for 4-7, Stage 2 for 8-11 and
Stage 3 for 12+.
Artifacts are expected to be scattered all over Barovia, but a
Vestige should always be able to guide their champion
towards one or more of their own artifacts, when they feel a
reward is in order. Alternatively, the Vestige can make the
artifact appear nearby as if it was newly created.
Lastly, if a character is failing their commitment to a
Vestige, feel free to punish them through psychic damage,
traits or visual depravity. Their souls are more and more in
the Vestiges' hold, and it is well within their power and forté
to thumb characters if they "Just said it to get power".
Aftermath
It will vary much what your party is looking for in terms of
resolution. I do have some thoughts on ways a satisfying
resolution can be achieved. These are the alternatives I
suggest, all of which consider that Strahd is defeated for
good one way or another, and based on whether surviving
PCs are currently corrupted.
The party is uncorrupted, Vampyr is
imprisoned
The perfect ending; the players are heroes and the walls of
mists come down as the dark tyrant has fallen and the
vestige is imprisoned once more. From the heavens, rays of
gold shine, an angelic choir can be heard as the host of the
Morninglord descends upon the valley to lead the lost souls
out to their much deserved rest. Perhaps a Solar comes to
the party to sing their praises and escort them out, perhaps
the Morninglord's avatar itself makes an appearance.
The party is uncorrupted, Vampyr is free
The almost-good ending; the walls of mists come down and
the PCs look up to see a visage of Vampyr stare down at
them with leering eyes before dissapating, its destination
unknown. As they exit they are deposited on a field of
golden crops. After a short while they see a lone figure
flying towards them, angelic light glowing from them and a
smile upon their golden skin. This could either be the
Morning Lord himself, an emissary of him, or something
else entirely. In Barovia, Vampyr will try to seek out a new
champion but likely the other Vestiges will do the same,
one of which will rise to be a darklord.
A party member is corrupted
Upon or prior to the defeat of Strahd in either manner, the
Vestige will put its full power behind this remaining PC,
transforming them if necessary or providing a surge of
power to them. They want to establish their champion as
darklord quickly. It should at this point be clear to both the
party and player what's going on. This can be played
several ways, depending on the character. It can turn into a
new boss-battle, a race-against-time to escape while the
mists are gone, a dramatic roleplay moment, or possibly
this corrupted PC will simply give them leave from Barovia
or entice them to stay. This pivotal moment should be
largely left to the players to direct.
Several party members are corrupted
They will not share. The Vestiges will both claim dominion
of Barovia, and this will inevitably lead to a show-down
between the corrupted players, but the uncorrupted PCs
can attempt to escape Barovia or fight to keep a new
darklord from rising. Corrupted players are cursed to stay,
just like Strahd...
Vestiges and Artifacts
Each Vestige is connected with their described artifacts,
and may encourage their champions to seek them out
intuitively knowing where they are. Strahd's awareness of
these artifacts and their power is up to the DMs discretion,
I suggest letting a few of these artifacts be in his treasury.

The Amber Temple
Long ago a group of wizards and clerics gathered upon Mt
Ghakiz, and shaped the mountain itself into a grand
temple, for a purpose only the seniors among them knew,
and which was a secret of great import. This temple was
erected before Barovia had truly been civilized and before
proper settlers had even arrived in the valley.
This isolation was important for the purpose of the temple
and danger it brought, for indeed it was to be a prison. A
prison for beings beyond what mortals could handle, and
beings that would invoke the scorn of the divine patrons
who would make use of this temple.
It was Azuth, the god of wizards who created this project.
His Order was the principal architects behind the temple,
and those who saw to its construction.
The Gods united
Azuth had before the construction of this temple
approached his fellow gods in the pantheon to discuss the
prospects of it and implicitly to get their permission and aid
in its realisation. He spoke at length about how it could be
used, and who could be bound within it. He spoke of
Delban and Khirad, of Fekre and Marid, many more who
were never realised.
The other gods listened, some protested and others feared
the implications of doing this. Many doubted the
capabilities of Azuths' followers, marking also that this
would be a commitment for many generations among the
mortals. Azuth had support from Helm and Kelemvor, and
strangely enough Bane.
It was eventually agreed that the project should continue,
though an oath of secrecy was sworn among all present.
Kelemvor and Azuth in particular, spoke at length about the
way to safeguard the mortals from the imprisoned entities.
The Wards..
Azuth and Kelemvor reached an agreement on how to
protect the mortals from the entities. They designed three
wards for the mages of the Amber Temple to establish and
maintain. These wards took the physical form of rune-
carved stone circles, set into the base of the sarcophagi, but
affected much more than the physical realm.
The sarcophagi was still the primary means of anchoring
them, but the wards would prevent them from affecting the
world around them. They had to undergo a ritual of
remaking once a year, taking several spellcasters to do.
The wards functioned as follows, and adventurers may find
the broken or otherwise sabotaged circles inside the
temple still, testaments to the unbridled presence of the
Vestiges they were once made to contain.
The Ward of the Mind
The first ward would keep the Vestiges from contacting
mortals telepahtically or impose visions on them, as was
often the methodology applied by divine entities in
gathering followers. This was the first ward that broke
when the calamity occured and saw control of the temple
diminish catastrophically.
The Ward of the Spirit
The second ward would keep the Vestiges from forming
pacts with mortals, allowing them to bestow divine favor or
punishment on their servants. In essence it allowed a
creature to attune to a Vestige and vice versa. Such a divine
connection of course required lengthy worship to be
stable.. or acts of atrocity, such as that committed by
Strahd.
The Ward of the Body
The third ward anchored the entities in a way so that they
could not project themselves into the Ethereal and absorb
the spiritual nourishment they desired. A ward, which if
broken would allow the entities to learn of the world
outside the temple and feast upon the souls in the region of
Barovia, and slowly grow in strength.
..now Broken
Everything went wrong in the temple when the first ward
of a Vestige was not properly maintained and they found
their way into the mind of a magi. Slowly, they swayed the
mortal to their cause and made them into a saboteur,
disabling the second ward and finally the third. The Vestige
blessed their champion with power and commanded them
to enact revenge upon the other magi of the order. So great
was the fury of the Vestige, that it filled the champion as
well, and they obeyed without quesiton.
It was no simple matter breaking the rest of the mortals,
but the champion received instruction to sabotage the
wards of the other Vestiges, and so in the quiet of the night
they did so.. and soon the world changed for the residents
of the Amber Temple, as ambition, greed, hatred,
cannibalism, perverse desires and dread malice seeped
into their souls.
Mayhem proceeded soon after. Friend turned on friend,
master against apprentice and daggers found their way into
backs, well helped by the well-placed remarks of the
champion and conveniently placed weaponry or scrolls.
As the dust settled and the champion dispatched the
remaining of the order, they turned to the sarcophagi of
their master, and saw it undone. The whispers of the other
Vestiges danced on the edge of his mind, but he was
already claimed and paid them no heed. As the amber
finally cracked, the champion sighed a relief and laughed
the laugh of a madman, as his body was claimed by the one
he called master. Then, the two disappeared to design the
true revenge; against Azuth and his kin.
Artifacts and Locations Events and locations
Artifact Location Event Start Location
Tongue of Fekre ??? Fekre's Corruption Pool of Krezk
Hand of Fekre Old Bonegrinder, top floor Rage of Zrin-Hala Mt. Baratok
Orb of Chaos Zrin-Hala's Sacrophagi Soul-Seeker of Sykane Any grave or graveyard
(nighttime)
Zrin-Hala's Hood Van Richten's Tower
Savnok's Challenge Isolated character in Krezk or
Scimitar of Storms ??? Vallaki
Horn of Sykane ??? Feast of Tarakmedes Vallakian Crypts*
Shroud of Souls Worn by Exethanter Shami-Amourae's Leaving Vallaki or Berez
The Puzzle of Savnok Bildrath's Shop Beckoning
Shard of the Inscrutable ??? The Lair of Drizlash Wilds or hunter's rumor
Blood Amulet of ??? The Blade of Dahlver- Highlands west of Ravenloft
Tarakmedes Nar
The Butcher's Cleaver Ravenloft Kitchen* Quest of Zantras Krezk
Incense of Desire Crafted by Champion Khirad's Reflection Any mirror, one character
Garb of the Irresistable ??? Delban's Hole of Hatred Mt. Ghakiz road
Rod of the Spiderqueen Carried by current Taar Haak's Hopefuls Mt. Ghakiz mountainside/road
champion The Well of Shadows Swimming in lake Zarovich
Eye of the Spiderqueen Krezk/Vallaki general store The Melody of Yog Wilds, forests
Skullchain of the Devourer Mountain Tribes' leader The Shadow of Vaund West of Vallaki (lvl 7+)
Dread Claymore Event on plains of Seriach's Deal Roads near Vallaki
Ravenloft
A seance with Mother Vallaki
Scepter of Authority Krezk crypts* Night
Crown of the Chosen Spawned for champion
Staff of Ice Amber Temple as written
Artifact
Ring of Hatred ???
Half of the artifacts on this list are intentionally
Fingers of Frost ??? not placed anywhere specific, giving you as the
DM a selection of treasures you can throw in
Heart of Sorrow Ravenloft High Tower
when you feel it makes sense.
Ring of Desire Worn by Strahd
A reason to do this could be that you have
Song of Regret Strahd's Bedroom identified a player character that would be "fun"
Circlet of Truth ??? to nudge towards a specific Vestige, so placing
one of that Vestige's artifacts in the path could
Ward of Secrets ??? be a nice opener.
Gemstone of Reflection ???
Alternatively you may be inspired to create an
The Enemy ??? adversary NPC to the party, who worships a
Shroud of Yrrga ??? Vestige. Letting them hold and use an artifact
would in that case make sense!
Tiara of the Deep Lake Zarovich*
The Fist of Taar Haak ??? Lastly, in the hands of normal Barovians these
items may very well be flavored to be corrupting,
Jewel of the Destroyer ??? providing sidequests in themselves to free/slay
Earthen Warhammer Roc's Nest, Mt. Ghakiz the wielder with some tweaking.
Armband of the Monster ???
Flute of the Cursed Fey ???
Mask of Vaund ???
Cape of Shadows ???
The Whip of Yolanda Used by homebrew NPC
Tyrk's Breastplate ???
Staff of Arcane Might ???
Staff of the Risen ???
Engine of the Soulbinder ???
Robes of the High Priest Argynvostholt chapel
The Sacred Skull Amber Temple crypt

The story of Fekre
In the ancient kingdom of Rynorea the most hated and
notorious cult was known as the Touch of Fekre. They were
a group of alchemists, wicked doctors and priests who
willfully released diseases upon the outlying villages and
lesser towns. After weeks of misery, they would finally
arrive to provide help and comfort, eventually curing the
population. While they did this, they collected many gifts
from the grateful people, all the time hailing Fekre as the
true savior.
This scheme was discovered by Kiraan, a priest of Helm
who had tried in vain to heal his population. After the
arrival of this cult of scholars, he was in just the right place
at just the right time to overhear damning evidence, when
one of the cult followers complaind about their methods
and mysteriously disappeared the next day.
The priest hastily wrote a letter to the Order of the
Gauntlet, an order of knights and paladins sworn to the
protection of the general populace, as well as the king of
the lands. The letter was at first not received well by either
faction. At this time Fekre had won acclaim as a deity of
healing and remarkable control over diseases, and the
priest was nothing more than such for a small community.
But in time they conducted their divinations and mustered
their troops, giving chase to the cult who had now traveled
onward.
It took four months to capture the leaders of the cult, and
another four months to track down its remaining members,
having scattered into the general populace. During this
time two shrines to Fekre were ransacked and looted for
artifacts. At the behest of the grand master of the Order of
the Gauntlet, these artifacts were not destroyed, but
gathered and trusted into the care of an archmage, bound
for the Amber Temple.
The archmage arrived at the temple with only half his
retinue, the rest having died from one sickness or another
on the journey, he climbed the steps of the temple with his
cargo, before collapsing half-dead.
The binding
The binding was helped by the presence of the artifacts.
Her connection and investment in them, made drawing her
unwillingly to the temple a near certainty. She did not have
strong followers to protect her anymore, and the binders
had help from the spiritual world as well, as divine servants
of Kelemvor, Ilmater, Helm and Azuth sought her out and
distracted her from the binding.
As her being drew near to the temple, the binders would
fall ill to diseases and coughing fits. If not for the strong
preparations that were in place and the presence of several
accomplished healers, the ritual would surely have failed.
The wardens succeeded in their task, and Fekre.. was
bound.
After the mists fell
Fekre watched with disdain as the mists encircled Barovia,
her connection to the outside and her hopes of rescue from
loyal servants being terminated fully. The Amber Temple
was hers and her kindreds to rule, but what did it matter?
She reached out into Barovia, projecting herself into the
Ethereal, her only escape from her sarcophagi. Never a true
release of her power or form, and always a bitter reminder
of Vampyrs freedom.
She wandered among the populace exploring the limit of
her influence. As she suspected her portfolio remained
what it was. Her very essence still resonated with the
diseases and misery around her, and she delighted in
observing the unhappy Barovians catch their diseases and
fall to torment and pain, until they died. She would await
their spirits, posing herself as a deity come to rescue them..
one last cruelty before she would drain them of their
memory and experiences, the only sustenance she could
devour in this form. She often looked around in the
Ethereal, watching the Shadow Demons scurry before her..
she was little more than them now. A parasite nourished
not by fear and faith, but by whatever she could scavenge
from the dying. It was not enough.
The first champion
Over time, Fekre attuned herself to this new existence and
how to channel her will through the Ethereal into the
physical world. This was not uncostly, but rather an
investment. She began searching for a worthy follower, one
she could influence into championing her cause, in return
for a fragment of her knowledge and power. She found this
follower in the form of Slovenka Retizia, a mother who
had lost her husband to the pox, and who was now also
losing her only son as well.
Fekre came to her dreams as a maiden of virtue, and
promised her a cure in exchange for worship. The
desperate mother agreed whole-heartedly and took the
hand of this maiden, who smiled as kindly as a saint. The
next morning she awoke with memories of the cure, and a
skeptical heart. It was just a dream after all, but after
tending to her son, she stole moments to gather the
ingredients, eventually brewing a vial of a foul smelling
ichor. She waivered and put it aside. Fekre, grew angry but
restrained herself in patience. She sent another dream,
warning the mother that the ichor would only last so long,
and hesitation would let the pox claim the son. Slovenka
yielded the next morning, and forced the foul-smelling ichor
into her son. It took an hour of further writhing and misery
for her son, but in the end he calmed and was cured. As
Fekre knew he would.
The following years Fekre slowly but confidently invested
more and more knowledge into her follower, turning her
into a make-shift doctor, while equally slowly putting the
right words in her mind to attune her with Fekre's prefered
methods. Slovenka managed to garner a reputation, and in
time she would have turned these into faithful for Fekre.
But Strahd learned of this supposed healer, and invited her
for dinner. Thanked her for her service to his people, then
dispatched her unceremoniously, finding her utterly boring.
Fekre silently swore one thing from her sarcophagi: Strahd
would suffer.
Fekre, Queen of Poxes
Fekre will prefer the form of an old hag, having been patron
for many of them and she displays many of the same traits.
She sees life as yet another thing to be manipulated, and
she is a master of doing so through disease, not just to kill
but to twist, transform, improve and enslave.
Vision
To turn the land into a testing range for her imaginative
diseases. If Fekre gains control of Barovia, plague doctors
and alchemists will wander the streets. Life will be one
long passage through suffering of mind and body. The
champion, will reign as the source of all ailments, riding
through the lands as the horseman of pestilence.
Traits
Fekre looks for mortals that display a knack for dealing
with enemies in alternative fashions. She carries no
respect for bashful brawlers, but she enjoys intelligent
resolutions. If a character is prone to experimenting or
alchemical crafting, then that can work too.
Lure
Fekre knows all diseases, ailments and poisons, she can
produce them, but also cure them. It would not be difficult
for her to attract favors and minor followers among the
Barovian people if she should wish so. To attract a player-
character though, she could offer a solution to an emerging
issue. An oil that is powerful against werewolves, a draught
that allows them to sense undeath, perhaps even the
location of an old alchemical tome from a previous follower
of hers.
Scheme
Fekre has been planning a special injury poison in her
mind, which if it is concocted properly and finds itself in
Strahd's bloodstream will hurt not only Strahd, but Vampyr
as well. The potion can be made with these three elements;
blood from Baba Lysaga, bone dust from king Barov and
water from the pool at Krezk. For each element Strahds'
maximum health will be reduced by 10, and he will be
visibly weakened (how this otherwise affects him in combat
is up to the DM).
Manifestation
When insects swarm and a noxious odour penetrates your
nose.. when hairs gray in a matter of hours, and childhood
illnesses surface once again.. you have the attention of
Fekre, and you best hope her attention is benign or your
very soul could find itself with a sickness hard to cure
When appearing to mortals, Fekre prefers the guise of a
wise elderly woman, standing proud and speaking with
authority.
In the Ethereal, the projection of Fekre appears as a
terrible hag-like creature, ridden with diseases, swarming
with illusionary insects and giving off an aura of pestilence
and maliciousness even the bodyless Shadow Demons
avoid.
Fekre boons
Stages of commitment
Stage 1: Fekre's presence will inflict the
champion with a disease that will slowly
spread across the skin, causing irritation and
visibly making small marks around their limbs.
This is her claim upon them. The champion
will often cough. The champion is surrounded
by a sickly aura. As a bonus action, they can
cause creatures within 10 feet of them to
suffer a DC 12 Con save or be poisoned. They
may reattempt this save at the end of their
turn. This feature may be used once per long
rest.
Stage 2: Fekre has found their champion
worthy and further empowers their disease.
They player may choose one mental trait to
increase by +1 and gain the knowledge to
cast the spell Inflict Wounds. They may cast it
as a level 2 spell for free once per long rest,
or otherwise spend their own spell slots to
cast it, using the improved attribute as the
spellcasting attribute.
Stage 3: Fekre further empowers their
champion by confering the Contagion spell to
them allowing it to be cast once per long rest,
with the attribute increased in Stage 2 as the
spellcasting attribute. Additionally, the
champion starts to grow biles on their body,
from which they can extract 1 vial (1 use) of
basic poison, per long rest. It loses its
function after 24 hours.
Artifacts, override or provide locations as
necessary.
The Tongue of Fekre: This long black-hued
piece of meat is infested with disease. It
functions as a whip, but confers +1d6
necrotic damage on a hit to a non-construct
non-undead target, in addition to the whips
regular 1d4 slashing.
Hand of Fekre: This shrunken hand has four
out of five fingers extended. By licking it a
creature must roll a DC 15 Con save or
become diseased as per the table in Appendix
C. After licking, the creature may state a
request, and a shadow demon will fulfill it to
the best and vilest of its ability. This is placed
in the attic of the Bonegrinder. While the
Shadow Demon is completing its task, one of
the hands' fingers is being bent to signify a
task in progress. If the task fails the finger
breaks off otherwise it will end up closed
fully.
Keep in mind fellow DM that requests such as
'Protect Ireena from Strahd' can easily be
interpreted as abduct Ireena to somewhere else,
or steal her soul to the Ethereal. Evil requests will
usually have more success, than good ones.

The story of Zrin-Hala
A broken empire is the legacy of Zrin-Hala. This mighty
being rose from being a mere elder air elemental in years
long since passed, empowered by wild arcane energies
from the planes beyond. The folly of an ambitious usurper
archmage saw it summoned to a circle of binding on the
outskirts of the empire, but it was far too powerful to be
bound and took great offense. The wizard fled while his
retainers did their best to contain Zrin-Hala. It rampaged
throughout the villages towards the capital, almost as if
called to the throne. As it travelled the skies blackened and
lightning cracked unnaturally, the screams of children and
animals were drowned out by the thunderous auran roar
from above; "I WILL NOT BE BOUND!".
The being sundered the archmages tower, but not before
the wizard escaped through a portal. It's rage at not finding
its quarry was turned on the populace, and no city was
safe. Peasants fled into basements, kings into cellers and
priests into catacombs.
It was not until the arrival of four Djinn masters from the
court of Wind-sultan Fahrrinn, through the promise of
future favors, that progress could be made in restraining
this being. The usurper archmage was long gone, but his
successor had learned of the Amber Temple and though
Zrin-Hala was restricted to only part of the empire, now in
ruins, it would only be a matter of time before they would
escape yet again.
The binding
Zrin-Hala was forced to the summit of Mt. Ghakiz first
through rituals of the djinn, his being breaking upon the
mighty mountains and swirling the snow around the amber
temple in fury. Within, they had nothing but his name to
bind him, and were forced to stay behind the amber gates,
covering from the thunderous storm outside. For 11 days
and nights they bound Zrin-Hala to the amber sarcophagi,
having prepared it specially for him. Through this time they
could not venture outside, they could receive no supplies
and their very temple shook from his fury, whenever he
threw his form against the mountain. On the last day, the
gates of the temple were broken and Zrin-Hala came. He
encircled the ritual site and attempted to crush the wall of
force, which was hastily erected.
The servants that had run back to fro with supplies, were
caught outside the wall and their very forms were reduced
to ashes as thunder surged through their bodie and the
winds crushed them against the walls. Amber golems,
watchers and protectors, could do nothing against this foe
of no solid physical form.
Finally, as the last remnants of power seeped from the
wizards holding the barrier, did the ritual complete, and in
his spiritual form Zrin-Hala was siphoned into his
sarcophagi, to rest for many years to come.
After the mists fell
Zrin-Hala watched the keepers of the Amber Temple fall to
corruption with delight, their screams and madness echoed
through the cold halls, until only silence remained. But as
the screams died down, he quickly found their absence
boresome, but at least something was happening.. as an
eerie fog danced upon the horizon..
As the mists settled around Barovia, Zrin-Hala had already
reached out among the populace of the mountain tribes.
Many warriors among them shared the yearning for
freedom Zrin-Hala harbored, but also a fragment of his fury.
It attracted him, and he gave of his power to the wind
shamans that had only ever mastered a miniscule
understanding of the elemental magic that could be
harnessed. Zrin-Hala hated mortals, though. He hated the
djinns for aiding the mortals. He hated.. everyone. His
initiates became unstable and reckless, arrogant even.
Though initially harnessing the winds to protect their
people, they eventually overreached their magical prowess,
killing themselves or others in thunderous devastation. The
mountain tribes eventually outlawed the wind shamans,
turning those that thought to wield his power into exile.
Zrin-Hala looked elsewhere, and the shamen found
themselves abandoned for their idiocy.
The first champion
It was not until Zrin-Hala found Karezz Blacktongue that
he found someone actually capable of wielding his fury.
This elderly man had lived a life of continual
disappointment and growing resentment. From his early
childhood he lost his mother to Strahd in his blood-tax, in
his adulthood he had been publically punished in Vallaki
for a crime he didn't commit, dooming any chance at
prosperity he might have. As a middle aged man he had
joined a rising cult, just barely learning the secrets of magic
before being forced into exile from pesky outlander
adventurers.
He finally climbed the mountain, hoping to find death but
also being too stubborn to idly surrender. Zrin-Hala, felt his
unrest, his resentment and saw fit to invest himself in this
mortal. He never craved the worship, but his imprisonment
and this entire land was dull and restrictive. He needed
something to divert him, and he dared only hope for
eventual release. He set Karezz on his old enemies, letting
lightning surge through his body and reveling in the
maniacal fervor which he employed in his various
revenges.
It was Rahadin who eventually came to stop this champion
near Vallaki, flanked by dark guards who cared little for the
surge of power channeled through them. He dispatched
Kirazz after a turbulent battle with many casualties, and a
nasty scar which Rahadin carries to this day on his inner
thigh.
Zrin-Hala, the Howling
Storm
Zrin-Hala is anything but subtle, he represents unchecked
emotions, chaos and destruction. Restraint is his enemy
and he will release the true power within all under his
dominion. He appears as a mixture of storm and magic and
the very presence of them in the ethereal can cause
confusion as to whether you just walked into a regular
storm.
Vision
To see the land turn into a continuous battlefield. He would
thoroughly enjoy watching as fledgling warlocks, wild
sorcerers and raging barbarians battle in epic clashes,
anything to keep the action going.
Traits
He looks for mortals that display recklessness, ambition
and a taste for.. well.. chaos. Murder hobos are a-okay in his
book, as long as they do it in style.
Characters that specifically go for Wild Sorcery or
thunder/lightning themed characters are also very fitting
for Zrin-Hala.
Lure
He promises power, but it comes in varying dosages. For a
wild magic sorcerer, he might offer to amplify their magic, a
barbarian to make their rage more raging, etc. Perhaps
grant a special effect on critical strikes, rolled from a wild
magic-esque table.
Scheme
Zrin-Hala hates the current state of affairs in Barovia, it is
much too dull for his tastes. Rather than kill Strahd, Zrin-
Hala will reduce their castle to rubble through his pawn.
He will push his champion to recover his Warhammer from
the nest of the Roc and bring it upon the pillarstone of
Ravenloft, to break it down!
Manifestation
When storms gather in Barovia, wild and unbridled.. when
thunder strikes in hostile manner and wind threatens to
push you towards death, then you may have attracted the
attention of Zrin-Hala.
When appearing to mortals, Zrin-Hala appears as a large
male wild-haired and with wide eyes. He speaks
boisterously and will find any slow conversation boring,
unless it relates to topics of revenge, power and
destruction.
In the Ethereal, the projection of Zrin-Hala appears as a
great stormcloud high upon the sky, but may descend and
condense himself into the shape of a large elemental,
terrible to behold and threatening to siphon anything that
comes too near.
Zrin-Hala boons
Stages of commitment
Stage 1: Zrin-Hala imbues the character with
powers of the raging winds. They gain the
trait 'I feel a storm inside of me'. When
dealing damage with a melee attack as a
reaction, add +1d6 lightning damage to that
attack, as a jolt springs from your body to
them.
At this stage everything in a 5ft radius
around the champion smells of ozone and
affected objets feels static to the touch.
Stage 2: The champion gains the ability to
cast Lightning Bolt once per long rest without
expending a spellslot. This deals an additional
1d6 of damage. The lightning of their inner
storm is now rolling up their arms
occasionally.
Stage 3: Zrin-Hala gives his champion the
ability to cast Storm Sphere once per long
rest, letting them truly unleash his inner
storm at will.
At this stage the champions' eyes
occassionally flash as if lightning strikes
within them and they can let harmless
lightning run across their skin at will.
Artifacts, override or provide locations as
necessary.
Orb of Chaos: This orb sizzles with wild
energy. Every long rest it generates one of the
following spells, chosen at random, which the
wielder may cast without expending a spell
slot.
Fly
Gust of Wind
Gaseous Form
Elemental Weapon, except type must
be thunder or lightning.
Call Lightning
Sleet Storm
Zrin-Hala's Hood: This black hood seems to
sometimes have lightning running across it.
When worn it allows the wielder to cast
Thunderwave once per long rest. If worn by
the champion, increase its damage by one
die. It is currently stashed away in Van
Richtens tower.
Scimitar of Storms: This +1 scimitar is edged
with blue crystal, and has a golden hilt.
Holding it gives a sense of power and ones
hair seems to slowly get frizzy over time.
Whenever the wielder of this blade rolls a
critical miss on their attack, a Thunderclap
spell is cast upon the wielders location, also
affecting the wielder. Whenever the wielder
of this blade rolls a critical hit, they instead
deal an additional 2d6 lightning damage to
their target, in addition to other benefits the
critical strike may impart.

The story of Sykane
The cult of Sykane had been promised one thing in
particular by their leader; an afterlife, just for them. No
judgement by foreign gods, no hell or heaven to fear. All in
the cult would share in a world of their own, to shape and
exist in as they pleased. The promises of this kind were
many, and the leader of the cult prided himself on his ability
to attract members with his tongue. He slowly but surely
built up a vision of paradise to his followers, setting each
on a path of their own damnation, culminating in ritualistic
suicide in the name of Sykane.
They were careful, and though their numbers grew large
they always managed to escape the watchful eye of the holy
orders. It was so, until the leader began to feel old age
creep up on him, and he started having private doubts
about the reward Sykane had promised to him for his
service, so very long ago. The thoughts about what truly lay
ahead for him in dead, started to terrify him and eventually
he turned his back on Sykane and sought out the holy
orders with all he could carry.
He had only one path to some sort of salvation; full
cooperation and trying to right the wrongs. It was true that
Sykane kept the souls consigned to him, but not in a
paradise but in a private demiplane where he feasted. The
cult leader was brought to the Amber Temple with the
artifacts of the cult, where he would assist in binding
Sykane. If Sykane could be bound, he thought, then he
would be safe from retribution.
The binding
The treasures of Sykane were scattered around the amber
sarcophagi, and with the guidance of the temple magi, the
ritual began. The leader shakingly invoked his old master,
and drew him from the darkness to his servant and the
artifacts which he had imbued. But Sykane did not come
alone, and the temple was beset by violent spirits in his
thrall, possessing and raking at the souls of the magi,
causing them to fight amongst themselves while trying to
complete the ritual. The cult leader heard the screams of
all those he had damned, and his ears bled.
The leader fell just before Sykane was eventually trapped.
The soul of the cult leader did not go gently into the night
as Sykane, his anger and malice amplified in pursuit of
revenge, caught it in his grasp and tore it to shreds before
devouring it ouright. When things had calmed around the
temple, the magi could still hear the screams of those
damned souls and their arbiter in their nightmares.
As for the souls Sykane brought with him, their twisted
essence still lingers in the Ethereal plane..
After the mists fell
Sykane rested in quiet envy at the fate of Vampyr and his
new champion. It should have been he, who called to
Strahd.. but he knew it was impossible. Strahd could not
truly harbor Sykane's power, he neither had the aptitude
nor the disposition to take advantage of the dead. Sykane
instead turned his attention to the pact Vampyr had made
with Strahd, the cycle which he bound Tatyana to, decade
after decade, century after century. The nature of this pact
became clear to Sykane, and out of spite he even attempted
to interfere in this cycle, but without a champion he was
not able to overcome Vampyrs defenses.
He probed the populace of Barovia several times, but those
who cared for the souls of the dead were often servitors of
the Morning Lord or Mother Night. They could sometimes
be corrupted and guided into further exploration, but they
were always disappointments in the end. Too cowardly to
truly interfere with the spirits of the land, too unintelligent
to properly protect themselves when they failed their
incantations.
The first champion
The first true champion of Sykane was destined to be not a
Barovian, but a Vistani. Vivolia Mauritzio was a
charismatic young man with a zest for life and a talent for
story-telling, as is common in his people. He was the leader
of the troupe that visited Vallaki on occassion to perform in
the town square, prior to the outlawing of Vistani in Vallaki
altogether. In these carnivals Vivolia would see to it that the
Vallakian children could enjoy fire-shows, dancing bears,
juggling and amazing stories from beyond the mists. All
was well, until a fateful night where the captain of the
guard kicked down Vivolias' door and dragged him away in
chains.
The Vistani had been accused of a number of thefts that
had occured during their carnival, Vivolia was the only
Vistani they caught, as he had spent the night in pleasant
company. He bartered, charmed, intimidated, begged, tried
to name names, but to no avail. He was thrown into a cell,
while the Burgomeister ceremoniously announced that he
would be executed for the crimes of his kindred.
Vivolia quick became desparate. As a lover of life, wine and
women, he could not face the bleak outlook of his fate. For
all the good he gave, he was in the end a man who would
turn over anyone to preserve himself, or make any trick to
get out of a bind. He called to his ancestors, he called to the
Barovian's own gods, he called to anyone who would listen.
Sykane heard him, and came to him with his offer.
Servitude, for freedom. An offer Vivolia was quick to
accept. As Sykane invested his power in this new initiate,
he explained exactly how Vivolia should proceed.
The next morning the guard captain found the jail cell
empty, the guardman on duty laying on the floor cowering,
speaking madness of ghosts and whispers. The poor
warden was tried for neglect of duty and madness, both of
which are terrible crimes to be guilty off. Vivolia was bound
for the Amber Temple, to pay tribute to his new master.
Sykane, Soul Hungerer
Sykane is truly malevolent. Where Vampyr feasts upon
longing, Sykane prefers to feast on souls directly. For him,
souls exist to be controlled and used as he sees fit,
entertainment, advice, spies.. or dinner.
Vision
To convert Barovia into a necromancer's paradise. Those
with the aptitude for it will lawfully be allowed to chain the
spirits and bodies of others to their service, with Sykane's
champion as the undisputed lord among the damned.
Traits
He looks for intelligence, the will to dominate others,
resourcefulness and apathy. If a character displays a
special interesting in the afterlife of Barovia, this should
also spark his interest.
Lure
Sykane will offer the character the truth about the afterlife,
and grant them the power to allow the dead to fight once
more against their oppressor. He will initially help them as
a guide to communicate with the dead, but might hint at his
help to break the cycle and bring Strahd to an end.
Scheme
Sykane understands the vicious cycle Vampyr has trapped
Tatyana in. While he has no love for her, he would love to
see the cycle ended just to taunt Vampyr. To do this, his
champion would have to be prepared for when she dies and
use their special ability to draw her ghost into the material
plane, bind her, and devour her soul. if this is possible
before the champion has reached stage 3, Sykane will grant
him this ability and knowledge of it.
Manifestation
When you feel a sense of hollowness in your soul, or a
slight tugging upon your heart.. the hairs on the back of
your neck rising nervously and a sense of dread washing
over you, its source not quite apparent.. then perhaps you
have attracted the attention of Sykane, and your soul is in
grave danger..
When appearing to mortals, Sykane prefers the guise of an
innocent, even a child.
Within the Ethereal, Sykane's projection appears as a
terrible warped humanoid with a gaping hole for a mouth,
from which one might hear terrible screams. His form is
naked and long-fingered. He seeks souls, intending to
devour them in a long grateful process of siphoning.
Note
When dealing with the souls of other players, consider
discussing beforehand with the champion's player what
they may and may not do, so as to not interfere with the
others opportunities.
Sykane boons
Stages of commitment
Stage 1: Sykane grants the champion the
ability to once per long rest summon the
spirit of a dead creature to speak with them.
This requires either a grave, corpse or
location of interest to the creature. The spirit
will answer questions based on how long it
has been dead: 24 hours/4 questions, 1
month/3 questions, 1 year/2 questions,
longer/1 question. The spirits are more
coherent and present the shorter they have
been dead. Additionally, the champion may at
the DMs discretion receive information or
messages from willing spirits, whenever
entering a new area.
The PC is gradually attuning them to the
Ethereal. After a long rest they may have
memories of Barovians coming to them in
the night, whispering pleadingly for salvation,
justice or eternal rest.
Stage 2: The champion may summon a Bound
Spirit once per day, from a deceased corpse.
Such a spirit will obey the champion for no
more than one hour, using the Bound Spirit
statblock in Appendix C. Only one such spirit
may be bound at a time. When the time is up,
the spirit may become a hostile Ghost if it
feels mistreated during its service.
The champion's skin becomes slightly
sickly transparent.
Stage 3: The champion may now devour part
of a Bound Spirit as an action. The champion
must roll a Wisdom check and will receive
temporary HP equal to their check. The spirit
will reduce its hitpoints in parallel. If this
reduces the spirit to 0 hitpoints, they
disappear. In addition, the time a bound spirit
will stay in service of the champion is
increased to 6 hours.
Artifacts, override or provide locations as
necessary.
Horn of Sykane: This grey battle-horn is inlaid
with bloodred symbols and depictions of
screaming faces. When blown, creatures
within 10 feet must attempt a DC 16
Wisdom save. On a failure they take 2d10
psychic damage, or half as much on a
success. Two Bound Spirits are summoned
that will obey the summoner for one minute.
See Appendix C for the statblock. The
champion ignores the save and damage.
Shroud of Souls: This pale shroud seems
tattered and old, but will not break or mend. It
bestows upon its wearer advantage against
any monster-effects originating from undead-
types, such as possession, vampiric bites, and
paralyzing touch. For the champion, this
becomes immunity. This shroud is worn by
the lich in Amber Temple, though they are
not a champion of Sykane, they fought a
previous one and donned it as spoils of the
battle. Whenever or not it comes into effect,
the faint sound of a scream can be heard.

The story of Savnok
Savnok was known even among other Gods as a scoundrel,
a trickster. Someone who spent their existence seeing just
how much they could manage to grind the divine gears of
the more lawful entities in the cosmos. As Savnok moved
from one plane to the next, his greatest ambition was to
cause mischief and chaos. He spent years recruiting like-
minded individuals, grooming them to play some particular
role in his scheme, until finally realising his plans. This
often left a hilarious chapter in that realms history book,
such as when the time the prince married a mermaid, when
the efritt sultan got locked in chamberpot or when a simple
peasant for a time was revered as a god.
For a long time, this was all it took to sate Savnok. The
enjoyment of causing chaos. But all his success only fueled
his ambition to dangerous levels, and he moved from the
ease of mortal society to target deities well above his
station. He began impersonating deities and causing
trouble, eventually daring a heist against Primus himself,
stealing an integral piece of complex machinery from a
factory. Primus was quick to decide upon a judgement
The binding
Though the deities and Primus in particular have other
ways of imprisoning divine lawbreakers, Azuth made a
strong case for the Amber Temple, and in time the other
deities agreed. They were not entirely convinced about the
capabilities of these mortals, but Azuth made assurances
and took personal responsibility.
The binding itself was surprisingly simple, as the lawful
deities sent agents of their own to help with the rituals, and
they had already prepared Savnok somewhat to prevent
any sort of trouble. Though, it would be false to say that
there was not trouble at all.
Though Savnok was prevented from his usual
schenanigans, and he knew he was being carefully
watched, he did manage to plant some intrusive thoughts in
the magi. Thoughts that manifested themselves for several
weeks after in boyish pranks and mischief. This was not
entirely unwelcome, as the isolation and scholarly lifestyle,
though prestigeful at the time, was very draining on the
spirits of the younger of the order.
After the mists fell
Savnok did not immediately understand the nature of the
champion that Vampyr had found in Strahd. He didn't truly
care either, he was finally at least a little free and he
projected himself into the Ethereal to see the splendors of
Barovia. He was sorely disappointed. Though Barovia had
not become as despondent as it would, the populace was
cowed by feudal obligations and the strong hand of Strahd.
Savnok set to work doing what he did best.
During the formative years of Strahds new regime, he
found many challenges from his populace as rumors of his
true nature spread and both ambitious nobles, pious clergy
and outraged peasantry mustered against Strahd. This was
all very entertaining to Savnok, and on more than one
occassion he takes pride in having influenced some of the
more imaginative operations.
The first champion
As the mortals rose and fell against Strahd, Savnok found
that his precious state of rebellious chaos changed over the
years to one of quiet oppression. One in which rebellion
against Strahd became a fool's errand. But even a fool's
errand can succeed with the right fool, so Savnok set his
mind to finding on of his own.
His first champion became a 10 year old Barovian boy
named Jozek. This child had lost both his elder brothers
and father against Strahd, and was left at the mercy as
those men that his mother and sisters invited home to help
feed the family. He had developed an unhealthy escape in
his own mind, and one day when his fantasies became a
little too real, Savnok gave him his first taste of power.
What followed was a rapid change in personality for the
young boy, as his imaginary friend seemed to have all sorts
of ideas on how to improve his lot in life. It began as thefts,
turning into fraud and finally.. murder. Never once did
Savnok feel it necessary to shatter the illusion that the boy
harbored, for this had turned into a cruel sort of joke for
him. As Jozek grew into a teenager, the other children had
started to become afraid of him. The bullies that young
boys often attract seemed detered from hounding this
strange kid and even the adults, though wanting to help,
became more and more distant.
It was a chance meeting that would see the end of this
young champion, as Strahd himself came to feed on the
fresh blood of Barovia. Jozek entered his elder sisters
bedroom, to find Strahd in his act. Not one to be disturbed,
Strahd gave the boy an escape "Leave now child, speak not
of this and you shall yet live to father children of your own.".
For any sensible young man, the choice was clear, to leave.
But Savnok could not resist the urge. He had not yet any
long-term plans regarding Barovia so he took the
opportunity and put mischief into the kid, making him
reply: "But my Lord, I have to speak. Don't you know my
sister is as wicked as they come? Her blood will surely give
you diarrhea or pox. You are better off with the baker down
the street!"
Savnok, the Inscrutible
Mystery is his middle name (but only Khirad knows that).
He relishes subterfuge and will seek to establish himself
through devious cunning and unseen preparations. His
mind takes delight in convoluted plans, that might seem
like fools errands until their dark designs are ultimately
revealed.
Vision
Savnok is somewhat paradoxial in his vision. He wants
conflict, he wants an underdog to fight a stronger power,
and yet to rule that power through secret operations,
roguish deals and blackmail. His champion would be the
unseen king, moving silently, acting through agents and
hiding behind body-doubles. Savnok will seek to always
provide the tool their champion needs, but will also delight
in making sure their own champion remains challenged,
just so he can show off.
Traits
He respects survivability, subterfuge, stealth and trickery.
He especially favors getting others to do ones dirty work
without personal risk. Rogues, bards and wily spellcasters
are quite attractive to him. It gives him a certain glee when
someone manages to turn the tables on an enemy, and stab
them in the back.
Lure
Savnok will offer ways to aid in assasination and
survivability. He will speak of how much easier it will be to
achieve their goals if they have the proper tools for the job
and how much Barovia deserves to be free of tyranny. He
will be wily enough to change his speech to fit the target.
Manifestation
A feeling of deja vu.. that things are a bit out of place or
perhaps repeating themselves in minor ways. A bird that
very suddenly stops chirping, a squirrel looking particularly
enthralled by something unseen or a movement just off the
corner of your eye.. this might mean that Savnok is nearby,
his attention diverting your own. His gaze observing your
response.
When appearing to mortals, Savnok likes to disguise
himself as a particular profession and 'act the role'. He is
one of the few who might appear simply for the fun of
messing with mortals, or using it as a means to foster a
new champion, even going so far as to appear to children
as an imaginary friend to help them make the 'right'
decisions on path to servitude.
Within the Ethereal, the projection of Savnok appears as an
odd being with colored cloth - sort of like a jester. He
always seem to be pursuing some scheme or following the
projection of a rival vestige, or leading them on a mad
chase, pretending he has found something interesting.
Savnok boons
Stages of commitment
Stage 1: Savnok bestows upon its champion
the ability to cast Disguise Self as will. If the
champion is already a warlock with this boon,
they may instead cast Invisibility once per
short rest. The champions outward
appearance is not affected, though they will
find their mind more inclined towards
alternative solutions.
Stage 2: The champions mind is now
protected by Savnok, making them immune
to Detect Thought, telepathy, charm effects
and psychic damage.
Stage 3: Through unknown channels, Savnok
is acquiring perplexing magic for the
champion to use. The champion may at the
start of each long rest choose one spell from
any classes spell-list of level 3 or lower, that
they may then cast once as if using a level
three spellslot of the corresponding class,
and having the required components. The
chosen spell may not have a component cost
of 100gp or more. They can only have one
such spell prepared at a time.
Artifacts, override or provide locations as
necessary.
The Puzzle of Savnok: This hand-sized bronze
pyramid cannot be identified, except to the
extent that it is openable. It is intricately
designed and its components can be moved
by fiddling with it. A creature may attempt a
DC: 24 intelligence roll to open it. When
opened, it whispers the name "Savnok.." and
confers upon the opener a permanent +1 in
all mental stats. it is currently located in
Bilraths shop. The champion always have
advantage on these rolls.
Shard of the Inscrutible: This hand sized shard
lazily flows around the wielder, refusing to
leave their side while they are conscious. It
confers upon its wielder +1 Intelligence and
will generate a 1st level spell from any spell
list of the holder's choosing. The equipped
creature may cast this spell, as if they could
normally cast the spell, drawing the necessary
knowledge from the shard. If this is equipped
by the champion, they may instead choose a
2nd level spell.

The story of Tarakmedes
The host of Tarakmedes came upon Rynorea, numbering in
the thousands of devoted acolytes, twisted cultists, bone-
clad berserkers and all manner of like-minded individuals.
Their host was accompanied by wagons clad with bones,
banners of the grave wyrm and foul magic that seeped
between the bones and flesh, that twisted itself to the will
of these spellcasters. Among them came Tarakmedes'
avatar itself, his presence in the material. His avatar was
created by his followers from the strong bones of an
adolescent green dragon and adorned with its scales in a
grotesque manner.
The host set forth a demand to the monarchy. To grant
them access to each and every graveyard in the kingdom,
take what they wished and leave when they were sated.
They did not wait for a reply to begin, and the villagers
quickly fled to the castles and towns that they could, as the
host rampaged. Anyone who protested or tried to stop this
host, became part of the meal, seasoned and broiled, baked
or carved alive, in cruel experimentation. Few of them,
were offered the chance to join, and only those that could
digest human flesh without vomitting were accepted.
It would be during the winter that the host of Tarakmedes
met its final defeat, though their ranks hardly dimished
before this time. Surprisingly, a notorious warleader
dedicated to Bane, Garvol Bloodspike, would be the one to
lead the final onslaught on the ravaging host. What exactly
convinced Bane to go against Tarakmedes is unknown, but
the bards speculate it was a matter of principle or simple
and utter disgust.
The binding
After the final battle there were many idols and crafts
tributed to Tarakmedes among the debris. Among those
followers that survived, not a single one would betray their
master, being fanatically devoted. They were consequently
executed by Bane's faithful. All objects of significance to
Tarakmedes that could be gathered, were sent to the
Amber Temple. There was much discussion about who
should be in charge of this transport, but Garvol
Bloodspike claimed the right.
The choice of Garvol as the leader, was the right one. On
the voyage several faithful of Tarakmedes attempted to
intercept the convoy to reclaim their treasures, but the
chosen of Bane would not be detered by anything. Their
discipline and ruthless dispatch of any interruption made
the voyage a certainty.
During the binding, it was eerily silent. The magi were
nervous, expecting the worst, so were the chosen of Bane,
though they would hardly admit it. As Tarakmedes drew
near, the assembly braced themselves while the
incantations echoed in the night. Nothing happened.. all
was well. Until a scream was heard from a chosen of Bane,
as they flung themselves on the nearest comrade, followed
by a magi doing the same. Mayhem ensued. Garvol felt the
call of Tarakmedes as well, he tasted the sweet succulence
of flesh in his mouth, but he stood his ground and
protected the magi responsible for the binding, while his
brothers tore each others' limbs off to eat. It was a costly
battle, but in the end, successful.
After the mists fell
Tarakmedes was keen to get started on reforming his host,
one that could find a way to free him and create a proper
avatar for him to inhabit and feed from. He started to reach
out, first searching among the tribespeople of the
mountain, who were isolated and might be inclined
towards cannibalism. He found several such creatures
among them, and he decided to move slowly. Without a cult
to rely on to take care of the recruiting, and with his
limitations he had to rely on the petty illusions and visions
many of his kindred were so fond of.
His new followers proved disappointing, often being too
blatant about their newly realized tastes or too unintelligent
to be of any use for what he needed. His cult did rise for a
time though, guising as a newly emerging order of mother
Night. For a time, Strahd was tolerant of them, having his
new existence to ponder and other enemies to battle. But
the cult fell apart before they could realise any true power,
though the arbiter of its demise was not Strahd, but Baba
Lysaga, before the fall of Berez. She came to them posing
as an equal, feasting upon the heart of a young man who
had refused her favor. When she knew enough about their
cult and their true intentions, she saw to their destruction
by bringing them a corpse to feast upon, poisoned by her
own hand.
The first champion
The first true champion Tarakmedes found was a woman
named Manila Rovita. She came from a merchant family
in Krezk that oversaw caravans to Vallaki, and their
protection. She was on her way with the caravan to Vallaki
to discuss new terms for trade, and to participate in a
Vistani carnival that was scheduled to be held during her
stay.
The caravan was beset by the werewolves, more of them
than they had ever had to deal with before, though they had
brought silvered weapons for that exact purpose. Manila
fled back towards Krezk, while her guardsmen did their
best to slay the beastmen and securing her escape. Manila
was chased by a crippled werewolf, but one who was
regaining its strength quick and who would soon catch her
she knew. She turned behind a tree and held her silvered
dagger tight, ready to strike it as it passed. The plan
worked, but it was not slayn, and the combat ensued.
Malina managed to slay the werewolf, but her leg was
bitten. She was unable to move, unable to leave and she felt
the curse seeping into her. Would she die from loss of
blood? Would the curse save her life, but doom her future?
Her mind was beset by fever and fear, when Tarakmedes
spoke to her. "Eat, and be saved from both. Eat, and I will
restore you. There is power in the flesh, there is power in
you." his words came as deranged, but they met a desparate
mind and found fertile soil. She felt the power of
Tarakmedes surge through her own flesh, as the tore
through the corpse in front of her. Perhaps the curse of
lycanthropy helped her find the appetite, or perhaps it was
sheer force of will that saw her through the deed.
The promise was kept and Malina lived. It would not be
long until her body ached for more, and Tarakmedes
guided, his hopes for her capabilities high. But her ways
were discovered by the church of the Morning Lord only a
year later, who saw her executed.
Tarakmedes, Grave Wyrm
Tarakmedes is a connoisseur, feasting upon the dead,
recent or ancient. He is willing to share his powers with
subjects that can appreciate the taste and stomach the
vileness of the act.
Vision
Barovia is well underway to being a miserable giant
graveyard, connected by crypts, tombs and catacombs.
Tarakmedes would wish to rule from beneath it all, hidden
in the dark reaches of his catacomb, wandering the ancient
corridors picking and choosing from the ever building pile
of dead. He would open the mists to other realms if he can
figure out how, if only to secure new supplies of fresh and
exotic cadavers.
Traits
If a PC is a cannibal, then they are already perfect for
Tarakmedes. Otherwise he might look for uncompromising
ambition, unscrupulous behavior or even druids who might
be convinced of the cyclical beauty of devouring the dead.
He also tempts the desparately hungry to eat a nearby
corpse raw, human or otherwise.
Lure
Tarakmedes will overstate his own capabilities and the
power he will bestow upon a potential champion. He will
promise them the power to turn decay into strength, stating
that the power of the defeated is rightly theirs to take..
Scheme
Tarakmedes has a great ambition: he will feast yet again,
but this time he will feast on the remants of Vampyr. He
will set his champion upon breaking Strahd regularly, but
once Vampyr is forced to come forward (and is beaten) he
will grant his champion a way to begin consuming Vampyr
in a long process. Most of this power goes to Tarakmedes,
though his champion will feel it.
Manifestation
Maggots crawl in odd places, a strange meaty smell hangs
in the atmosphere.. you feel like it is more dusty here, as if
it hangs quiet in the air. A breath upon your ear.. Perhaps it
is mere coincidence. Perhaps it is Tarakmedes, hungering
for a snack.
When appearing to mortals, Tarakmedes could either take
the guise of an abnormally fat peasant, a butcher or
perhaps a white-haired old man, depending on why he is
meeting them.
Within the Ethereal, Tarakmedes' projection appears as a
draconic being made of skeleton, flesh and darkness,
dripping with the remnants of a shadow demon in his great
maws. His projection 'flies' through the Ethereal, on
leathery wings spying on his rivals and lingering near the
dead.
Tarakmedes boons
Stages of commitment
Stage 1: Tarakmedes bestows the ability to
consume humanoid corpses, old or new.
When the champion spends atleast an hour
feasting, they gain temporary hitpoints equal
to Xd4, where X is the champions level.
The character's breath gives off a strong
smell of decay, but to the character itself it is
quite delicious.
Stage 2: Whenever the champion feasts on a
recently dead NPC, they may gain a vision of
the targets past life, at the DMs discresion.
Additionally, the champion becomes immune
to the poisoned condition, and gains
resistance to poison damage.
The character's teeth are sharper and their
jaw and throath becomes more flexible,
letting them more easily and gruesomely
devour their meals. They now must only
spend 10 minutes to gain the effect
described in Stage 1.
Stage 3: The champion takes on a ghoulish
appearance and grows a pair of deformed (but
oddly functional) skeletal wings, gaining a
flight speed of 30ft.
Special: If the players manage to summon and
defeat Vampyr, this character may consume
the essence of the fallen God with
Tarakmedes' instincts. If they complete this
process uninterrupted, they will have gained a
part of a gods power and are potentially to be
considered a minor demigod. Tarakmedes will
have eaten the majority.
Artifacts, override or provide locations as
necessary.
Blood Amulet of Tarakmedes: This amulet is
entirely made of bone and depicts a
monstreous creature dyed in different hues of
red. When worn, this artifact grants its wearer
+10 maximum hitpoints. Over a period of
two days being worn, the teeth of the wearer
sharpens, allowing them to make a bite (STR)
attack, dealing 1d12+Strength acid damage
on a hit. At this point, the amulet is seemingly
impossible to remove. What it takes to
remove it is up to DM discresion. This attack
may be used as part of an Extra Attack, should
the wearer have that ability.
The Butchers Cleaver: This is a +2 cleaver
dealing 1d6 slashing damage. It was used by a
butcher, who became favored by Tarakmedes
and through his acts it became bloody and
despicable. Whenever this lands a critical
strike, roll instead on the cleaver table in the
appendix. If this is held by the champion,
treat it instead as a +3 cleaver dealing
1d6+STR.
The DM may want to make the Butchers
Cleaver sentient with a neutral evil personality,
turning unwary NPCs into violense with it, and as
an entry for characters into meeting Tarakmedes.

The story of Shami-
Amourae
Shami-Amourae maintained a palace in a demiplane of her
very own, inviting individuals to stay and enjoy the
intoxicating splendor of her 'chambers of delight', which
offered anything that the heart could desire. A master of
both enchantment and illusion, there was nothing that she
could not procure for her dotting worshippers.
She made certain that her visitors only stayed for a set
amount of time, after which they would be required to leave
or pay the price to stay. For most of her subjects, this
palace was the afterlife they had dreamed off throughout
their mundane mortal lives, and having to leave.. was
torture. It was a punishment greater than death, to having
tasted paradise and be cast out.
The price to stay was simple. Servitude, eternal servitude
in whatever form was required. In truth, she took
ownership of their souls, and in return they would partake
in their desires.. and partake.. and partake.. eventually, the
desires would fade and turn to bitter emptiness. At this
point the servants would gradually be required to perform
services further and further away from the clientelle,
eventually doing only hard manual labor to fuel the palace.
It was Lliira, goddess of joy that eventually formulated a
plan to end this abomination. She confered with Lathander
and they devised a ploy to lure Shami-Amourae out of her
palace, to explore a newly discovered delight. While she
was away, faithful of Lathander found passage inside,
helped by Cyric who knew of secret ways. They discovered
that Shami-Amourae did not have any divinely recognizd
bindings with the souls in her thrall, and as such they could
be claimed. They quickly returned and mustered an escape.
When Shami-Amourae returned, she found her palace
devoid of both clients and servants. Her rage, was supreme,
but in her rage she made the mistake of staking claim
against the souls in front of Kelemvor.
The binding
Kelemvor accepted her case, and found her guilty of
dabbling in forbidden manipulations. Her punishment
would be imprisonment in the Amber Temple, to be kept by
mortals such as she herself kept. She whispered to the
magi.. oh how she whispered. Such sweet promises, such
sweet rewards. Wine, women, euphoria, ambrosia, bliss..
The will of the magi was broken, one by one, until they
were wholly unwilling to complete the ritual. It required
divine intervention from Kelemvor to break the enchanting
effect Shami's presence had on the keepers. They mind
was cleared by his stern words and they completed the
ritual of binding under his watchful eye.
After the mists fell
Shami-Amourae harbored great envy for the pact that
Vampyr had sealed with Strahd, as she felt that she herself
could have provided much, if not all that Strahd desired. He
was not indulgent or decadent, or especially lustful as her
clients usually were, but she could fix him! She knew she
could! Even though she could not offer immortality, she
knew that Barovia would have been a very different place if
she had managed to beckon him.
She fumed for a while, before venturing out to see what she
had to work with. For the better part of Strahds
reformation, she remained largely in the background, but
she delighted in seeing the despondence which Strahd
plunged Barovia into. The more difficult the lives of these
mortals was, the far easier it would be to coax them to her
service, she thought.
Her great difficulty lay in delivering her delights to the
mortals. She could go a long way with simple illusions,
visions and dreams, but to affect the material world truly,
she realised like her kindred, that she would need a
champion. Before she engaged herself in finding one
however, there was a long time where mainly Barovian
men received delightful dreams, with odd demands. Mostly
an experimentation from her side.
The first champion
Shami-Amourae found her first true champion in a
wanderer from beyond the mists named Aral Seaborn, a
travelling poet with a gentle disposition and an inviting
demeanor. He sought joy in life and to bring joy to others,
innocenet really in his disposition. Shami-Amourae came
to him, posing in many ways as Lliira, and presented
herself as a bringer of joy and bliss. She cried for the fate of
Aral, to have come to such a destitute land, forsaken so by
the happy things in life. Aral listened with a heavy heart
and set out trying to spread joy himself.
She did not immediately press for his worship, but as she
had expected Aral reached the same conclusions she had.
As he learned of the depressed state of Barovia, he cried
out and prayed for Shami-Amourae to come to him again,
so that he might pledge himself to his service and do good
in her name.
So it was that Aral became a beacon of positivity and
enjoyment, he started to attract gifts and services and
gained a keen sense of the peoples' desires and how to
fulfill them. He did not truly recognize how much he was
changing, but rather began to revel in fulfilling the desires
of others, and began to extract payment for doing so, first
with the mindset that it could help others, soon out of a
sense of justified greed.
Aral soon forgot his true nature and became used to
playing other people, never truly being threatening in a
direct way to anyone. Not until Shami-Amourae began to
nudge him towards turning the people against Strahd. Aral
chose his words carefully, and spoke them passionately and
charmingly as ever. The rebellion became a reality, but
before they could truly muster themselves for battle, a
dagger found its way into his heart while he slept.
Shami-Amourae was infuriated, but she never discovered
the identity of the assassin.
Shami-Amourae, Lady of
Delights
Give them what they want, and a taste of what they can get.
Then they will keep coming back, until they will never
leave.
Vision
Shmi-Amourae wishes to transform Barovia into a land
where every delight imaginable is attainable.. for a price.
Addiction will be her calling card and those who partake in
the delights, will soon find themselves drawn into fulfilling
more wicked desires, each time with a higher personal
price, until they themselves become slaves to fulfill others
wicked desires.
Traits
She looks for decadence, laziness, PC's who shows some
sort of addiction or wicked desire.. or who wickedly turns
others to addiction (dream pies!).
Lure
Anything that might spark their interest. She is adept at
handing out rewards, little by little, until the addiction is
certain. If ever the PCs ever start to regret it, let them feel
the power siphoning out as she laments having to let go..
but stress that they feel that more is leaving than they got.
Scheme
Strahd is much too traditional and lawful to allow what
Shami-Amourae has in mind. She does respect Vampyr a
little for his use of Tatyana's soul, but still.. Shami-Amourae
would prefer to have the people join her champion in
'freeing' Barovia. She will send her champion to share her
pleasures with the masses, order them to gather a mob and
lead them on a glorious quest to free the land. Once Strahd
and Vampyr are defeated, the Barovians should beg the
champion to guide them to the vision, which will be music
to her ears.
Manifestation
The sudden smell of perfume, the bloom of flowers, a
sensation of deeper appreciation for the colors around you
and a minor urge to be nearer to your friends.. to share
their presence and small impulses to try something new..
these might be signs that Shami-amourae graces you. Be
careful you do not get lost in her eyes.
When appearing to mortals, Shami-Amourae takes the
guise of a peasant girl, innocenent but beautiful, as if one
has founds a rose among shrubbery.
Within the Ethereal, the projection of Shami-Amourae
appears like a deific succubus, but flavored more akin to
something aquatic or flowery, than a fiend. In here she
doesn't need to hunt to get her nourishment. Simply setting
her eyes on a soul or shadow demon ensures their
enthrallment.
Shami-Amourae boons
Stages of commitment
Stage 1: She bestows a +1 Charisma boon to
her champion. They can cast Charm Person
once per long rest, except the target will not
know they were charmed at the end of the
effect.
The champion starts to exhibit a natural
charm and insight, moving more confidently
and endearingly.
Stage 2: The champion becomes able to cast
Suggestion once per long rest, and whenever
the champion rolls a Charisma-based check
to seduce or tempt someone, they do so with
advantage.
Their body, hair and general appearance is
now visibly changed from before and they are
considered quite becoming for their species.
Stage 3: The champion gains becomes able to
cast Dominate Person once per long rest at
DC 15. As long as a creature is addicted to
something the champion has provided, that
creature has disadvantage on rolls to resist
the champions' requests or commands.
Additionally, the champion may reroll a failed
Charisma save every long or short rest.
The champion becomes almost irresistable.
They have a seductive and inviting way about
them, whatever they do.
Artifacts, override or provide locations as
necessary.
Incense of Desire: This incense can be lit to
produce a sweet-smelling vapor. Any
humanoid that inhales this incense will
gradually become less resistant to charm
effects and be inclined toward romantic
behavior towards anyone they feel attraction
for. This incense can be created by the
champion with the guidance of Shami-
Amourae.
Garb of the Irresistable: This garb magically
conforms to your form and gender, making
you attractive to most people to some
degree. While wearing this garb you have
advantage on persuasion rolls and may cast
Charm once per long rest. If you are her
champion, you may also cast Enthrall once
per long rest.

The story of Drizlash
The eastern part of the Penuvelan forest was home to a
society of peaceful forest gnomes, but after a harsh winter
they suddenly found the woods around them infested by
spiders. They were perplexed, and tried to study these
creatures but soon found that their parties never came
back. Panic soon spread among the people, as they began
to see the yellow eyes stare at them from the darkness of
the night, and smaller spiders skittered into their houses
even into their nurseries and bedrooms.
The gnomes weaved their magic, and manage to repel the
spiders from their village, but they knew that they lurked
among the treetops and their dependency on free
movement was great. They called for help through a
sending spell, and were relieved to find their caall
answered by a group of adventurers led by a famed ranger,
and accompanied by a cleric of Helm.
The party fought their way into the lair of the spiders and
there found a mad elven druid tending it, speaking in
tongues and repeating the name 'Drizlash.. Drizlash..', their
hair and body covered with small spiders crawling as they
pleased. They were strangely mutated, as if they had
attepted to wild shape into the form of a spider, and never
quite come back again. The elf was speaking to gnome-
sized cocoons and the party realized with terror the fate
that had befallen the lost gnomes.
The party returned, after having burned everything in the
lair, having lost two members and having enough fuel for
their nightmares for years to come. Among the elven
possessions they found a rod and a ring, both of which the
cleric identified through study to be bound to Drizlash.
The binding
Helm took counsel with his kindred at the request of his
servant, and it was decided that Drizlash should be bound.
Her history was not just in the Penuvelan forest, but her
vile kin had been found far and wide, and now they had
artifacts to use.
The journey to the Amber Temple was fraught with danger,
as the artifacts seemed to attract the attention of
monstrous spiders of all shapes and sizes along the way.
Those who were closest to them were also slowly drained
of their sanity, as they heard the chittering of spiders at odd
times and swore they heard a voice far in the back of their
minds.
As the magi took the artifacts and began their binding, it
became clear that Drizlash would not be easily imprisoned.
Spiders crawled from cracks and crevices in the temple,
more than seemed possible and gathered in swarms to
harass and scare the magi. They crawled quickly up their
bodies and into their hair and ears, requiring nothing less
than extreme dedication to not have the ritual interrupted.
It required some inventive spellcasting to protect the
binders from the assault, and for a while the ritual was
disturbed and almost failed. But in the end, the spiders
scattered and Drizlash too, was bound.
After the mists fell
Drizlash was slow to realize its new found freedom, the
wards of the magi having been broken so far as she could
influence the minds of mortals like her fellow prisoners.
She projected herself for years not to find followers, but to
understand the nature of Barovia and the mists. She
wandered the outskirts in her Ethereal form, setting her
appendages upon the barrier and in doing so becoming
keenly aware of her entrapment.
She knew traps, she could admire traps. Once satisfied
that she knew the confines of her prison, she began to test
the various ways she could contact the mortals. It was new
to her on many fronts, but she learned. Her demanding
chittering became a soothing song if she chose. Her wicked
form became more.. humanesque if she wished to show
herself in dreams or visions and she began to quietly
observe how her kindred attracted these mortals with
promises of gifts and investments.
The first champion
Drizlash learned of the druids of Yester Hill, and sought
possible servants there. Few mortals had the tolerance for
spiders that she required, and a mad servant like her prior
would not be much use for her in the long run. She needed
someone intelligent and strong like herself.
She tested many among the druids until she found a
potential servant. It was a female human named Tinnra,
who had studied the form of the spider already and was
working to perfect its use. She was young for a druid, newly
initiated perhaps, but having the aptitude for more. For
days, Drizlash simply observed her attempts and
dedication. It was rare, she knew, that a druid would
choose this particular form. Many found it disgusting, vile.
But in truth it was strong, flexible and a perfect hunter.
She reached out to Tinnra, slowly, carefully, not as a spider
but as a lady of the forest, a patron of druids. They spoke in
conversation during Tinnra's long periods of meditation,
about the cycle of nature, the state of Barovia. In many
ways, Drizlash was a friend to this mortal. She was
spinning a web of lies that slowly encircled the mortal.
Drizlash carefully broached the true subject, a pact, an
agreement a trade. She offered her guidance on matters of
nature, promising to help Tinnra achieve what others could
not, to protect her on the journey through Barovia and her
own learning. Tinnra bade time to consider and was
granted such. Drizlash knew patience well.
Tinnra eventually agreed, finding the promises sweet and
the requirements simple. Drizlash kept her promise, and
carefully conditioned her new servant to her requirements,
letting smaller spiders crawl on her, turning her mind
towards darker matters, and eventually drawing her
towards the temple.
Tinnra lived surprisingly long for a champion, nearly
making it to the Amber Temple. They met their end after
being caught in a snow flurry and suffering coldbite, to the
quiet disdain of her mistress.
Drizlash, nine-eyed
spider
Drizlash is a primal evil, animalistic but intelligent,
gruesome, terrible and unforgiving. She wander the
Ethereal in her preferred form, that of a giant spider, and
claim souls for herself by binding them in ethereal threads.
Vision
To turn Barovia into a giant mesh of swamp and forest,
breeding monsters in the dark recess of nature, forcing the
Barovians to become foragers in a hostile environment.
Her champion having transformed fully into a spiderous
monstrocity fitting for her inhabitance, with a lair deep in
the wilds.
Traits
Drizlash is attracted to characters that show disdain and
carelessness for those weaker than themselves, PCs that
thread upon NPCs to get their way, manipulate them to
gain loot or favors, or otherwise entrap them for own gain.
Those that display an animalistic or violent disposition
are also welcome, and in particular those that for some
reason or other has a character concept related to spiders.
Lure
She will readily dangle a more tame vision of a Barovia 'in
balance' to druids where the beasts are free from Strahds
control, or cater to a rogues desire for free movement.
She is also perfectly capable of playing the I am
misunderstood card, as spiders often are misunderstood
for being evil, when indeed they are a natural part of the
world. So too is Drizlash always misunderstood. She is not
evil, she simply plays the part she needs to in order to keep
balance in the world.
Scheme
Drizlash prefers physical dominance, though she will
employ poisons, traps and ambushes when possible.
Against Strahd she has no better scheme than to simply
defeat him, possibly by first disabling or killing his
lietenants one by one, by luring them into some sort of
ambush.
Manifestation
Spiders crawl upon surfaces slowly.. they seem to gather
around this location, as if waiting for a feast of flies. The
sensation that one might be crawling up your leg should be
a warning.. Drizlash is nearby, watch that she does not
catch you in her web.
When appearing to mortals, Drizlash may appear as a
smaller spider, splendid in colors and form, strong and
confident. She may challenge them to see beyond their
preconceptions to the harmony a spider brings, its place in
nature.
Within the Ethereal, the projection of Drizlash appears a
grotesque and giant pale spider, often walking the borders
and otherwise hunting for souls on her own, or if failing
that eating a Shadow Demon caught in her ethereal web
that she spins.
Drizlash boons
Stages of commitment
Stage 1: The champion gain the ability to cast
Web once per short rest, and gain a
1d4+Strength bite attack.
The champion becomes more careful in
their movements and feels their limbs
strengthen within.
Stage 2: Whenever a creature becomes
webbed by the champion, the champion may
immediately make one attack, if they are
within range of a webbed creature. The
champion may choose to succeed in checks
against Web effects automatically. They no
longer need to concentrate on the Web spell.
The champions skin begins to grow
patches of short-haired fur akin to a spiders.
Their fingers seem thinner and longer to the
keen observer.
Stage 3: The champion now has permanent
Spider Climb. Whenever the champion
attacks from a surface that requires the Spider
Climb effect to maintain even footing, they
gain a +2 circumstantial bonus to attacks.
The champion now has taken on the
mannerisms of a spider more fully. The PC
should be encouraged to act this out as they
desire.
Artifacts, override or provide locations as
necessary.
Rod of the Spiderqueen: This rod is a polished
wooden pole with what appears to be a
copper spider embedded on top. It bestows
upon its wielder +1 Intelligence, it passively
attracts a tiny spider, that functions as a
familiar. If used by the champion, this rod can
summon a spectral giant spider, which will
obey commands and persist for 3 rounds.
This one has been left in the hands of an
unworthy champion in the forests. There are
several hostile giant spiders nearby. This
artifact is carried by a champion of Drizlash
(see Appendix A).
Eye of the Spiderqueen: This bronze ring has a
cut emerald embedded. It bestows upon its
wearer +3 perception. If used by the
champion, it allows them to cast True Sight
once per long rest. When doing this, a third
eye grows on their forehead with a slight
skitter. This artifact lies forgotten under
baskets in either the Vallaki or Krezk general
store.

The story of Dahlver-
Nar
Dahlver-Nar was a fearsome demon-deity who for a long
time had thrived on being worshipped among the more
savage tribes around the world, encouraging ritualistic
combat, blood-oaths kin-strife, war and blood-glory. He had
amassed many idols, trophies from destroyed foes
displayed prominently in the victors abode or totems to
warn outsiders that this tribe had his favor.
He personally engaged in the Blood War for the demons
from time to time, reveling in the gore and mayhem. It
changed when his dedicated tribes stopped adhering to his
traditions, one by one. It seemed an usurper had arrived to
steal his faithful away from him, and he would have none of
it. He mustered his strongest champion to find and cleave
whatever missionary this sudden rival of his had brought.
The two met in combat and fought from early morning for
hours. So invested was Dahlver-Nar that he continually
imbued his champion with more strength, more rage,
bloodlust and fervor. His champion started to mutate with
all these infusions, but his opponent would not yield an
inch. And so the champion fell. Dahlver-Nar would not
accept defeat however, and with a burning terrible rage he
entered the now-corpse rising again, the body trying to
adapt to hold such a being, growing and twisting its form.
Dahlver-Nar went on a rampage in this form and would not
give it up. He massacred all in the tribe where he came and
moved onto the next, his mind lost in a bloodrage, wanting
neither sleep nor rest, but tearing the heads off his foes
whence he came. Eventually he made it to civilized lands,
never once stopping, here he was eventually stopped by
combined efforts of the chosen of Helm, Tyr and Bane.
The binding
The form of Dahlver-nar was determined to be the
strongest tie to the mad demon-deity they could find, and it
was entombed in a metal coffin and transported to the
Amber Temple, at all times flanked by the warriors that had
put it down.
They rested the coffin, bound by chains in front of the
assigned sarcophagus and the magi begun their binding. As
Dahlver-Nar drew near, the severed mangled corpse within
the coffin began to bind together again, and the coffin
shook. Violently, suddenly the chains were broken and the
metal box sundered. He rose once more, a terrible
monstrosity and fell upon the nearest living thing, a paladin
of Tyr. It took everything the protectors could muster to
keep Dahlver-nar from the binders, distractions, maiming,
taunts, physical obstacles. Many fell before the ritual was
completed, and the mass of flesh became still once again.
After the mists fell
Dahlver-Nar had calmed down during the years of his
imprisonment. He did not feel regret over his actions, but
only hatred for the mortals having the audacity to bind him.
Still, he would need a new body to inhabit, someone who
had devoted their life to him and would follow his tenets.
He sought the mountain tribe first and found that they had
many of the traditions which he valued, at least to a degree
where they could be influenced to fit his requirements.
He did what he had done before and slowly whispered to
the strongest among the different tribes, bringing them into
his fold. He fostered hatred towards Strahd, who had
conquered this land that should have been theirs, who
would eventually come to destroy them and their way of
life. He whispered to brothers to make them rivals, sons to
usurpt their fathers and elders about grievances of the past.
Soon, the ways of old were starting to come back and
Dahlver-Nar saw potential.
The first champion
Dahlver-Nar underestimated Strahd with his first
champion. He had groomed a young ambitious tribesman
called Ravikk into becoming chief and a deadly combatant
over the years, fighting with two hand-axes and being adept
at maiming his opponent during combat. He filled the
champions head with visions of glory, about becoming
warchief of this entire valley by conquering the frail old
man on the throne, so far away. He sent him dreams of a
throne of skulls, women bound to his desires and men
fighting for his amusement, and so the chief called his men
to battle, marching towards Ravenloft from Mt. Ghakiz.
The tribesmen were met on the road to Ravenloft by the
dead, crawling out of the earth and shattering the
confidence of most men in the warband, but none of the
warriors dared to flee from their chief, who was known to
be both cruel and of short temper in matters of war. The
champion ran first and decapacitated a zombie with a
single blow, emboldening his men. Several living fell, but all
the undead were destroyed. Ravikk proclaimed victory and
forced his men to press on towards the castle.
They made it to the gatehouse where Strahd appeared
behind them from a cloud of mist. He congratulated them
on their first victory, and regretted that this would be the
end of their little campaign against him. Ravikk felt a stinge
of fear at his unexpected appearance but stepped forward,
challenging Strahd to an honorable duel. Strahd smiled as
if expecting this, and summoned his armor and sword to
him. "You wish to fight me personally? Then let me see
your meddle" as Strahd flicked his wrist he spoke arcane
incantations and a ring of fire formed around the
combatants, detering interruption.
The combat was long, both parties having underestimated
the other's prowess in battle. The handaxes of Ravikk
found pale flesh, the sword of Strahd drank blood. In the
end, Strahd severed the prime hand of Ravikk in expert
swordplay and put his blade to their throat. "Well fought,
but your life is forfeit and I shall do with it as I please."
Ravikk only dared to hope for mercy for a short while as
Strahd began to leave. But as he tried to crawl, unseen
hands began pulling him towards the chasm.
Dahlver-Nar, he of many
teeth
A being of war, battle and carnage, Dahlver-Nar has
nothing in his mind but a return to the Blood War himself,
missing the challenge and thrill of constant gore around
him. A demonic deity, he relies on worship and in this
form.. he relies on a mortal. Something that rakes at him
every second of his existence, and the only reason he has
turned his mind to scheming.
Vision
To see his champion transformed into a grotesque being
such as himself, with the lands surrounding him being used
war, battle and carnage. The people shall be raised as
warriors, brutes and warlords shall rise and claim terriory
and everything shall be as entertaining as mortals can
provide.
Traits
He chooses those with the power to take what they please,
those who are decadent and demanding, and finally those
who couldn't care less who they need to step on to get
forward.
Barbarians and fighters in particular would catch his favor
as he isn't much of a spellcaster himself nor finds it a
worthy path forward. There is nothing better than downing
an arrogant magician though.
Lure
He speaks of granting the strength to defeat Strahd, of a
land of freedom (anarchy) and prowess (martial), and more
importantly that he knows of a secret way to use Strahds
strength against him (see Scheme).
Scheme
Dahlver-Nar knows of the crystal heart of Strahd in his
main tower, he plans to have his champion devour it piece
by piece, for each piece devoured this way Strahds
maximum health is decreased by -1 max hp and the
champion gains +2 max hp. There are 25 pieces of the
inner heart in total scattered once the heart is destroyed,
each piece takes one round to eat.
Manifestation
The unconscious clenching of your fists.. the grinding of
teeth and a loss of patience. Perhaps a sudden desire to put
someone else in their place or a thought in the back of your
mind of what you will do to an enemy when you have them
at your mercy.. these may be signs that Dahlver-Nar has his
eyes on you.
He may appear as a fallen knight, a dishonored soldier or a
de-throned baron, playing on feelings of pity or indignation
to open a discussion about Barovia.
Within the Ethereal, his projection is a body covered with
mouths and skulls, remnants from his most hated foes,
displayed as trophies. His very being is an amalgam of
hatred and flesh, grotesque desires and torment.
Dahlver-Nar boons
Stages of commitment
Stage 1: The champion receives an extra Hit
Die (+ con) of max hp, as if they rolled the
highest result on that die. Their muscles and
body seem to be bulging with fitness. The
player has a strong appetite, gaining the trait
'I have to eat twice as much to be sated'.
Their teeth seem to sharpen over time. They
may use a bite(Strength + proficiency) attack,
dealing 1d6+(Strength) damage.
Stage 2: Whenever a creature becomes
grappled by the champion, the champion may
use the Bite attack as a bonus action. The
shove action is now a bonus action for the
champion. Additionally, the champion may
use intimidation as an bonus action in order
to Frighten a creature. To do this, they must
roll higher than 10+2 x CR of the creature.
Strahd and other bosses may be immune to
this.
Stage 3: The champion has been warped into
a reflection of Dahlver-Nar, speaking with
their grotesque voice. They can now absorb
up to 4 skulls into their bodies, each granting
+1 intidimidation bonus and +5 max hp.
Dahlver-Nar will not accept the absorbing of
any skull that hasn't been a proper challenge
to his champions might.
Artifacts, override or provide locations as
necessary.
Skullchain of the Devouer: This iron chain
penetrates 10 human skulls, meeting again
forming a formiddable and disturbing
ornament. While wearing this, a creature
occasionally hears the tormented moan of
one of the victims in the chain. As a bonus
action, once per long rest, the wearer can
command the skulls to scream, imposing a
Wisdom saving throw (DC:12) to all
creatures, including the wearer, within 10
feet, taking 2d6 psychic damage or half as
much on a successful save. If the champion is
wearing this, the damage increases to 3d6
and the champion is not affected. Creatures
that die from this will bleed out their ears.
This skullchain changes hands among the
mountain tribes. Whenever the party meets
any barbarians, there is a 25% chance that
one of them wears this.
Dread Claymore: This long claymore(+2) is
imbued with volatile dark energy. Anyone who
attunes with it becomes cursed and unable to
willfully unwield it. When a character is hit by
this blade, they must succeed on a DC 10
Consave or suffer 1d4 Strength abilitydamage
until they complete a long rest. On a critical
hit, the save is bypassed. An Identify spell
does not reveal its cursed condition. The
curse can be broken by being kissed on the
cheek by a willing child, a successful DC 16
Religion check can reveal this. Its location is
denoted by an event (see Events).

The story of Zantras
For many centuries, the noble families of Stynozia vied for
the favor of the church of the crown, an insitution set in
place to decide upon the next ruler of the country through
the guidance of Zantras, he of truth and order. The children
of these noble houses were groomed from birth in
stewardship, languages, diplomacy, military matters and
even magic, in the hopes that they would one day be found
worthy of ascending the throne.
This system often fostered dark designs among the more
ambitious individuals in the system, and assassination
attempts on the crown were frequent, elimination of rivals
more so, and as the monarchs gained power they tried their
best to bestow favors upon their children.
Zantras delighted in the intrigue of the court. He delighted
in the matters of rulership and authority as well, and he
considered those that lost the throne to having been
unworthy of it in the first place. His grand ambition was to
find a monarch who was truly worthy, who would rule in
his name.. forever.
During a time of turbulence in the kingdom, the nobility
lost its hold on the commoners and the churches of
Zantras were the first to be raided for their exquisite
treasures. As the commoners rose to power, Zantras
bestowed upon his chosen monarch more and more power,
and guided them to more and more extreme measures to
suppress the rabble. When the gates to the castle were
finally broken down, the king stood tall with their
greatsword and royal regalia, they berated the intruders for
their insubordination and set about meeting out royal
justice. The carnage was great, and nothing in the throne
room was spared the blood. The will of Zantras guided
each swing, demanding ever more of the king, until, finally,
he fell to his knees.
The government, which was formed after the fall of the
monarchy, heard the will of the people and took all
measures they could to cut down the remnants of the noble
families. Cousins, nephews, distant relatives of the nobility
were treated as outcasts and many went into exile. But it
was not enough, and even though the church was broken,
the government was urged to seek the magi of the amber
temple.
The binding
Zantras had only few followers remaining, and the regalia
of the last monarch was sent to the Amber Temple to aid in
the binding, as well as any other treasure that could be
gathered, to be kept as a donation.
As the name of Zantras was chanted and called forth, the
magi did not know what to expect. They heard whispers
upon the wind and doors began to slam in the temple, the
shadows seemed to move. Fear gripped their hearts, but
among them few stepped up to bolster their wills, they
assumed leadership even before their leaders, and began
spouting orders among each other. Their wills clashed and
in-fighting began to draw attention from the binders.
Madness and ambition clouded the binders judgement,
until a young wizard polymorphed the troublemakers,
saving the ritual.
After the mists fell
Zantras sought out the spirits of the dead and collected
their memories, so that he might understand more clearly
the conquest and rise of Strahd in the valley of Barovia. He
saw from the souls of soldiers and retainers who had yet to
move on, how Strahd defeated the warlord of Barovia and
saw the valley converted to his culture, isolating the
mountain and forest tribes.
These memories he kept, for he imagined that the history
would be important to the future of the valley. As the saw
how the valley transformed under Strahd, from a
prospering country into a depressed and oppressed land,
he judged Strahd unworthy, and he set about to replace
him.
The first champion
Naturally, Zantras sought for a worthy replacement to
Strahd in the Barovian nobility, dwindling as their numbers
were. He found that the Wachter familiy was supportive of
Strahd's rule, despite everything that had happened. He
sought among the lesser Vallakoviches but could not find
one who he deemed honorable enough.
It was not until he sought among the von Holsts that he
found a young man with the charisma and drive to become
something grand. Laurentz von Holst began receiving
visions from Zantras, wherein he was placed during the
conquest of Barovia. He saw the rise of Strahd to be a great
ruler, one who civilized Barovia and provided just rule.
Then, Strahds fall and the depravity in Barovia that
followed. Zantras was direct, and offered Laurentz the
throne, if he would allow Zantras to guide him and take the
crown in his name. Laurentz, saw the fate of his people if
nothing was done, and accepted.
The champion began organizing the nobility and people,
using his position and familys wealth to do everything he
could to get eyes on Strahd, equip his troops and bolster
their morale. He had a natural charm about him and his
voice carried command and invited fellowship. Laurentz
wisely put much effort into avoiding Strahd's eyes for as
long as he could, identifying known collaborators and
avoiding their attention.
The efforts culminated a skirmish in the fields between
Vallaki and Berez, as Lauritz had received word that the
Burgomeister of Berez was prepared to join forces with the
rebellion. He brought only part of his force, not wanting to
attract attention. It was, however, a ruse by Strahd, and the
young nobleman was faced with the lord of the valley.
Strahd was mildly impressed by his young rival, he carried
himself well both as a commander and in the melee.
But even as Zantras bolstered his champion in a last effort,
it was not enough. Strahd defeated his foes and buried
their corpses beneath the earth, granting only the mercy of
not rising them as his servants.
Zantras, Kingmaker
With a commanding presence, Zantras imposes order
through whatever means are necessary. Perhaps more
lawful than evil, he does not agree with Strahd's lazy
approach to rulership.
Vision
Zantras envisions a kingdom ruled with a fist of iron,
militaristic at its core. He wishes to establish his champion
as a monarch and foster ambitions of conquest, or at the
very least of absolute order.
Traits
His chosen must be worthy of the crown. Authority,
leadership and charisma in general are worthy traits.
Someone who wishes to unite or save the people of
Barovia is applicable as well, as long as they are prepared
to take the responsibility of the throne. Then the measure
of order can come later.
Lure
Zantras might give a worthy PC a vision through their
dreams of the conquest of Barovia, showing them the rise
of Strahd as he defeated a bandit warlord upon the rock of
Ravenloft. He can give visions of how the people of Barovia
has been left to their own devises, and tempt the PC with
the idea of becoming a ruler themselves, bringing justice
and welfare to the valley. He will promise nothing less than
to mentor them and crown them king. If the player accepts,
this can manifest initially as an invisble crown that
nonetheless weighs upon their head, growing more
intricate and heavy as their authority grows.
Scheme
There is only one worthy direction: confrontation. If the PC
can involve the nobility of Barovia or the people, then all
the better. The champion must dispatch Strahd properly. It
is irrelevant if Vampyr is imprisoned or not, Zantras'
champion will perservere.
Manifestation
The brief vision of a distant kingdom, an impulse to feel the
steel of armor and the hilt of a sword.. a sense of
importance, a sense of worth and deserving dance upon
your mind.. perhaps you are finding your destiny. Perhaps
Zantras is finding you.
When dealing with mortals directly, Zantras appears as an
advisor or a knight, one who would be closely trusted by a
king, one who inspires the mortal to thoughts of grandeur,
unity and service. His voice would be concillery, weighted
and diplomatic, or rousing and honorable.
Within the Ethereal, Zantras' projection appears a warped
suit of armor, adorned with multiple crowns welded into it
of splendor and magnificence. A pair of crazed eyes might
be spotted within his full helmet. Here, his voice is
booming and commanding.
Zantras boons
Stages of commitment
Stage 1: The champion receives the Crown of
the Chosen, an invisible ring which is affixed
to the head of the champion, and can only be
moved magically in the following way. As an
action you can have the crown teleport onto
the head of a creature within 30 feet of you.
The creature has a -1d4 penalty on all saving
throws, and suffers the Crown of Madness
spell. The creature can make a saving throw
(DC 10+ proficiency bonus) at the end of
their turn, ending the effect upon a success.
The crown then returns to you. This ability
can be used once per long rest.
The crown returns to the champion if it is
moved more than 60'' away from them. The
Persuasion and Intimidation skill are upgraded
for the champion (they gain proficiency if
they do not have it, otherwise expertise if
they do).
Stage 2: The Crown of the Chosen is now
slightly transparent with fleur-de-lys of silver.
The champion gains advantage on Persuasion
or Intimidation checks when adressing
crowds (5+ people). They may additionally
impose a disadvantage on a save of a creature
within 30 feet of them as a reaction, once per
long rest. They gain the trait 'My word is law,
disobedience is treason'.
Stage 3: The crown is now fully visible and
encrusted with colored gems. The champion
gains the ability to cast Tasha's Otherworldly
Guise once per long rest without material
components, the crown shining in its glory.
Aditionally, the champion has advantage on
saving throws against enchantment spells.
They gain the trait 'I am a king if not in name,
then in right.'
Artifacts, override or provide locations as
necessary.
Scepter of Authority: This scepter allows its
wielder to cast Command (DC 12) twice per
long rest. If wielded by the champion, they
may instead cast Suggestion (DC 14) twice
per long rest (their choice which, but only
two in total).
Splendid armor of Zantras: This magnificent
silver +1 plate armor is emblazoned with a
golden Z, with black leather at the joints. If
worn by the champion, it provides resistance
to fire and cold.

The story of Delban
Among the many entities of malice in the multiverse,
Delban was a name spoken with fear. He was fated for the
Amber Temple, his sarcophagi already determined before
the temple was built, yet he was among the last to be
drawn to this prison.
The magi had nothing to bind him by, other than his name.
Their attempts would have to be right the first time, lest
they made him an enemy or worse, drew him and made a
mistake.
The binding
The cold crept up the amber temple, causing cracks in the
ancient walls. It seeped through the hallways and the magi
had to cast protective charms just to stay temperate. The
binding was long.. very long as if pulling a fishing hook
from the other side of the ocean, and the chill gradually
became worse. The magi began to shiver through their
charms and uncertainty began to spread among the
scholars. Could they even survive his arrival? Was this all a
mistake? What if the ritual broke while he was near?
The younger began to whisper these uncertainties in the
recesses of the temple. They began to distrust their leaders
and discussed in hushed voices what they could do to stop
the ritual before it was too late. One word took another and
soon their paranoia had egged them towards thoughts of
violence. The elder magi's didn't freeze as much as the
younger, their charms were stronger and they were surely
doing this as some sort of ploy to keep them under their
thumb.
At the last night of the binding, one of the elder magi
supposed to replace a binder was nowhere to be seen. Only
one of the younger magi was available to take the position
in the binding ritual, but their inexperience became a
liability. As Delban drew near, visions of his being began to
illuminate the temple, and the young magi took fear into
his heart, and fled the binding circle. Delban, laughed and
began to torment the magi around the temple with cold
hatred.
It was only through the last-minute intervention by a frost-
bite ridden apprentice that the ritual was salvaged, and
Delban was finally sealed.
After the mists fell
Delban felt ire for all mortals, but Vampyr became his
enemy during their imprisonment. He cared little for the
other Vestiges, but Vampyr had not seen to his release, and
neither did he seem inclined to. Delban was the Star of Ice
and Hate. He was not to be restrained, and the fact that
Vampyr was not immediately setting Strahd to study his
release quickly sparked hatred.
For long, Delban tried to force his way out of his own tomb,
setting all his will at breaking the sarcophagi. He did not
manage to make a crack or a dent, and it vexed him greatly.
He spoke at length with Khirad about their predicament,
but the others enigmatic answers only served to fuel his
hatred further.
He attempted to seek out servants from among the
populace, but his patience was failing him and the
ineptitude of the people he found made him lose his
temper and the recipients of his visions fled or went mad
from the experience.
The first champion
After many tried and failed experiments among the
populace and few outsiders who had wandered in, Delban
finally found someone able to channel his hatred in
Trissina Ruyera. She had for many years courted Strahd
in the hopes of bettering her life, only to be discarded from
his court, not being worth neither his company, his touch or
his bite, told simply to relish his good mood and return to
her fields. But her adoration of Strahd was turned to
hatred, and she attempted to find something, anything, to
avenge her broken vanity.
Delban saw her heart and spoke to her in dreams, finding
her to be true. He was straightforward and offered her the
power that she sought and the knowledge to use it. She
accepted on the condition that Strahd would not merely
die, but suffer at her hands. Delbans readily promised this.
She lived many years to become not just a vessel of
Delbans hatred, but a spellcaster of her own power, guided
by Delbans cold instructions and harsh punishments for
failure. She felt his icy grasp on her soul, and she grew only
colder in her emotions.. but she welcomed it.
As the time came, she altered her appearance to that of a
young beautiful maiden, and journeyed to the castle once
again, pleading as she did so long ago, and gained entrance
for an audience. Strahd took notice of her as she walked
into his throne room, and nearly raised from his throne, so
beguiled was he. Then as she smiled her most charming
smile, she unleashed her revenge in a spell of ice and flurry.
She had done everything she could to prepare for this,
every incantation had been prepared, she and Delban had
made cold calculations for eventualities, and for a time
Strahd was surprised and even hurt as iciles cut into his
flesh, rooting him in place.
The clash continued around the castle, as Strahd gathered
his focus and responded. Eventually, Trissina was crushed
as Strahd animated a gargoyle and set it upon her, breaking
her casting ability, her lungs and her spirit. Delban
returned to his sarcophagi, defeated and more bitter than
ever.
Delban, Star of Ice and
Hate
Cold and calculating as his name implies, Delban's devices
will make Strahd's torture chamber seem mild.
Vision
Delban will bring forth a winter and let the Barovian sit at
their hearths, dreading the night and day. Their grim lord,
his champion, shall ride from his castle and bring pain to
those who dare cross his path.
Traits
He will contact those who foster hatred, who are cold and
calculating, and who doesn't seem to care if their comrades
get hurt in the process. He might also try to challenge the
actual gods and patrons of clerics, paladins and warlocks,
appearing in their dreams together with their deity, but in a
manner where he establishes himself as superior. For
example showing Umberlee (CE, sea goddess) inside a
tidal wave, then freezing her within it.
Lure
He promises power to reach the goals of a PC, short and
simple. He will foster their hatred, fanning the flames,
remarking that disrespect must be punished appropriately.
Scheme
Being of Ice and Hate, there is merit to the idea of freezing
Strahd and Vampyr together, then flinging them to the
Baratok mountains. Sure, they might return in years, but by
that time it will be a cold pleasure to do it all over again.
The PC's must defeat Strahd, then finish him off with their
cold abilities to encase him in ice. During this several times
over will create a sacophagi for Strahd.
Manifestation
A sense of chill upon your skin, a coolness in your soul and
a confidence that your path is right. Do you foster a hatred
inside you, an injustice yet to be repaid? Perhaps you are
graced with Delbans attention, observing you and
measuring your worth.
Delban manifests himself as a figure of arcane power, his
eyes two black holes without eyeballs, his skin shrunken
but his presence imposing. He does not hide himself nor
what he is. If the mortal has enough ambition, the matter of
form should have little relevance.
Within the Ethereal, the projection of Delban appears as a
large robed being of impentrable darkness and a chilling
aura of cold. His hands remind one of a lich, yet it is
doubtful that such a title befits him.
Delban boons
Stages of commitment
Stage 1: The champions skin begins to turn
paler and becomes slightly cold to the touch.
They gain the cantrip Chill Touch dealing cold
damage instead of necrotic damage using a
spellcasting attribute of their choice.
Stage 2: The champions' Chill Touch will now
deliver one extra die of damage (as well as
any level-related bonus). The champion is
now considered cold to the touch and is even
more pale. They have resistance to cold
damage. Finally, they may cast invoke a blast
of cold air as in the spell Burning Hands,
except they deliver cold damage.
Stage 3: The champion may as a bonus action
once per long rest enter a state, in which their
eyes is surrounded by darkness and they
passively gain the effect of True Sight for 1
minute. During this state, their voice echoes
that of Delban, becoming raspy and spiteful
in its intonation. Whenever the champion
reduces a creature to 0 hitpoints with a cold
spell, they may instead encase them in ice
with 1 hp remaining, placing them in stasis.
This encasing can last for up to 12 hours.
Artifacts, override or provide locations as
necessary.
Staff of Ice: This staff replaces the one in the
Amber Temple. It retains the same properties,
with the addition that that if the champion is
wielding it, all ice-themed spells cast receive
one extra die corresponding to the spell.
Ring of Hatred: This ring of dark steel always
feel cold to the touch. When donned the user
becomes cursed, and cannot willingly
unequip it. They gain the trait 'It only takes a
single slight to incur my hatred. I will avenge
any insult'. Its wielder may keep a list of
grudges, and gain a +1 circumstantial bonus
to all attacks and checks made against a
begrudged character. When worn by the
champion, they feel the cold will of Delban
within the ring, and may store a spell of level
2 or below inside it, that can be cast as
normal at a later time.
Fingers of Frost: These gloves seem to always
be cold. When worn by a character they
negate resistance of any creature targeted by
your cold spells, such that immunity becomes
resistance, and resistance becomes nothing.
It does not make creatures without any
resistance extra vulnerable to your cold spells.

The story of Vampyr
Among the demons in the dark reaches of the blood war,
Vampyr was feared even among his own ranks. He
conducted dark rituals to turn the blood of his enemies
against them, and sought enemy lieutenants personally to
feast on them. It was not until a circle of devil spellcasters
from Cania managed to cast Vampyr into the Astral plane,
that he for the first time in many centuries felt thirst.
The dark being drifted for months, fighting off anything
that dared approach him. It was not in Vampyrs nature to
be knowledgable about portals and planar magic. He was
meant to be unleashed on a battlefield, and his thirst for
battle and blood made him mad. He was finally drawn to a
portal which deposited him on the material plane, where
he reformed himself in a twisted liking of the elven
inhabitants of the kingdom he found. He feasted yet again,
but on the blood of mortals.. as he drank he found its taste
to his liking. The uncorruptedness of it, the innocence. He
suddenly found himself less eager for battle and inclined to
stay for a few decades at least.
And stay he did, but though his form was mortal, his true
nature betrayed him and the eyes of holy orders and
entities of good befell and hunted him. For the better part
of a year he fled, not fearing battle, for what were mortal
men to him? But he knew that his name was known to their
gods and that his presence would not be tolerated.
He thought he had found friends, worshippers who would
learn from his magic and give him sanctuary, but as he
dwelled and rested beneath their sanctum, the holy men
barged in, accompanied by an angel. He was betrayed, by a
true follower of Asmodeus, but why? It became clear only
when he learned of the Amber Temple.
The binding
As with Dahlver-nar, Vampyr was brought to the Amber
Temple in a metal coffin, secured by enchantments and
divine bonds. But Vampyr was still alive in the coffin,
unable to escape his physical form, and thirsting.. thirsting
so much for the entire journey to Mt. Ghakiz. His form,
though initially indistinquishable from a normal elf, had
become withered and pale with thirst, his blood-red eyes
frantically seeking escape, and his fingers raked to the
bone from trying to escape.
Vampyr was brought to his crystal and with much effort
chained to it with luminous bonds. The magi begun their
binding and Vampyr could feel his essence being siphoned
into the crystal, and responded as best he could. Among the
magi, burning sensations started to weaken their resolve,
as their very blood started to boil within them and their
eyes began to swell. The angel himself, shared their pain
and tried to stop Vampyrs ritual, but Vampyr had expected
it and with a crack shot forth his mouth and bit into the
angel's wrist.
But the blood seared him and gave nothing to sate his
thirst. He spat it out in disgust, and the binding was in time,
completed
After the mists fell
Vampyr feasted on Strahds sorrow and desire, and tasted
the blood on his lips. He knew that he was yet a prisoner,
but it was a tolerable existence with Strahd as his
champion. But it also vexed him, for surely his rival
prisoners would attempt to usurp his rule?
His first concern was with the preservation of Tatyanas
soul. The pact was bound, and the soul was his to keep until
the next time he would allow his puppet a chance at her
company. For this purpose he sought and created a special
receptible for her to stay at in the Ethereal, hidden within
the mists far from the grasp and eye of his rivals, and of
course, Strahd.
His second concern laid in guiding Strahd against his
enemies. Though immortal, Vampyr knew that he was not
undefeatable. After all, he himself was defeated through
bindings rather than death. Strahd could not be bound by
the holy nor unholy. As predicted, the sons and daugthers of
the Morninglord and mother Night, as well as the nobility
mustered against Strahd, Vampyr was forced to keep
attention on Strahd for many years, through st Markovia's
rebellion and most recently Mordenkainens incursion.
The vault of Vampyr
At the edge of the border of the mists, straight east from
Ravenloft is where Vampyr took Tatyanas soul after her
death. He kept her in a state of preservation and dormancy,
as he built an ethereal vault around her. It was not apparent
to him how he should do this, and his first attempt was not
a viable solution for years to come, he knew. Eventually, his
rivals would find it, Drizlash that lurk or Yog that wander
and explore, or anyone given enough time. He did not trust
his binding to keep her safe, but what else could he do?
He would return many times the following years, trying to
perfect his protective wards, keeping anything away from
her soul. But as time went on, he grew ever more paranoid.
But he dared not seek counsel on this matter, except.. there
was one who could keep a secret. Khirad.. but what could
Vampyr offer? Release was out of the question. Still, he
sought Khirad and received from him advise on
safeguarding the vault.
Vampyr understood the instructions and found them very
wise, but Khirad gave this advise willingly and asked
nothing in return.. This did nothing to alleviate Vampyr's
paranoia, but as long as he could trust Khirad and he made
his own modifications, then perhaps that would enough.
Vampyr, lord of desire
and sorrow
Vampyr is a grim master of temptation and sorrow, his dark
heart working at all times to design the myriad paths for
Strahd and his people to gain hope or their desires, only to
have them crushed and emotions turned to that which he
craves most, sorrow and regret.
Note
Vampyr will not take another champion while Strahd is
bound to him. This is included for the sake of completeness
and in case you wish to use this supplement for other
purposes or have a longer afterplay where Vampyr might be
tempted to take a new champion to regain his lost hold on
Barovia.
Vision
Barovia is an example of his vision, a land based on his
champion's memories, a land that is exposed to hope to just
such a degree that it can be continously crushed. The
subject of his champions desires often within reach, but
never in their posession for long.
Traits
He is attracted to dark desires and burning passions,
individuals who holds untold ambitions and can be turned
to evil deeds in order to achieve this, and whose rewards
can be twisted into regret and sorrow.
Lure
Vampyr lured Strahd with the promise of his heart and
body's desire - Tatynna and immortality - one delivered by a
grim curse and another through Vampyr's continuous
designs.
Scheme
Vampyr's current scheme is to retain his power against his
rival vestiges and players. His primary concern is
maintaining his curse and hold upon Strahd, by having
Tatyana within Strahds reach and possession for just long
enough to stir Strahds emotions, before taking her away
again. His attention goes to this, and to protecting her soul
once she is dead, keeping her in his possession until the
time of her reincarnation.
Manifestation
The feeling of warmth within your blood, a sensation of
emotions and a longing for that which you hold dear. The
presence of bats that stare from trees beyond and the sight
of mist in the distance, might all be signs that Vampyr has
eyes on you. He might help you.. he might help you..
Vampyr only ever appear before mortals if it is in a scheme
to place Tatyana in Strahds' path, or see to her destruction.
In these cases he often simply takes the form of a Barovian
he has previously consumed.
In the Ethereal, Vampyr's projection may be seen near
castle Ravenloft, a gargantuan demonic gargoyle, feasting
upon a shadow demon or a soul, and guarding an entrance
to Tatyana's prison.
Vampyr boons
Stages of commitment
Stage 1: The champion gains the need to
drink from the blood of other humanoids.
Whenever they do so, they may restore lost
health equal to 2d8+4 or gain this as
temporary hp, dealing the same damage to
the target if they are alive. Their skin becomes
paler. If they fail to drink blood from a
humanoid over a period of 48 hours, they
must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom save or
enter a blood rage and will attack the nearest
humanoid with such. For each additional 24
hours spent, the DC increases by +3.
Stage 2: The champion gains the ability to
communicate and call upon the aid of 1d4
bat swarms or 1d6 wolves once per long rest.
They gain darksight and require less sleep,
reducing any long-rest to only four hours. At
this time their fangs have grown and the gain
a bite(2+Dex) attack dealing 1d4 piercing and
1d6 necrotic damage on a hit. The target
loses maximum HP equal to the necrotic
damage dealt by the bite, and the champion
regains hitpoints equal to it
Stage 3: The champion has increased trouble
accesseing their positive emotions, and gains
the trait 'I am forgetting what true happiness
is, my thirst guides me'. Their bite damage is
increased to 1d6 piercing + 3d6 necrotic
damage. They have a passive regeneration of
5 hitpoints per round. This is negated by
radiant damage or sunlight.
Artifacts, override or provide locations as
necessary.
Heart of Sorrow: This crystal heart is massive
and fills a 10 by 10 feet space. While attuned
to it, the user is considered to have an
additional hitpoint pool of 50, which resets at
dawn. This crystal heart can only be created
through the guidance of Vampyr and the
imbuding of large amounts of blood in its
creation.
Ring of Desire: This beautiful ring is very
precious and easily attracts the eye. Any
charm effects employed by its user imposes
an additional +2 to any DC score the target
has to beat. If this is worn by the champion, it
instead imposes +4 to the DC.
Song of Regret: This musicbox finds its way
into the possession of the champion and can
be played to relive some of the memories of
the past, with the emotions that follow. While
listening to this, the champion takes a -1
circumstance bonus on all checks.

The story of Khirad
Khirad was bound for the Amber Temple even before its
construction like Delban, though the magi responsible for
the binding never quite knew why. It was a decree made by
Azuth, echoed by Helm and Lathander. Until this decree
was made known to the responsible magi, the name of
Khirad was not known among them, and once it was made
known their curiosity got the better of them.
All they learned through their study and divination, was
that Khirad was en entity far removed from the pantheons
that had been recorded. It was barely mentioned at all in
the various myths, and when it was it was often mentioned
as an adviser, or giver of enigmatic omens. No religious
figures were to be found in worship of Khirad, neither any
cults nor churches could be gathered.
The magi were quite perplexed as to how they were meant
to complete the binding without any artifacts or persons of
interest. They would receive their answer exactly on the
appointed day.
The binding
Outside the temple, the magi lined up in expectation as a
magical gate opened not far from the entrance, and
through it stepped the archwizard Tatyria with a gnome
woman flanked by four paladins of Helm. The archmage
explained that the gnome had volunteered to carry Khirad
to the temple for the binding.
The magi were somewhat uncertain, having expected more
trouble, but the gnome simply wandered up in front of the
sarcophagi and remained still during the binding. Nothing
disturbed the process, Khirad was bound and pulsed
contently within the sarcophagi.
The elders of the order attempted to convince Tatyria to
reveal how Khirad so willingly came, why Khirad was to be
imprisoned at all. They even tried to inquire about special
safety precautions they would have to implement. But the
archmage had nothing to offer and merely thanked them
for their service, assued them that Azuth was pleased with
their work and teleported away with the gnome host.
Curiosity haunted the magi, both elder and younger for
months to come. Discussions were sparked and there
came prestige in defining the best theories for what Khirad
had done to be here. Two opposing theories were formed,
that Khirad either knew some terrible secret about the
gods, that this was some sort of hiding place for him or
finally that this wasn't Khirad at all, but some sort of non-
sentient magical entity.
After the mists fell
Khirad did not do much as the wards kept by the magi
faded and allowed the various prisoners to project
themselves. Many of his fellow 'in-mates' began asking him
questions, rightly assuming he knew more than he let on.
For the most part he kept silent and merely observed as
they scattered among the valley.
Vampyr finally approached Khirad, asking for help in
constructing an ethereal vault for Tatyana's soul, which
Khirad slowly and reserved decided to provide. He gave
advise on how to keep it hidden for the other Vestiges, how
to keep the Shadow Demons from skulking too near and
how to preserve Tatyana inside, as to not lose of her soul.
He saw that Vampyr was surprised at his lack of desire for
a payment for this service. Surely, he would have expected
Khirad to ask for freedom or something else that Vampyr
couldn't deliver anyway. Khirad merely provided his advice
and then remained silent, observing the valley.
The lack of a first champion
Khirad never sought a champion among the mortals, for he
did not desire dominion. But the first time Exethanter
came to the temple as a mortal man, he did beseech Khirad
to reveal arcane secrets, mistakenly thinking Khirad was
some sort of patron for wizards. Khirad didn't reveal
anything at the time, but as the years went on he started to
pay attention to this wizard turned lich. It became a
different sort of entertainment to observe him go from a
scholar to a memory-deprived ragged skeleton. Not that
Khirad relished the depravity, but he did see the beauty of
the irony.
The secrets of Khirad
Khirad knows many secrets of the cosmos, including true
names of several entities of power, the tuning frequency of
'private' demiplanes and some of the long-term schemes of
powerful deities on both sides of good and evil.
The true reason for his imprisonment can be interpreted as
being voluntary protection, or involuntary confinement. In
both cases, the secrets he hold is best kept secret
according to the deities that sponsored the Amber Temple.
In Barovia, Khirad knows the location and method Vampyr
holds Tatyana, the names and agendas of most other
Vestiges and if you want to allow anyone to know how to
circumvent the mists, Khirad would be an obvious choice.
Lastly, for any faith-inclined characters in the party, Khirad
may reveal that Kelemvor is the actual father of the
Morninglord or imply that he knows the true name of one
of the deities, devils or demons important to that character.
Which may be the truth.
Khirad, Star of Secrets
Khirad is the most docile of all the Vestiges. The reason for
its imprisonment is as mysterious as the being itself. It is
possible that it was imprisoned not due to any evils it
committed, but due to the secrets it discerned, and the
cosmic implications their reveal might entail.
Vision
Khirad has no desire to transform Barovia to his image, but
he believes that he can concoct a ritual that can break the
barrier and free himself (and possibly other Vestiges)
through the body of the champion.
Traits
Khirad needs a spellcaster for his ritual, preferably a
wizard or sorcerer, as long as they display scholarly
intelligence he will be interested.
It is feasible Khirad could approach and even tempt
Mordenkainen if he wasn't feebleminded. Khirad is not evil
in the sense like other creatures, but neither is he
interested in forming pacts. It is a means to an end for him.
Lure
Khirad will impose a strong sense of mutual trust upon
their target, promising a share in their knowledge and
protection. They may promise in particular access to the
truth of whichever topic the target wishes to know about,
and the tools to discern future truths for themselves, as he
can.
Scheme
Khirad will provide instructions on how to extract and
imprison Vampyr from Strahd, which could potentially be
done without seeing Strahd dead. Once this is done, his
own champion can oust Strahd and take control. After
which he can begin work on opening the way without
interruption, a ritual which will take several days to prepare
and cast.
Manifestation
Reality distorts and you feel a tingling sensation around
you.. a sense of silence comes over the party as if people
are afraid to say too much.. distrust seeps into your mind..
is it mere caution, or perhaps the gaze of Khirad?
If Khirad appears, he does so in a strange pattern of light
and geometric figures, including strange runes - or if
anything he might appear as an impossible exotic creature
tattooed with these runes, something unseen by the party
before. He is and should be a mystery in all aspects.
Within the Ethereal, the projection of Khirad is seldom
encountered. It does not wander nor glide, but merely
appears where it wishes to be, a collection of runes and
magic, seemingly defying reality wherever it is, which
distorts arounds it. It does not seem to be interested in
souls or Shadow Demons, though both flee it.
Khirad boons
Stages of commitment
Stage 1: Revelations of Khirad begins to flood
the champions mind, they start to see things
for what they are. They may now cast Detect
Magic once per short rest, and See Invisibility
once per long rest.
Stage 2: Further revelations by Khirad comes
to the champion. They may now also cast
Scrying once per long rest and may once per
session ask Khirad one question in secret,
that the DM may answer as they wish. Khirad
may also actively choose to reveal the
location of artifacts pertaining to other
Vestiges.
Stage 3: The champion gains access to even
more of Khirads knowledge, and gain +2
Intelligence and +2 Wisdom, this may exceed
the normal 20 limit. Additionally, they gain
knowledge of the imprisonment ritual of
Vampyr, as detailed in appendix B.
At this stage the champion's body is truly
becoming a mimicry of Khirad. Their body
seems to be covered in patches of glowing
runes, that shift when the eye meets them. If
a character other than Khirad attempts to read
them, they speak in eldritch gibberish, and
the DM may roll on the madness table to
assign a temporary effect to them.
Artifacts, override or provide locations as
necessary.
Circlet of Truth: This circlet is made in an
unknown material of sapphire blue. It seems
to change size to fit any creature it is placed
upon. While worn, a creature cannot
deliberately lie or conceal truth, by means
other than silence. Additionally, any creature
that wears this may cast Zone of Truth (DC:
14) centered on themselves. If worn by the
champion, this DC increases to 16, and they
may during this activation also cast Detect
Thoughts. When activated, it glows softly.
Ward of Secrets: This orange glyph may be
inscribed on any surface, leaving its current
host, as a bonus action, and will when coming
into touch with a creature attach itself to
them instead. When worn by a creature they
are immune to any effects that would read
their mind or discern their location.
Additionally, if used by the champion it also
protect them against charm effects.
Gemstone of Reflection: This clear gemstone
seems to distort the environment when
peered through. When used it gives the eerie
feelign that something is amiss, as if there is
doubt about which reality is truly real. The
wielder of this gemstone gains a +1
Perception bonus from possession of this
gemstone, and can use this once a day to cast
Blur, this comes into effect in the way that
reality seems to distort around the user.

The story of Yrrga
In the wilderlands a group of adventurers discovered a
hidden sanctum shrouded in shifting shadows, after the
skies had darkened unexpectantly above outlying villages.
The sanctum guarded by visions of madness and creatures
of the underdark. The adventurers attempted to investigate
this sanctum and were fortunately joined by a servant of
Shar, that led them through the darkness. Inside they
fought their way into a ritual chamber, where cultists were
performing incantations of summoning, attempting to draw
a dark being into the world, to inhabit a willing host in the
middle.
The host, a young woman, looked terrified as the shadows
started to encroach on her body, twisting along it and
blinding her eyes. Yrrga was taking her into possession.
The party decided to do everything they could to interrupt
the ritual, and though they had losses and their bard lost
their sanity, they managed to cause the ritual to fail and the
host was released.
It was thought to be the end, but only 50 years later, a black
tower garnered infamy, as sacrifices to Yrrga had begun
and yet another host was prepared for inhabitance. This
time it was the Order of the Gauntlet that marched against
the cult, but this time Yrrga did rise in a material form, and
it took not only their order, but reinforcements from the
archmages' enclave to pierce the darkness that fell with
Yrrga's coming, and quell the madness that came with it.
The binding
Many texts and artifacts were found in the Black Tower and
the original adventurers from the hidden sanctum had long
ago delivered artifacts of old into the care of the followers
of Shar. It was all gathered and transported to the Amber
Temple with haste.
The magi ignited mage lights, candles and what else they
could find, and otherwise braced themselves and their
minds for what was to come. Then they began the ritual
and as they drew Yrrga towards them, light was indeed
banished from the temple, slowly but inevitably. From the
dark recesses of the temple and beneath closed doors,
crept shadows and illusions against the magi. Screams of
old enemies, laugther of mania and demons of the mind
began assaulting them, and to aid them they had their
magic and intellect, the latter being dimished slowly by the
visions. They had even enchanted instruments to play
calming music to counter the fear against them, but in the
darkness it became discordant and haunting.
The magi lost track of time in the ritual, but they were
willful and experienced, and with noone being able to tell
how many hours they had spent, the binding was complete
and the darkness and mania evaporated in a near-instant.
But the darkness had taken its toll on the magi, and it was
by the grace of Lathander's and Lliira's servants that the
depressed and skittish magi were restored to their selves
again.
After the mists fell
Yrrga surveyed the realm surrounding her, touching the
mists with her mind. She was the Eye of Shadows, caller of
the void, the first voice of darkness. This.. was not her
place. She would call the void to this realm, she would
engulf it in darkness and await the word of her masters.
Yrrga spoke to Khirad, attempted to probe their secrets and
coax them into cooperation, but Khirad did not respond
and they were protected. Yrrga glided as a shadow to
Savnok instead, and found them to be.. chaotic. Unreliable.
Yrrga instead decided to make her own plans.
She observed the machinations of Vampyr and their
relationship with Strahd. The parasitic nature of Vampyr
was appaling to her, and as the years went by she saw the
true suffering of Strahd and his cursed existence. She
realized that to end his curse, was to wrest away Vampyr's
dominion and pave the way for her own.
She set to work finding a faithful.
The first champion
The Barovians of the valley became despondent over the
years after Strahd's curse, many began sought the
teachings of the Morninglord, praying and fostering a hope
that a morning might come. But some among them had a
more cynical outlook, that things would never change, and
that they had to find help elsewhere.
Yrrga sought out one such person. Sirin Varkovich was a
young woman who had lost everything that she held dear,
family, love and what prosperity her family used to have,
first to disease, then to adultery, then to conspiring
neighbors. She was left to fend for herself on the street and
the mercy of kinder people. But she was so distraught that
she ran into the woods, to let the wolves eat her.
Here, Yrrga whispered to her. Of means and ends, of
revenge and the coming of the release. About the void and
its many gifts, and the evaporation of sorrow. Yrrga knew
well how to speak to fear and the dark thoughts of humans,
and she indeed gained a follower. In return for their
service, Sirin was promised revenge against her lost love
and those neighbors that wronged her.
Sirin came to her former lover in the night, a dagger in her
hands. She found him with the one he scorned her for, and
she took it as a sign. They would not part for her.. not even
in death. Her tear fell on his lifeless body as she left. In her
family home she found that a new family had moved in, and
she stood outside for a long time, pondering the darkness.
As she entering the house she simply let the darkness take
its course. Soon enough she heard the screams from the
children that woke into living nightmares, the parents
scrambling to find their kids among all the other voices
they heard and then.. blessed silence.
For a year she wandered Barovia, doing Yrrga's bidding,
until she found her way to Ravenloft. Simply walking in
without invitation, she took to the throneroom to await an
audience. Strahd listened to the proposal she put forth, to
end his curse and take his place. He ended her with his
sword, and whispered into her ear: "Not just yet."
Yrrga, Eye of Shadows
Yrrga represents nihilism and the eventual descend into the
cold void that awaits all. She will want to usher the void
into Barovia and turn it into a bastion for the enigmatic
beyond.
Vision
Yrrga is not impulsive or emotional like her rivals, he sees
Barovia as a land of true shadows and void, where magic
can be applied for opening the door into the darkness
beyond. In her vision, her champion sits in quiet
meditation, contemplating and dreaming of the void, and
through her power those dreams shall become reality. The
living beings may stay, may fight, whatever they wish. Their
end is inevitable and their struggle inconsequential.
Traits
She looks for anyone who is tired of deception, tired of
power struggles or of life itself. Those with the insight to
see how truly senseless it all is and who just wants silence.
Lure
She grants truesight to her follower so they may see the
depravity of it all. She will share her vision of a quiet
mountaintop where the champion sits in meditation staring
into a darkness, but the feeling will be neither fear or
hatred, but peaceful acceptance.
Scheme
Yrrga suspects that Strahd longs for an end to it all. She
will grant the player a way to temporarily expel Vampyr
from Strahds body when he is sufficiently damaged. Then
with The Enemy, the PC can offer Strahd oblivion and
release, which Strahd must accept willingly. If he does,
Strahd and his entire soul is consumed by void, and
Vampyr will be free but without form to be dealt with.
Manifestation
When shadows gather and critters flee, when your voice
sticks to your throat scared to delve beyond.. when the
world seems to grow smaller around you and the campfire
fails to repel the fears.. that is when Yrrga may be among
you.
Yrrga appears as a collection of shadows gliding into a form
of a vaguely humanoid shape, her voice hoarse but
unmistakable.
In the Ethereal, Yrrga's projection appears as a cloud of
living darkness, moving slow at first but able to envelop a
creature with incredible speed. Within this darkness, one
might see the telltale Eye of Yrrga, manifesting itself and
staring at the creature it has caught within it.
Yrrga boons
Stages of commitment
Stage 1: The champion is granted the ability
to cast Darkness once per long rest,
additionally they gain +1 Dexterity or +1
Intelligence, as they prefer.
Stage 2: The champion is now enshrouded in
a thin shadowy veil that seem to dance along
their body. The first attack against the
champion each combat has disadvantage.
Addittionally, the champion may once per
long rest condense these shadows to cast the
spell Shield. This shroud seems to extend up
to a feet from the champion, and only gives
shifting visions of their true features and
posture, making attacks difficult.
Stage 3: The champion can now
extend/retract the radius of the shrouded
darkness by 5 feet pr round as a free action,
up to a maximum of 15 feet. Within this
radius the champion has truesight, advantage
on Stealth(Dexterity) checks, advantage on
attacks against surprised creatures. As a
bonus action once per long rest, the
champion may invoke the silence of the void
within the darkness: all creatures except in
the darkness except the champion are
Silenced, as per the spell Silence.
Artifacts, override or provide locations as
necessary.
The Enemy: This steel dagger(+2) is adorned
with silver at the handle. It seems to tune in
with the shadows around it, it deals magic
damage. If this champion strikes a foe within
range of a Darkness effect, it deals an
additional 1d6 magical piercing damage. If
this is wielded by the champion, the character
may use the Shadow Step ability an addtional
time each long rest.
Shroud of Yrrga: This black shroud hangs
loosely around the shoulders. When attuned
with this, the bearer becomes more and more
emotionless and gloomy over time. When
worn, they user may once per long rest
disappear in a melting of shadow around their
form, making them unable to act or be acted
upon until returning again at the start of their
next round. If this is donned by the
champion, they gain +1 Dexterity as they feel
the air become easier to push through.
Tiara of the Deep: This silver tiara has a black
opal at its centre, swirling with darkness.
Upon donning this artifact, its wearer receives
the following flaw: 'I do not enjoy food or
drink, it tastes only bitter to me. Life is
growing bitter to me.' The wearers
Intelligence score is increased by +1 and they
may once per day as a bonus action change
their position with that of an ally within 30
feet. If the ally is unwilling they must succeed
on a Wisdom saving throw against the
wearers spell save DC.

The story of Taar Haak
Taar Haak was a Dao of immense greed and a passion for
war and pillaging. He gathered beneath him an army of
enslaved giants, bound elementals and brigands of every
race and type, who shared his passion and greed. These he
formed into soldiers, not proud or loyal, but effective and
obedient, and from world to world he travelled, waging war
and stealing whatever he would find. Citadels, castles and
walls would be betrayed by the very earth it stood on and
his host would pour over the remains like a sandstorm.
As time went on, he rose to be something more than a
mere Dao, his greed for the material diminishing as his
greed for divine recognition and authority became rised. He
sought dark powers to transform him into more than he
was, and offered his services in war for a hundred years, in
return.
This service would take him against ever more powerful
enemies, and see him command ever more fear inspiring
creatures until his campaign against a subrealm of Mount
Celestia itself, came to an end. His being now divine in
nature, would have been reformed by his masters, if not he
could be bound in time. Azuth, offered the services of the
Amber Temple, and among their possessions, those which
he held most dear were transported to the temple, to aid in
the binding.
The binding
As the binding neared its half-way point, the mountain itself
began to shake with fury in periodic bursts, causing gravel
and dust to fall and cracks to form. It was as if Taar Haak
himself was ordering the rock to intercede on his behalf,
and it willingly listened.
The magi feared for their lives, even their magic could not
hold up a mountain, reinforced by magic though the temple
was. They hastened to restore broken wards and some
even attempted to bind earthen elementals to aid in the
efforts. But that would prove a costly mistake, as the
elementals themselves seemed to obey the call of Taar
Haak, and soon turned on their former masters breaking
upon the walls like waves upon the sand.
The aid came from an unexpected ally, as the mountain
tribes gathered to calm the mountain, with offerings, song
and dance. Their rituals, though primitive to the magi, were
known to the mountain and it worked, slowly, to counteract
Taar Haak's word.
But still, as Taar Haak was finally drawn close and the
ritual near complete, he rendered from the earth a mighty
elemental, to force itself upon the gates of the Amber
Temple. The battle was long and hard, for it proved
resistant to many of their spells. But as the ritual
completed and the binders sighed a breath of relief and
exhaustion, the mighty elemental crumbled to dust, and
Taar Haak, was bound.
After the mists fell
Taar Haak rumbled within his sarcophagi, and he spoke
loudly to the other Vestiges that would listen, demanding
answers, demanding release and glorifying his own
existence as it once was. As he found himself speaking to
deaf ears, he set about to survey the battlefield before him.
His existence as a spiritual entity was odd to him, weird
even. His powers were strong, he knew this, but how he
could use them for his own cause was yet a mystery. He
looked upon this mountain valley and saw the opportunities
it held, but what he did not see was soldiers fighting for his
cause, or mortals scurrying to his new prison to beg his
attention and favor.
The notion of luring mortals to his service, he felt was
demeaning to him. For a long time, his preferred approach
was a vision to the lowly mortals, appearing in fearful
might and demanding their service, while promising an
eventual reward. This was sometimes effective, but none of
the stock was truly worthy of any investment from his side,
he found. His greed extended to what little favor he could
invest, and he decided that he would this time go for quality
over quantity.
The first champion
What he truly needed was a warrior, someone who could
share in his passion and amass power to break his prison
asunder. His search led him to a mountain dwarf that had
come through the mists, Dolbus Irontooth, a simple
soldier but with a brave heart. It was he who Taar Haak
revealed his glory to, fashioning a great dwarven vault in
their dreams and speaking of value and strength.
Dolbus was lost in this land, and for all his bravery he was
uncertain and uncomfortable, and quite alone among all
these humans. Taar Haak represented a pillar of strength,
and Dolbus was eager to find something to cling to. As he
did, he found that the rewards bolstered him greatly, as
promised. His muscles trembled and grew, his heart
became steel and he boldly trod through the lands in a
pursuit of wealth and to build an army.
What spelled the end of Dolbus was his greed. As he came
to the lands of the werewolves, he had heard of the lost
treasures in their cave, treaures dedicated to mother Night
but that he would claim for Taar Haak. He was not a fool
though, and had coaxed some hungry peasants to serve
him to draw the werewolves out and away from the cave,
expecting their numbers to be few.
When they came out, Dolbus used his new mastery over
earth to move in. But the keen senses of werewolves
smelled the distict dwarven aroma that was suddenly near.
When Dolbus came out again, he found that the
werewolves had not gone far, and though he flattened
several snouts, he fell and Taar Haak was again alone.
Taar Haak, Destroyer
A Dao that rose to power through pillaging, conquest and
greed, Taar Haak sees this land as another conquest and is
eager to find a champion to channel his strength and thirst
for riches.
Vision
To see the spoils of Barovia collected under his champion,
to be freed from his prison and to subdue every individual
in the valley to his rule.
Traits
Taar Haak has been a leader to many and can see the
potential in a variety of classes, however on the basest level
he will look for strength and brutishness. He is the type
that buys loyalty and comes down hard on lack of such
from his lackeys.
Lure
Like a pushy personal trainer, he will offer to help
transform their bodies, promise spoils of war and a share
in his mastery over earth. He can promise to lead them to
the hidden wealth of Barovia and let them share in it.
Taar Haak does know about both the vault in the Amber
Temple and Strahd's personal one, being attracted to it like
a moth to a flame... potentially he can lead a man to other
riches as well.
Scheme
Strength is enough. No scheme is necessary, if he hides in
his castle it will be broken down. If he hides in a coffin it
will be crashed against the floor. If he tries to fight back, his
arms will be torn off.
Manifestation
Slight tremors in the ground below.. the surge of
adrenaline within your blood and the calling of soldiers
from old memories.. subconsciously reaching for your
purse and a desire to feel the wealth you have acquired..
might all be signs that you have won Taar Haak's interest.
When appearing to mortals, Taar Haak will want to display
himself as strong and imposing, taking on the visage of
perhaps a great tribal warrior from the mountains, or one
of the many mercenaries in his ancient throng.
In the Ethereal his projection appears as a great Dao,
larger and more grim than those seen in his native plane,
his body covered with faded jewels and rusted coin.
Taar Haak boons
Stages of commitment
Stage 1: The champion gains an immediate
boost of +2 Strength, as well as the trait 'I like
to bully people'.
Stage 2: The champions' skull hardens almost
stonelike. They can now Ram (or Headbutt)
an opponent (prof+strength) for
2d8+Strength damage. If the champion
moves 15 feet in a straight line before
performing this attack, they may incur a DC
13 Str check on the target, which if failed will
knock them Prone. Additionally, once per
long rest the champion can cast Maximillian's
Earthen Grasp.
Stage 3: The champion becomes even more
attuned to earth and can now once per long
rest cast the spells Meld into Stone, Wall of
Sand and Stone Shape. Additionally, the
champion gains +10 maximum hp.
Artifacts, override or provide locations as
necessary.
The Fist of Taar Haak: This single gauntlet of
black steel requires 16 Strength to wield. It
can be used in melee as a weapon(+2) and
deals 1d8+Strength magical bludgeoning
damage. If worn by the champion, it instead
deals 2d8+Strength magical bludgeoning
damage, and the target must succeed on a
Constitution save against the attack or be
pushed back 10 feet, if the wielder chooses.
Jewel of the Destroyer: This brown gemstone
levitates around the head of whoever has
possession of it. It can be used as a focus for
evocation spells, increasing its damage dice
by one (ie from 4d4 to 5d4) if it is a single-
target spell. If worn by the champion, it also
allows them to cast Earth Tremor once per
short rest.
Earthen Warhammer: This heavy, black
warhammer (+1) is emblazoned with veins of
mithril, which seems to crackle with energy
when swung. It delivers magic damage. In the
hands of the champion it can be used upon
the pillarstone of Ravenloft five times in five
actions to cause a shattering earthquake, as
per the scheme. It is in the Rocs' nest at Mt.
Ghakis

The story of Yog
Yog originally lived in the Feywilds, among the first Satyr to
dance in its glades and entertain the trees with his
fluteplay. He lived a blessed existence, travelling the lands,
entertaining at the Fey courts and seeing wonders that
mortals could not dream of.
But his blessed existence came to a halt when a region of
the Feywilds were besieged by a horde of demons, and he
himself was captured. For many years he was tortured, a
plaything to a demon prince, and all the while his Fey form
was twisted into a cruel reflection of what it used to be.
Yog's spirit darkened with each passing year, memories of
bliss losing meaning for him and thoughts or depravity and
dark desires clouded his mind. When there was nothing
more to do to him, the demon lord released him into the
material world, to spread chaos as he pleased.
The beauty that was once dear to him became a source of
hate, and his twisted form could find no rest, though he
now had the power to alter it himself. His body became an
ever-changing tapestry, of monstrous features. Yog came to
loathe beauty, and through forests, glades, villages and
towns, he destroyed all of it he could find.
His rampage had to come to end, so it was agreed by the
gods of the lands, and it did so in a surprising manner. The
Chalice of Milil, was a troupe of musicians and bards
devoted to the god of the same name, bound to bring his
music to distant lands. Yog came upon them, intent on
destroying their beautiful instruments and break their
bodies. But the musicians scrambled as they saw his form
approach from afar, and as if by divine inspiration their
music halted him. Their tones, dulled his senses and
quenched his rage, eventually giving him a sleep he had
been denied for so long. And for three days the musicians
played, until aid came.. and they kept playing as his form
was brought to the Amber Temple.
The binding
The binding proceeded to the tune of music, as all feared
that the rage of Yog should emerge again if ever he should
wake. But as the binding proceeded, a part of Yog began to
fight back against it and his will manifested itself. The
tones of the instruments began to grow discordant and the
forms of some musicians began to twist in agony,
mimicking his own mutationous nature, sprouting
monsterous features.
The muscians whose forms had so been twisted, threw
down their instruments and became slaves to mania,
flailing and attacking their fellows and the magi, causing
much chaos. The few remaining musicians could do
nothing to aid their comrades, for they knew they had to
continue playing, lest Yog should truly awaken. They
watched as the magi were attacked by these monsterous
artists and were forced to respond in kind with their magic.
The casualties mounted among the magi and musicians,
but at long last the form of Yog evaporated as the last of his
being was siphoned into his amber sarcophagi, and quiet
was finally welcome yet again.
After the mists fell
Yog had for a moment found rest, laid dormant within his
sarcophagi he heard only the music of his own mind,
precious memories of the bards that soothed him. But the
tones grew discordant to him, and he found himself in a
loathful but lucid state, and through the many years he
pondered his fate. What he had become, and more
importantly, who was to blame.
He came to several conclusions on that front. His Fey
masters in their lofty courts that failed to safeguard their
lands, and to rescue him. The demon prince, obviously,
who had done this. And the mortals that neither tried or
seemed interested in returning him to his native lands so
that perhaps they could help him.
The longer he festered in his prison, the more loathsome
he grew with the world around him and he determined to
escape and get his revenge. Like the other Vestiges though,
he realised that he would need mortal hands to aid him.
The first champion
Yog's avatar wandered the lands, spending days at certain
areas just to study the nature through the Ethereal, some
small part of him finding comfort in it. He had no patience
for Shadow Demons, and was ruthless if they disturbed
him and got caught in his clutches. He came upon a
farmstead in the southern part of Berez, where he lingered
for a while. He saw how a young man, Niel Paratov was
scorned by the woman he loved, due to his malformed and
sagging face. Yog saw with disgust how the weakling cried
in pity for himself and decided to intervene.
He spoke to the young man, about matters of beauty and
love, about the hypocracy of goodness, how it was not to be
found for those who needed it most, and the sad life that
awaited the man without love, popularity or prosperity. The
young man listened to Yog, and sure enough he began to
grow frustrated with life and the unfairness of it all. He
beseeched Yog to help him become more, to show him the
way. And Yog provided.
The man found himself stronger and more agile, and as
time went on he found himself drawn to the wilds and the
freedom to be found. No rejections here, no false smiles
and comforting words, in the wild it was simply survival
and Niel was good at it.
For months the man lived in nature, gradually getting
attuned to Yog and being included in the festering rage that
Yog felt. He became accustomed to the gifts Yog offered,
seeing him transformed with ever more wonderous
features of the wilds. But when the time came to fight for
Yog against Strahd, in order to claim dominion, Niel waited
in ambush for the lord upon the Barovian road, jumping at
him with claws and mandibles.
Strahd was surprised true, but he was not about to fall to a
monster and responded in kind with his own claws and
fangs, tearing into Niel's flesh, eventually ending him after
seeing his pale skin torn open and his clothes ruined. Yog
would reincarnate Niel twice more, and twice more would
he fail.
Yog the Cursed
A satyr twisted and cursed by demonic torture, Yog was
imprisoned after a rampage sparked by the loss of
everything he held dear in his soul. He seeks freedom and
he seeks revenge.
Vision
Yog does not wish to stay in Barovia, but he does not have
the knowledge to escape, he will rule only until he figures
out how to convince Khirad, who he suspects knows more
than it lets on. Until this time Barovia will change
according to his champions' wishes, monsters will be more
numerous and new breeds of monsters might be spawned
in the dark recesses of the valley.
Traits
Yog looks for adapability, perseverance and defiance in a
champion, he abhors beauty, for it reminds him of what he
lost. He believes he can work with anyone, but in truth his
preferred champion is one who can dominate the
battlefield physically.
Lure
He promises whatever he feels will speak to them, he
doesn't care about their rulership, as long as he is free to
pursue his own escape through them. He may even go
ahead and promise them that he will make sure their next
death wont be their last.
Scheme
He favors a strategic plan against Strahd and tactical
adaptation once they are inside the castle where they will
find his coffin and destroy the body.
He will occasionally provide advice on a given situation, but
only if he respects the champions previous choices and
their disposition towards the rest of the party. Yog is
convinced that the party is an asset, only to be discarded at
the end.
Manifestation
A sorrowful melody plays at the back of your mind.. the
forest seems to grow more gloomy and damp, while critters
quiet their movements to listen. Perhaps it is imagination..
or perhaps it is Yog treading near.
When appearing to mortals, Yog might take the form of a
satyr or a man of the wilds, a druid at first glance. But this
lasts only as long as he can keep his patience, and might
quickly transform into something more monstrous.
When appearing in the Ethereal, Yog's projection walks
around on two great legs, a satyr with protruding horns and
dark twisted form. He may be seen grappling a shadow
demon in his great hands, siphoning its power into himself.
His eyes yellow and unblinking, his voice condescending
and mocking to all that hear it.
Yog boons
Stages of commitment
Stage 1: The champion gains +1 Dexterity and
+1 Strength as their body seems to naturally
become more adept, sleek and strong.
Additionally they become more in tune with
nature, gaining advantage on animal handling
and survival checks.
Stage 2: The champion gets the ability, to
adapt their body slightly, gaining access to
various features. They may once per short rest
roll a d6 and gain the corresponding feature
from appendix C 'Adaptations of Yog, Beast'.
This feature disappears after 10 minutes. Yog
twists their form until the feature fits them.
Stage 3: The champion now gains two
features whenever they uses their adaptation
ability from Stage 2. Additionally, they now
roll a d12 and can so gain features from the
Monstrosity table as well.
Special: Whenever a champion of Yog dies,
they are reincarnated somewhere (at the DMs
discretion) in a new shape. Their mental stats
are reduced by one, but their physical stats
are increased by one. This continues until Yog
loses all faith in their champion, at which
time they will devour their soul.
Artifacts, override or provide locations as
necessary.
Armband of the Monster: This armband grants
its wearer the ability to cast Speak with
Animals once per long rest, and confers a
circumstantial +2 to Animal Handling checks.
If the wearer is the champion, they may retain
one additional feature from their
transformations.
Flute of the Cursed Fey: This flute appears to
be made of bone and flesh, and it creates a
discordant and sorrowful sound. When
played, all beasts within a 30ft range must
either flee or beat a DC 12 Wisdom save to
remain. If the champion of Yog plays this, it
doesn't sound disharmoneous, and if they
play it for more than 10 minutes, they may
roll a d100. On a 75 or higher they attract a
random (or DM chosen) terrain-fitting beast,
that will serve them for 1d4 hours.

The story of Vaund
Vaund was a mortal man, an assassin and infiltrator, who
attained divine status through completing a long and
ardeous trial set up by a more chaotic yet powerful entity
beyond. The quests this rogue had to complete ranged from
shearing the sheep of a resident of Mt. Celestia, to stealing
coins from the Nine Hells in the guise of a hag.
In his new divine status he recruited and harnessed the
talents of others in operations against other Gods; thefts,
kidnappings, extortion and the detoriation of faith in
civilization. Vaund himself made the plans, others
completed them. He made many enemies this way, several
of which were patrons of the Amber Temple and allies of
Azuth, but managed to keep his identity hidden by working
through his agents and never revealing himself to them.
This continued until his overconfidence made him
personnally test his abilities against Cyric, and be captured.
Cyric learned many things from Vaund's capture, including
their name and such required to bind him, which he sold to
Azuth for a future favor. While he sold this to Azuth, he also
sold Vaund his freedom back, to the ire of Azuth.
The binding
A young apprentice had arrived to take her place among
the future magi of the Amber Temple. The young woman
was charming and became quick friends with her peers
and none thought much about her. As the day of binding
came, she took her place among the other apprentices to
observe, learn and be ready for anything the situation
might necessitate.
The apprentices stood at attention and scryed for any
changes in the material or unseen world beyond, expecting
Vaund's presence to be known at any minute. But an odd
string of coincidences delayed the ritual; a chandelier fell
upon the floor near a binder, an elder suddenly clutched
their heart and called for aid and vital components were
found to be missing.
The new apprentice was not suspected, her role had been
so well performed that all considered her eager but
untalented, witty but not wise, pretty but unremarkable.
During the ritual few eyes followed her, and fewer still
realised her designs.
An apprentice finally understood the connection after a
spark of suspicion and alerted the protectors of the temple.
She would not be caught easily however, and slipped into
the shadows, sparking a chase throughout the ancient
halls. As Vaund drew near, the infiltrator seemed more
agile and evading, as if the shadows clung to her and
protected her movements and location. The chase
culminated in her final attempt at preventing the ritual. She
determined to detonate a make-shift explosive, bought
expensively for this exact purpose and difficult to properly
use.
It was only a swift wall of force spell that managed to shield
the binders from the blast, the proceeding rubble and the
remains of those not quick enough to protect themselves.
The apprentice disappeared after the detonation, but
Vaund was bound. The other apprentices often whispered
that Vaund had taken her with him as punishment.
After the mists fell
Vaund was quick to understand the role he had to play
among these other Vestiges, and from the movements of
others he concluded that his best bet was to form an agent
of his own on the material plane.
Before he truly searched for such an agent, he played an
agent of his own and observed the other Vestiges efforts
and movements. From this he learned some useful
information about these Barovians and more so about his
supposed peers.
Among them he found little kinship, each being foreign and
dispicable to him. Truthfully he felt he did not belong in this
company at all, but he found some respect for Savnok and
Drizlash at least, but nothing more than respect.
The first champion
Vaund sought his first champion not very long after the
mists fell, before Strahd had cemented his new existence
and found himself scorned by his people. It was best to find
a champion close to Strahd, he figured, someone who could
provide eyes inside Ravenloft.
He approached a servant at Ravenloft, René Facalier
whose exotic family had come to the Zarovich family
several generations ago. He had served well under the
father and had found himself in a precarious position of
confidence with the son, enough to spare him from Strahds
initial rage after his transformation and Tatyana's death. He
had slowly and carefully returned to his duties and was
impious enough to turn a blind eye to the masters peculiar
new.. tastes.
Such a man was adequate for Vaund's requirements, used
to moving unseen, in the masters confidence and
scrupulous enough to navigate changing circumstances,
however it was required. Vaund set to work slowly
approaching René's mind about a partnership of sorts. He
gave René just a taste of his power, and René who had
never tasted power before, gave himself over for more. Just
as expected.
René's ambition saw him on a path over the next many
years, always ready to serve the master, and slowly rising
further in his confidence taking over duties around the
castle and taking charge of new personnel. This often by
arranging certain accidents for rivals. The more loyal
Rahadin was still the dominant force in the castle's
management, but as he was often away on errands and in
the company of the master, René found himself in exactly
the position that Vaund had promised him.
But René got greedy, as one tends to do and he determined
to break into Rahadin's office to find something he could
use to usurp his position, or simply eliminate him. He left
no clues, no trace, yet when Rahadin returned he found
himself backed up against a wall, a blade to his throat.. and
soon after confessing his plans.
The next time René opened his eyes, he had the pleasure of
experiencing what it was like to die inside your own coffin.
Vaund the Evasive
A human risen to divinity, Vaund earned his place through
patience, careful planning and expert execution of
subterfuge operations. A counterpart in some aspects to
Savnok and priding himself on understanding the bigger
picture, he will bite his time and mold a character into a
perfect agent.
Vision
If Vaund attains supremacy, Barovia would become more
numerous in its inhabitants and his champion would be
among the people. Governments would rise, but always in
the shadows would be his champion - unknown,
unknowable. Vaund will look for ways to partner with other
powers, such as Khirad to find a way out for himself,
though still keeping his champion vigilant for any emerging
rivals.
He is interested in escaping sure, and that would be an
issue in itself. But that is something for the long haul.
Dominion is the first step.
Traits
Vaund is attracted to characters who know how to
manipulate others, how to avoid suspicion and move
unseen or with confidence among enemies. Bards and
rogues are often of interest to him, as they often need to
manipulate others perception of themselves.
Lure
He offers to help the character conceal themselves and
their party from the scrying and knowledge of Strahd, as
well as giving individual gifts to the character that might
help them move unseen and retain anonymity.
Scheme
Vaund will favor understanding Strahds assets and
disrupting them one by one. Taking out Rahadin, Baba
Lysaga, his brides. Stepping out of the shadows, remove
the asset and then return to the shadows. He favors
securing assets himself, knowledge, etc. If he figures out
how to attain dominion of Barovia without too great
personal risk, he will favor it. Otherwise, stay in the
shadows and bide their time.
Manifestation
Senses of calm and calculation falls upon you.. the path
forward is difficult but not impossible. The world has eyes
true, but what they see is up to you. If they wish to watch,
perhaps a disguise should be employed. At least until the
eyes can be blinded. If these are thoughts that run through
your heard, perhaps Vaund is near you. But it would be
difficult to know for certain.
Vaund may choose to appear to mortals, if he does it would
be as a classic high-level rogue human. Comprised, leather-
bound, dangerous and masked.
Within the Ethereal, Vaund is the most 'normal' looking of
all the Vestiges, simply walking about like a human, usually
in Vallaki. Shadow demons sometimes make the mistake of
thinking him a wayward soul. They only do so once.
Vaunds boons
Stages of commitment
Stage 1: Vaund confers evasion upon his
champion, as per the Ring of evasion.
Additionally, his champion now becomes
immune to effects to discern their location.
Other peoples gazes seem to more easily
leave the champion.
Stage 2: Vaund inspires acting intuition in the
champion, granting them advantage on all
Deception checks to pass off as someone or
something else. Additionally, the champion
gains the ability to, as a reaction once per
long rest, negate an attack. When they do
this, their form seems to fade into shadow,
and they must choose another spot within 15
feet where they reappear. This does not
provoke attack of opportunity.
Stage 3: The champion may use their reaction
as described in Stage 2 one additional time
per long rest. In addition, they may cast
Greater Invisibility once per long rest. The
champion may now also let their party be
affected by their protection from location
discerning, as long as the members stay
within 15 feet of the champion.
Artifacts, override or provide locations as
necessary.
Mask of Vaund: This mask seems to be of
simple adhesive cloth, but when donned on
the face it seems to turn into shadow and be
absorbed by the head, leaving a slight
discoloration around the eyes. A creature this
is equipped on will gain the ability to cast
alter self once per long rest, as well as +1
deception, as they seem to naturally become
better at making the right expression to
support their words. If the champion is
wearing this, they may instead cast alter self
once per short rest and gain +2 deception.
Cape of Shadows: When wearing this cape, the
shadows seem to more easily cling to its
wearer providing a +2 on stealth rolls. If this
is worn by the champion, they may as an
action hide themselves within it, becoming
invisible. Any action that relies on movement
will break this invisibility and give away their
location. If the cape becomes dirtied, it
magically cleans itself after 10 minutes.

The story of Seriach
Seriach was a devil, a taskmaster who knew well how to
apply the whip and sear the fear of Asmodeus into the flesh
of his underlings. His ambition and ruthless drive soon
found him competing with greater devils, and had him on a
path to even greater favor with his superiors. That all
changed when Asmodeus himself called him to his court
for a special mission. Seriach obeyed. He had little choice.
But in his mind he couldn't shake the feeling that he had
done something to warrant a punishment, and this was a
convoluted way to deliver it. Before he left, Asmodeus saw
fit to grant a gift of power to Seriach, transforming him to a
true greater devil.
He was sent on a raid to Ylnar Kaz, a demiplane that was
quite literally in the process of falling apart, as its ruler had
lost their status and power, and could no longer maintain it.
Seriach arrived with his hellhounds and a host of other
devils, charged with venturing to the core of the demiplane
to recover an artifact of great power. On his path he met
little opposition, save for the various traps and obstacles
that had been placed by the owner long ago.
But as he reached the core of the demiplane, he found the
orb surrounded by a small army of celestial dwarves, led by
a planetar in the service of Helm. Seriach would have
abandoned the mission, but Asmodeus had been very clear
in his wording. Failure, was not an option. Seriach would
have to engage them, and so he gave his orders.
It was a lost battle from the start, and Seriach felt the bitter
taste of defeat, and in his mind he was once again
convinced that this was all planned from the beginning,
that Asmodeus had ordered him into a trap.
The planetar took Seriach captive and communed with
their master. It was decided; Seriach would go to the
Amber Temple. But before they left the demiplane, an
vision appeared before the devil and the planetar both of
Asmodeus. The Lord of Lies berated Seriach for his failure
and sentenced him to imprisonment for being audacius
enough to fail a direct order, until he had proved himself.
Seriach fumed with hatred! How had Asmodeus heard so
fast, had it not been planned all along!? Under his breath,
he swore vengeance against this betrayal.
The binding
The binding proceeded without incident and remarkably
fast. He was bound to the bones of his defeated Hell
Hounds, which were transported to the temple. The magi
cautiously raised their wards and performed the binding
ritual, all the while expecting some sort of calamity. But
none occured, and they breathed a sigh of relief.
But the matter was still a source of great debate among the
scholars. It had become known that Seriach had been
sentenced to imprisonment, but why would Asmodeus not
make a claim to foresee the punishment himself? From all
the learned scholars knew, there was nothing that hindered
Asmodeus from doing this. Would this then have been a
purposeful move from him, to plant a devil in the Amber
Temple? Did he plan something unknown, or was this sort
of an elaborate scheme for something completely different?
After the mists fell
Seriach had long attempted to understand the rationale in
Asmodeus' designs, without truly accepting any answer he
came up with. Asmodeus had said that he would be
'imprisoned until he had proved himself'. Then, how could
he prove himself, if he was imprisoned?
The fall of Strahd and the apparent schemes of the other
Vestiges, convinced him that perhaps this was a way to
prove himself? Was this Asmodeus' plan then, to have him
wrest control of this insignificant little plane? Had he
somehow foreseen the fall of the mists?
Thoughts churned within Seriach, but his course of action
was inescapable no matter how he looked at it. He would
have to compete with the other Vestiges to prove himself in
the eyes of Asmodeus and in order to make this miserable
existence a little more bearable.
The first champion
Seriach had not been a very succesful negotiator in the
past, often being impatient or rushing to conclusions. But
he was still a devil, and if that's how he had to approach the
matter, then so be it.
He found desparate souls across Barovia, mothers silently
praying for the death of abusive husbands, men praying for
the strength to kill other men, and young people wanting to
wield magic of their very own for a variety of reasons, love,
vengeance or lust for power. He could see the opportunity
for an industrious devil, but had to curtail himself from
investing in someone unworthy. No, what he needed was
someone who could grow to be a threat, a champion.
He eventually found a hunter, Tyrk Manokov, who had
already treaded upon the dark path of murder. Tyrk had
eliminated a rival hunter, who had won both fame and the
heart of Tyrk's intended. It was not a difficult murder to
commit, all Tyrk had to do was plant an arrow in their back
and leave them for the wolves.
Seriarch saw potential, and began haunting Tyrks' dreams,
feeding his ambition with dreams of even more fame, of
becoming a slayer of Strahds' monsters, of Strahd himself,
a hero of Barovia. All he had to do was accept a little help..
Tyrk was initially awarded an imp, one of the devils that
had been stranded on this side of the mists, and had
subsequently been claimed by Seriach. Useful creatures,
Seriach knew, to assure the continued corruption of
mortals. Tyrk was then sent on a journey in Barovia to
improve his abilities as a hunter and learn devilish magic
and rituals.
On his long journey he committed many acts of evil under
the guidance of his imp familiar, and was thusly rewarded
as his soul grew more and more attuned to the will of
Seriach.
The champion met his doom too soon however, as he met
with an adventuring party having arrived from the mists.
He attempted to deceive the party and steal their treasures
in the night, but was caught in the act and consequently
executed and left unburied. Seriach was appalled at his
champions overconfidence and foolishness. He awaited
Tyrk's soul in the Ethereal..
Seriach, the Hell Hound
Whisperer
Seriach is a devil who was possibly sent on an intentinol
suicide mission by Asmodeus, only to be imprisoned in the
Amber Temple, seemingly as punishment for failing this
mission. Seriach is vexxed as to what he did to deserve this
betrayal, and has convinced himself that the falling of the
mists and his being in Barovia is all part of a long scheme
of Asmodeus' to test him.
Vision
Seriach will see Barovia transformed into an infernal-esque
landscape under the laws and customs of the infernal
hierarchy, expecting to validate himself in the eyes of
Asmodeus himself. He will take control of the afterlife of
Barovia and capture souls to twist into lemures, and
eventually into devils. He will establish cults dedicated to
himself (and by extension Asmodeus), expecting to
eventually find a way to contact his superiors outside.
Traits
He prefers hunters or other mortals that on some level
remind him of himself, spellcasters are useful to him, but
he feels inferior when it comes to magic. He will look for
traits relating to domination, bullying, hunting and
ambition.
Lure
Seriach will offer his deal in true devil fashion, trying to
form an actual contract and demanding servitude as ruler
of Barovia, until a time when another worthy can take their
place, such as their heir.
Scheme
Seriarch believes himself stronger than Vampyr, and does
not care whether Vampyr becomes imprisoned or not, he
will encourage his champion to take the fight to Strahd and
chew him out.
It is Seriarchs hope and scheme that his champion will
come to embrace the rewards-based nature of the infernal
hierarchy, reaching the third stage represents Seriarch
trusting that the champion indeed has done so.
Manifestation
Strange warmth seem to rise from the ground.. the
footprints of a lost dog.. a strange pile of ashes and the
smell of sulfur upon the wind.. a fast-fleeting sensation of
being stalked by something. Hopefully nothing.. likely
Seriarch
When appearing to mortals, Seriarch will usually take the
guise of a hunter or even be blunt and appear as a classic
devil if he feels the mortal is reasonable enough.
Within the Ethereal, Seriarch appears as a great fiendish
devil, huge in proportions holding a wicked whip. He
usually has a shadow demon or two in his thrall which he
uses to capture souls for his consumption.
Seriachs boons
Levels of boons offered
Stage 1: Seriach confers an imp familiar on his
champion, who also learns to speak infernal.
The champion gains the ability to cast Hellish
Rebuke once per long rest.
Stage 2: Seriach confers a Death Dog to serve
the champion. It appears in a (controlled)
inferno of smoke and fire, obeying every
command of the champion to the best of its
ability, until it dies.
Stage 3: The champion grows a pair of horns
and their skin sizzles as Seriach transforms
them painfully, a reward for their service. They
receive three attribute points to distribute as
they like and may castTasha's Hideous
Laugther once per long rest, and resistance to
fire. They are now considered Devilkind, half-
fiends. Let your player describe in detail the
cosmetic features of their new form. Their
Death Dog transforms into a Hell Hound,
serving in the same manner.
Special: If the champion should fall in stage 2,
Seriarch may if satisfied with their service,
offer to reincarnate them into Devilkin and
move them to stage 3. I
Special 2: Should the Death Dog or Hell
Hound die, the champion may resummon it
by letting its skull(s) rest in a blazing campfire
for one hour.
Artifacts, override or provide locations as
necessary.
The whip of Yolanda: This black whip(+2) used
to belong to a Succubus that entertained in
Vallaki. It deals magical piercing damage on a
hit. Whenever this lands a critical strike, the
target takes 1d6 extra fire damage and must
succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom save or be
Frightened until the end of the wielders next
turn. If this is used by the champion, the crit-
range is increased to 19-20, and the extra fire
damage is instead +1d10.
Tyrks Breastplate: This red-hued breastplate
used to belong to a champion of the infernal
forces. It is adorned with a depiction of a
chained man. The wearer of this breastplate
may twice a day as a reaction have flames
erupt from the breastplate at a melee
attacker, imposing a DC 14 Dexterity save,
dealing 2d8 fire damage on a failure, or half
as much on a successful save. If worn by the
champion, the DC increases to 15 and the
damage increases to 3d8 fire damage.

The story of Tenebrous
Before the construction of the Amber Temple, Tenebrous
was a dedicated friend and student under Azuth himself,
being embroiled in understanding the nature of souls and
their path the body to the afterlife. As his studies
progressed, Azuth grew more and more concerned with
Tenebrous' frame of mind and his rash attempts at
unraveling the cosmic designs.
Eventually, Tenebrous was ejected from the patronage of
Azuth and was sternly forbidden from continuing his
studies in the school of necromancy. Tenebrous was as
furious as Azuth was disappointed, and he swore that one
day, he would return!
He disappeared, and for a long time Azuth invested much
effort in tracking his movements, until suddenly he could
not. He was not sure what had happened to his old friend,
but as the years went by he became convinced that he must
have died and moved on.
But after the construction of the Amber Temple and several
of the first Vestiges had been bound to it, Tenebrous
appeared, clad in an elegant robe and with a powerful staff,
accompanied by two cold-eyed wizards, his apprentices.
His skin was ragged, his bones exposed and his gaze
leering. He had attained lichdom, and as the magi
scrambled to meet him, they found themselves terrorized
by what they saw. Tenebrous declared that he would take
this temple for his own, that any who did not immediately
renounce Azuth would die in his name, and to show his
power, he caused a barrage of small meteors to beat upon
the temple, breaking one of the statues.
Fear had truly gripped the keepers of the temple, but only
few of them met Tenebrous demands and renounced Azuth
in their panic. He allowed them to leave, but the others
stood their ground and beseeched Azuth to come aid them.
Tenebrous attacked and a great battle ensued outside the
temple and inside it as well. Tenebrous employed all his
necromatic mastery and corrupted the bodies of the magi.
From the crypts below, the ancient dead rose to join the
fray and the commotion was great.
As the avatar of Azuth arrived, the battle was skewed to
Tenebrous favor and the two masters engaged in a duel
that would determine the fate of the temple. It was not a
given that Azuth would win, for Tenebrous had studies his
old masters' capabilities well, and his new form had
granted him mastery in a way Azuth could not understand.
But, in the end Azuth was victorious, though Tenebrous
laughed mockingly, knowing that his body would eventually
reform, something Azuth did not know.
The binding
Azuth ordered a binding to commence at once, and the
remaining magi, without rest, scrambled to obey.
The soul of Tenebrous was partly stored in his phylactery
far away, but the reemainder was absorbed in the amber
sarcophagi, causing a split between them, and giving rise to
another Tenebrous, far away and unaware of what his
failure had wrought.
After the mists fell
Tenebrous studied the mists closely, intricately. He
understood it, atleast its function, but it escaped him where
it came from or how it was designed. It was quite certainly
bound to the power of spirits, being sourced from.. the
Barovians themselves? The sarcophagi of the temples?
Strahd? Tenebrous wondered..
He had not noted any difference in his sarcophagi, aside
from the wards losing their power without the keepers to
empower them, so he did not think it was somehow linked
to the Vestiges. Strahd was just one soul, powerful though
it was becoming. There were many Barovians true, but
could they truly empower a mist that cannot be penetrated
by neither arcane nor divine magic? Hardly.
The thoughts continued within his mind, some being
marked for further analysis, others discarded one after
another. He paid attention to the developments in the land,
but mostly he paid attention to Khirad. He understood that
this being, enigmatic and unknown even to him, was..
different, and harbored certain secrets. He determined to
acquire those secrets for himself when possible.
The first champion
The arrival of Exethanter was a boon to Tenebrous, the first
true magi to set foot in the temple since the death of the
keepers and even better, Exethanter sought Tenebrous out.
It was not a chance meeting, that would be an
understatement. It was almost destined, though Tenebrous
was not fond of such terms.
The two quickly came to an understanding. Tenebrous did
not immediately reveal his history to Exethanter, and
Exethanter did not immediately bind himself to the dark
entity. They were both paranoid about the other, but could
also sense opportunity in a partnership. Time went on, and
as they continued communications, they began to form
their working relationship, Exethanter carefully discussing
terms and accepting Tenebrous' presence inside him.
As Exethanter achieved lichdom like his master, Tenebrous
was delighted to see him progress, but he noted that
crucial error that caused Exethanter's rapid decline of
memory. It grinded on Tenebrous as a failing, and he set his
champion on devising a spell to reverse the damage. But it
was clear that Exethanter was in no state of mind to
developa new spell from scratch, even for his own sake.
The only other spellcaster with the mastery to do this was
Strahd, and Tenebrous knew that Vampyr recognized
Exethanter as a rival and would never allow Strahd to
dedicate himself to this.
In all the years since then, Tenebrous has festered with his
champion in the temple. Sometimes trying to attract a new
champion to invest just enough knowledge in to free
Exethanter, but never truly finding anyone with the aptitude
to deserve his attention.
Tenebrous
Tenebrous sees the mastery of the arcane as the only
worthy goal, his very existence is devoted to this cause and
he demands nothing less of his servants.
Vision
Tenebrous sees a Barovia that in many ways mimic the
eigth layer of Hell, Cania, in which arcane experiments are
continually conducted with those without the aptitude for
such being the test-subjects. His champion shall rule as the
master of the arcane in his name. Barovia is secluded to
his liking, if there ever comes a need to break the barriers,
such will not be an issue with the arcane might that his
champion will have gained after centuries of study.
Traits
Tenebrous is attracted to those with patience, cool,
mastermind-esque analytical abilties, ideas for the long
game. Liches are his favored type of creature, due to their
willingness to sacrifice themselves to break the rules. He
will only accept spell-casters as his champions.
Lure
Immortality is one of his gifts, secrets of magic untold, and
absolute dominion above all. He cannot use those that do
not have the mind to appreciate this future and will gladly
break the minds of those unworthy that dare approach him.
Scheme
Tenebrous already have a champion in the form of
Exethanter, despite his loss of memory. He is patient
enough to simply suffer a truce with Strahd, until such a
time that his champion has garnered all knowledge of the
temple and is ready to take dominion. If anyone seeks
Tenebrous blessing, he will instruct them to prove
themselves against Exethanter first.
Manifestation
A strange sensation of power course through the veins of
nearby spellcasters.. a strange sense of clarity to the world
around you, thoughts of mathemtics, connections and
possible butterfly-effects from actions.. a cool wind through
the hair. Perhaps nothing, perhaps Tenebrous' presence.
When appearing to mortals, Tenebrous appears as an
imposing and confident archmage, his living self. He
ignores in entirety non-spellcasters or even hushes them.
Within the Ethereal, Tenebrous' projection is that of a lich,
terrible and cursed.
Tenebrous boons
Stages of commitment
Stage 1: Tenebrous grants their champion
arcane insight, providing advantage on arcana
checks and +1 Intelligence. Additionally, they
may choose two spells from the wizard spell-
list of level 1 or lower, that they now
permanently know and may cast once per
long rest.
Stage 2: The champion gains the ability
'Arcane Experiment' - whenever they cast a
spell from the wizard spell-list, they may
attempt a DC: 20 Arcana check. If they
succeed they may instead cast a spell from
the wizard spell-list one level higher than they
attempted to. If they fail, roll on the 'Arcane
Mishap' table in Appendix C.
Stage 3: Tenebrous has given the champion
the knowledge and means to create a
phylactery as per the Lich creature.
Additionally the character gains +1
Intelligence and any spell they can cast is
considered to be on the wizard spell-list, for
the purposes of Stage 2.
Artifacts, override or provide locations as
necessary.
Staff of Arcane Might: This silver staff is
imbued with arcane power, which crackles
across it menacingly from time to time. It has
6 charges and regains 1d6 at dawn. It can be
used in the following way, using the casters
spell-save DC:
1 charge: Cast Chromatic Orb
2 charges: Cast Levitate
3 charges: Cast Fireball
If this staff is wielded by the champion, they
may additionally cast the following:
3 charges: Cast Dimension Door
5 charges: Cast Telekinesis
Phylactery: This red crystal forms in the
champions possession and allows them to
store part of their soul inside, through a ritual
that takes 2 hours to complete. After
completing this, the character becomes a
lich.
Lich
The lich is considered undead. It gains no regeneration, but
will upon destruction reform 24 hours later near their
phylactery, unless this is destroyed.
As a melee spell-attack (Dexterity+proficiency) the
champion may touch a living creature dealing 2d6 cold
damage and imposing a DC 12 Constitution save. If the
creature fails this, they are paralyzed for up to one minute.
The creature may repeat the save at the end of their turn.
Whenever a creature beats this DC, they become immune to
this paralysis for the next 24 hours.
Turn Resistance - the lich has advantage on any saves
against Turn Undead effects.

The story of Norganas
In the great cosmos, there are beings opposed to the gods
who see their use of souls as parasitic and evil. Their
realms of afterlife are nothing more than batteries to their
divine power, and these supposed 'gods' keep their faithful
in continual ignorance about the true matter of things.
Norganas was one such being, one who wanted to bring
the cycle designed by the gods to an end. To this end he
gathered many enigmatic beings of void and arcane under
his sway, and set them to work on a great soulengine. The
design was not simple by any means, but conceptually it
would disrupt the way the Ethereal siphoned the soul from
a living body, instead letting the soul rest with it. With this,
the mortals would no longer be mortal in the same sense,
and the power of their souls would stay within their realm,
to be harnessed not by gods, but the mortals themselves.
This would take time, but in the end.. the gods would fall. At
least, this was what he promised to those entities that
joined his cause. But as the first prototype was ready to be
deployed on the material realm, Norganas found himself
betrayed and his coming was foretold among the mortals,
who had been indoctrinated to favor the machinations of
the gods.
Norganas would not yield however, and he continually
forced his minions through the gate to the material plane,
until finally he grew impatient and joined the gray himself
in the strongest form he could bring. His form took the
shape of a deformed animal with hooked talons, piercing
red eyes and great claws. This was no time for beauty and
presentation, this was war.
The casualities were many among the mortals. Servants
from many orders and faiths had been mustered to repel
the host of Norganas, united for a common purpose. The
strength of the mortals and their gods prevailed, and
Norganas faced defeat. His mortal coil was killed and with
it the gate collapsed behind him.
The binding
Norganas was connected to his form, haven shapen it by
his own will. Though he escaped into the Ethereal, the
mortals had something to call him with besides his name.
But even his name, they had, for the Gods feared him and
provided it after their own investigations.
They called him to the temple, invoked his name and
brought him ever close. The magi were surrounded by
guardians of different faiths, here to safeguard the binders
and report back to their masters. As Norganas neared, the
mortals felt his strong presence, as if their very souls had a
heavy weight placed upon them, one which increased
minute after minute, hour after hour, until in the end the
mortals of the temple began to tremble and fall to their
knees, not in supplication but in pain.
The healers of had to scramble to aid the binders, the
devout called upon their gods to bolster their spirits and
the magi found themselves grasping for answers and
watching the weaker among them fall dead under the
weight. Until, at long last, the binding completed and the
weight was lifted.
After the mists fell
Norganas looked upon his fellow Vestiges, bound as he. He
saw again the touch of conniving, controling gods. The
divine hypocracy of it all seared into his mind and now
being the source of his prison. The mists were a puzzle to
him, but for now it was not the primary concern. That
would be escape.
Among the other Vestiges he recognized only Yrrga, for
they were of the void and their goals were not entirely
unaligned with Norganas, different though their
philosophies might be. Khirad was a curiosity to Norganas
as well, he recognized some of their being, their enigmatic
nature. Had he seen it before? Could he place the origin
somewhere in the cosmos.. It was a another puzzle, but
one he found he couldn't solve.
The first champion
As it became clear to Norganas like the other Vestiges what
he had to do, he despised the thought. The notion of using
mortals like this, to offer them power in return for
servitude was against everything he had worked for, and for
many years he tried alternatives. He sought cooperation
among the Vestiges, a banding together of their power to
pierce one sarcophagi, exchange of knowledge or the joint
elevation of a mortal, but found no solid ground for such.
Those among him were either unwilling, unwaivering in
their demands or plain not trustworthy to Norganas.
He surrendered himself to the thought of using mortals to
the end of releasing himself only, and spent long searching
for one who could even begin to channel his power.
The object of his attention was father Petrov Krezovich, a
spiritual leader who had no true faith in the Morninglord,
but whose birth and status, coupled with parental pressure
had brought him into this way of life. In truth, he was
cynical and distrustful of gods, seeing as they had already
failed his people in ths past and was continually failing
them in the present. How ironic that Norganas had to put
his faith in a faithless.
Norganas came to the priest in visions as a man himself,
but spoke to him as an equal. He explained his intentions,
he explained his imprisonment, he even explained exactly
what afterlife had in store for the priest and his fellow
Barovians. The revelations frightened the priest, as well it
should, and they began to discuss the solution Norganas
had in mind. Never did he lie or conceal the truth, for
Norganas was in the right he was certain, and it was in the
best interest of mortals to align themselves with him.
Petrov listened and accepted Norganas solution. What else
could he do? His fate was written, doomed to a cycle of
rebirth and suffering. Norganas was a true savior of
humanity, and Petrov had the honor of being his partner in
the revolution of souls.
For years they worked to complete the engine, many of
which were spent versing Petrov in the matters of magic.
But before they could ignite it, Saint Markovia had risen to
a station of prominence and favor among the people, and
she discovered the engine without understanding its
purpose. She didn't listen, but rallied the people to seal it in
and bring Petrov to execution for his heresy. Norganas
could not stop them.
Norganas, Finger of
Oblivion
Norganas will want to truly distrupt the cycle of existence,
tearing down the barrier between the ethereal plane and
the material.
Vision
Norganas sees a future where there is no true disparency
between living and dead. Necromancers are not needed,
when the dead exist on their own volition. In his Barovia,
the soul wont leave the flesh, but rather the flesh will be
empowered by animation magic to move as well, with his
champion dominant above all. Mortals will finally be free of
the torture of afterlife, they will finally have a say in the
movements of their own soul.
Traits
Norganas believes himself to be a savior and enemy of the
gods. He will be attracted to truth, apathy, atheistic
tendencies, arcane proficiency, rational thinking and aa
cavalier attitude towards necromancy.
Lure
Norganas will speak of the torture of the endless cycle that
awaits the Barovians, and speculate on tearing down the
forces that see them to the afterlife. He does not believe in
having to lie to gain the allegiance of mortals. Afterlife is
torture, he will be their release.
Scheme
If the Soulbinder can be deployed so that Strahd dies, truly
dies, within its range, then the pact will be broken and his
vampirism will evaporate, but Strahd will be trapped in his
body to be healed. Norganas believes that Strahd, once free,
will aid the players in binding Vampyr, as he was just a
pawn in a long game played by the gods.
Manifestation
Impossibility, unfairness and mortality, these thoughts
might invade your waking mind in the presence of
Norganas. You may find yourself scratches your skin just to
contemplate the pain, or biting your lips subconsciously
ruminating the matter of your soul. Is it protected in your
body, or is it trapped?
Norganas prefers to appear as a regular man to people, a
scholar, engaging them in discussion hoping to find a
philosophical equal.
In the Ethereal, Norganas' projection is that of a
gargantuan eldritch being floating through the lands
covered in writhing tendrils, shadow and eyes. A strange
mixture of body, mind and soul, and most certainly
disquieting to look at.
Norganas boons
Stages of commitment
Stage 1: Norganas grants their champion the
ability to cast Arms of Hadar once per long
rest. Additionally they gain +1 Wisdom.
Stage 2: The champion can now perform a
special ritual to preserve the soul in the
corpse of a recently dead. When they do this,
the corpse is considered preserved for the
purposes of being raised but the body will
still decay. In this manner they can prevent a
soul from entering the cycle. They can
maintain this ritual on corpses equal to their
wisdom modifier. Additionally, the character
gains advantage on religion checks.
Stage 3: The champion gains the ability to
cast the spell Finger of Death once. They may
restore this ability after three long rests.
Artifacts, override or provide locations as
necessary.
Staff of the Risen: When this boney staff
attunes to a creature, the creature gains the
trait 'I feel a strange connection with the
dead. The soulless corpses do not seem to
bother me.' This staff can cast and maintain
the Animate Dead spell. It regains this ability
after each long rest. If this is wielded by the
champion, they may personally maintain and
additional 3 zombies as per their boon effect.
Additionally, one of those zombies may be a
ghoul.
Engine of the Soulbinder: This black
construction seems to be a mass of
convoluted mechanisms as complex as the
very form of Norganas itself. It emanates dark
energy and seems to seep the happiness of
nearby creatures, dealing 6 necrotic damage
to all living creatures in a 30ft radius every
minute. This engine is heavy and requires a
DC 14 strength check to move. It can be
deployed with a joint DC 26 religion and DC
26 arcana check, and is then effective in a
1000 ft radius dealing 1 necrotic damage
every hour, in which creatures that die will be
reanimated as conscious zombies after one
hour of death. Creatures reanimated in this
way can only be truly destroyed if their bodies
are incinerated, or dismembered. This engines
area of effect grows slowly to encompass
Barovia itself after a year. If this engine is
operated by the champion, they intuitively
know how to deploy it. It can be destroyed
with a DC 24 Strength check, and stopped
with a DC 24 Religion or DC 24 Arcana
check.

The story of Zhudun
In the sourthern nation of Marizabon the people had long
been under the rule of a strictly doctrined theorocracy. The
people were conformed under the church of Zhudun, a god
who they believed held dominion over every individual's
fate, and whose priests had the authority to decide the
proper caste of a person. This had shaped the nation into a
caste-system in which the majority of the people lived in
fear, ignorance and servitude.
But as with all tyranic governments, there were groups that
tried to rise up against the ruling class and such a group
happened to find success during the height of the Amber
Temple's success. The group known as 'The Broken Chain'
gained support from neighboring nations and attracted the
service of powerful or passionate adventurers, who heeded
the call against tyranny. They fought their way to the high
priest of Zhudun, a Naga in human form, and engaged him.
Zhudun was known both for his foresight and witching
rituals, and it was no simple matter to defeat the high
priest. Corpses of faithful rose from their graves to defend
their master, spiritual animals were called into being and
the soldiers of the high priest seemed to fight beyond their
death.
But the rebels attained victory, and as they did the word
spread across the land. The people rose up against the
priests of their communities at the same time, stretching
Zhuduns waning power thin across his domain. The corpse
of the Naga and its royal regalia was brought to the Amber
Temple in haste, lest the Naga should rise again.
The binding
As Zhudun was busy trying to empower his faithful to
reclaim Marizabon, wards and glyphs were prepared in the
temple, and the binding began. Zhudun felt the calling and
commanded his priests to counter-act it, but he found that
many he had thought loyal, were quickly turning their backs
on him.
When his being came to the temple, his roar could be hear
among the mountain, almost as a rolling landslide. He did
the only thing he could do as he drew near, and possessed
the body of the Naga, his most faithful servant throughout
his reign. The Naga's form was twisted by his entering it,
into a monstrous image, it's wings blackened, its scales
taking on hues of acid green and mud brown, and its face
contorting in a most horrible fashion.
He engaged the magi, but found himself restrained by
various wards the magi had prepared in advance, but still
he was dangerous and his divine magic tore at the spirits of
the magi, severely disrupting and delaying the ritual. As his
form was grasped by an amber golem and his magic was
broken from their minds, he breathed a curse onto the
magi: "For this you shall pay, I have tasted your souls! Bind
me for a thousand years, but when I escape you will all be
mine!"
When the binding was finally complete, there was little
celebration, for even with all the wards of Zhudun in place,
many magi felt a shiver run along their spines whenever
they remembered his words.
After the mists fell
*Zhudun took his time to understand the traditions of the
Barovians, planning to play upon these and slowly insert
his own doctrine through whatever servants he could
attract. The other Vestiges as he came to know them were
to him rather uncivilized. They had not truly ruled their
own nations and had existed on the fear of cults and
outcast. True, his own church had started as a cult, but he
knew the finesse and force to transform it to something
more.
Of particular interest to him was Zantras, Kingmaker. Here
was another Vestige who had actually maintained a proper
church, and Zantras himself seemed to exhibit the same
patience as Zhudun, though his preferences were more
concerned with bloodlines and martial prowess than
Zhudun cared for. Still, he toyed with the idea of forming a
temporary partnership..
The first champion
As Zhudun laid his plans, he sought out a Barovian to
spearhead the rise of his cult. It was important to him that
this was indeed a Barovian with a strong knowledge of the
traditions and customs of the land, one who could instill
trust in their fellows but also had the guile necessary to
avoid suspicion.
He found this champion on the outskirts of Vallaki. A man
named Azek Rizovich, who lived in squalor with his family,
but harbored a strong spirit and a drive for providing a
better life for his family. Zhudun came to him in visions,
carefully planned over several months, in which he gave the
man small rituals to perform and as a reward gave him
access to divine powers. Soon the rituals became
something to share with his family, then his trusted friends,
and for each person who joined, he would show them a feat
of divine providence.
It was not revealed to him yet, who his benefactor was, that
was to be a reward onto itself. Zhudun had learned that
mortals craved mystery, craved a certain measure of
distance to maintain their illusions. When finally he did
reveal himself, it was in a hazy dream, with only a vague
outline of a blessed being.
As time went on, members of the cult fell to illness,
accidents and old age, children aged and lovers married.
These milestones in the cultists life were significant and
had to be addressed by Azek, and rituals to Zhudun
became first complementary to those of the Morninglord
and since the preferred. The cult had for a long time
remained largely anonymous, and Azek was becoming
more and more confident in his use of his given divine
magic, the rituals which Zhudun had revealed to him, and
Zhudun himself was growing confident in Azek as well. In
time, they would take over Vallaki. In time, they would take
over Barovia.
The cult had reached a fellowship of 34 members across
various families, when calamity struck. Vampyr knew of the
Vestiges of course, but their designs was not known to him
nor Strahd, yet as Strahd came to Vallaki in the guise of a
Berezian noble, he heard rumors of the cult. Positive
rumors true, but particular nonetheless. He decided to
investigate it, and through some delightfully novel
interrogation techniques, he learned of Azek, who soon
after received a fateful and very personal audience.
Zhudun, corpse star
A God who ruled supreme in a theocratic society, brought
low by rebellion and the aid of foreign powers, Zhudun has
experience bringing a cult into power. His strength lies in
rituals which he share with his faithful.
Vision
To see his church rise again, this time in Barovia, to
implement a caste system of theological oppression and to
see his champion rise to be celebrated as a prophet and
high priest. The spirit of Barovia shall be awakened, as it
once was, but it shall shine brigther.
Traits
He is attracted to ambition, the ability to lead, charm and
convince others, self-righteousness, fanaticism and classes
familiar with rituals. Characters with genuine interest in
tradition and religion will easily attract him.
Lure
Zhudun will prefer to appear in visions where he presents
himself as a good entity, offering small rewards like
inspiration for small rituals or quests. He knows that
induction must happen slowly and organically, and will try
not to rush things if he can avoid it. His main lure is the
promise of a method to rid Strahd of his vampirism, albeit
only temporary, but long enough for action.
Scheme
Zhudun sees the opportunity for a faster resolution that the
rest of the party presents against Strahd. He will encourage
the champion to seek out and gather the regalia of the high
priest, then engage in the ritual of binding for Vampyr, even
before Strahd is defeated in order to make Strahd mortal
again.
Should the champion succeed in gathering the Sacred
Skull and the Robes of the High Priest, they will need to
bring it to one of the churches and conduct a one hour
ritual to prepare the spell, then lure Strahd there and finish
the ritual over 5 rounds with Strahd in the vicinity. If they
succeed, the skull will siphon Strahd's power, temporarily
holding it and turning Strahd mortal.
The skull can only hold Strahd's power for 1 day, after
which it will flow back to him. They must slay him in this
time. He is still a spellcaster and accomplished warrior.
Manifestation
Haunting instruments plays at the back of your mind, but
disappear when you divert attention to them.. a strange
sense of grandeour and thoughts of an ancient temple..
perhaps even a word that forms from your tongue and lips..
Zhudun.
Zhudun appears usually as a creature of good, such as an
innocent looking priest, healer or pilgrim.
In the Ethereal, Zhudun's projection is that of a tiki-like god-
priest, adorned with wilted once-colorful feathers in a great
headress, moving with strange jaunting limbs, eyes white
and skin darkened.
Zhudun's boons
Levels of boons offered
Stage 1: Zhudun grants the champion divine
insight and a glimpse into the truth of things.
They may once per day attempt to beseech
Zhudun to answer a query, their chance of
receiving an answer is equal to their level x 3.
Stage 2: Zhudun stores divine power in his
champion, granting them two spells from the
cleric spell list of third level or lower each
dawn, which the champion can cast as
normal. These two spells are chosen by the
champion and may not have a component
cost of 100gp or more. Wisdom is the
spellcasting attribute for these spells.
Stage 3: Zhudun grants his champion the
ritual to raise the ancient dead, as per the
resurrection spell but without a time
restriction on the death of the target.
Special: From stage one, the character
additionally gets access to the following
rituals
The Veiled Corpse: By placing a veil
over the face of a recently dead, they
will magically be preserved. For one
minute after the veil is first placed, the
champion may cast Speak with Dead
on the target. Only one corpse can be
preserved in this way at a time.
Servant of Zhudun: Through a four hour
ritual where the champion chants
before a corpse of a humanoid, they
may raise a dimwitted servant to
follow simple commands. Use the
Zombie statblock for this. Only one
zombie may be raised at a time in this
manner. The zombie will stop
functioning and fall limb if it comes
more than 60 feet away from its
master.
Artifacts, override or provide locations as
necessary.
Robes of the High Priest: These robes are
splendidly colored in red, blue and green,
feathers decorating the shoulders. It provides
its wearer +1 AC. When worn by the
champion, they may once per long rest cast
the spell Life Transference. It is currently
hidden away in a closet in Argynvostholt's
chapel.
The Sacred Skull: This skull has two emeralds
inserted into its sockets and a ruby inserted
into its forehead. The gems radiate dim light
and sometimes makes the skull appear to be
observing its surroundings. If the bearer of
the skull is not a champion of Zhudun or a
faithful of his, they will at the end of each day
suffer one point of exhaustion. If the skull is
carried by the champion, they gain +1 on all
spell-casting modifiers and spell-save DCs. It
is currently present in the Amber Temple's
tomb.

The story of Mother
Night
Barovia was a new conquest and as the followers of the
Morninglord and mother Night settled in the valley and
spread their religion, mother Night and her young but
much loved son came as well. It was truly a beautiful valley,
and here their followers would need their guidance.
Mother Night delighted in seeing her son so excited on
behalf of the Barovians. He was maturing well, and he took
after his father in many aspects of his being. She often
missed his father, but he was heeding his calling seeing to
the justice of the dead. Something she too took seriously,
and their child had learned to cherish as well.
She knew of the temple, how could they not? Isolated and
hidden from so many, but its presence was tainted with evil
and she feared for her still young son, revered though he
was among the mortals of her homeland, and now here.
She even feared for her own being, should she come too
close.
In the formative years of Barovia, before the mists fell,
mother Night and the Morninglord travelled together,
spending most of their time on the Outer Planes, but
finding themselves attracted to the material plane often,
being still minor gods with - in the grand scheme - few
followers to speak of.
It was then unfortunate that they should be present, when
Vampyr finally claimed Strahds soul and the mists fell
around Barovia.
The Escape
Mother Night had no true foreknowledge of the fall of
Strahd. She had spoken with Kelemvor and been warned
not to tread near, or allow her son to, but the machinations
of the wards of the Amber Temple were not revealed to her.
Was the mists a safeguard by Azuth? Was it something
else?
She had not the time to determine it, the only thing in her
mind was the safety of her son. She mustered her power in
desperation and attempted to push him far away into the
lands beyond. This was unheard of, but so great was her
love and at this time her magic, that she ejected her son,
another God in his own right, from Barovia before the
mists fell.
But this left her weakened, too weakened to escape herself.
She watched tearfully as her son disappeared to safety. She
smiled at the knowledge that she had saved him, even if
she only had a vague understanding of just how dire her
situation was.
In the following years she experienced the Ethereal
transform into a nightmare. Avatars of the Vestiges,
projections really, began to wander, accompanied by
Shadow Demons and though she engaged them at first to
protect the souls of her people, she found herself forced to
flee before them more often than not.
After the mists fell
Mother Night wandered the lands, searching for an escape
and avoiding the shadows that had come alive. She was
versed in magic, her entire faith was built around her
dominion of rituals, spells and knowledge. The mysteries of
the night were accorded to her, but..
Nothing came to her. No passage was revealed by her
power, no answers were accorded her. It was just.. a barrier
beyond anything she had seen before. She found herself
growing more and more despondent, and she began to
miss her son terribly. The years went by, and his absence
tore at her mind. And worse yet, she saw how the souls of
the Barovians were abused by the Vestiges and their
minions. She attempted to stop them, often she succeeded
against the demons, but.. she could not keep them. There
was nowhere for them to go.
Mother Night had no choice but to escort the souls she
saved around the Ethereal, constantly trying to hide them
and keep them safe, but never was it truly so. Her
entourage became a feast, and the demons grew bolder
and more hungry for the essence of those under her
protection, until eventually they fell upon them. And as they
did, she was forced to flee once again.
Her frustrations were released upon those faithful who
turned their backs on her. She needed all the help she
could get, even if it became increasingly difficult for her to
provide the magic her servants were used to. When the
followers in her sanctum began to raid it for treasures,
believing her to be dead, she finally lost her patience and in
rage cast the curse of lychanthropy upon the faithless,
forcing them into exile from civilization. She would later
regret this, but her pride and shame mixed together into a
resolution; that the curse would not be broken, until the
ungrateful and unfaithful had restored her faith in Barovia.
Work of mother Night
Though mother Night could not communicate with the
other planes, she had some means of reassurance, as she
saw the servants of her son retain their faith and
sometimes also small parts of his power. As time went by
she also learned certain things from adventurers that
came, scraps of knowledge really about the state of gods.
Kelemvor, Azuth and the others knew of the fall of the
amber temple of course, but what she learned was that
their servants rarely did. Was it still a secret, the fate of
Barovia?
It disheartened her to realise this. If they had abandoned
Barovia, her fate was sealed. If they were merely trying to
find a way in, how long would she have to wait until she
could see her son again? Ten years, a century, a millenium?
She had nothing to do but continue trying to save souls
long enough for reincarnation. The faith of her son
remained active, and she was intertwined with that faith so
there were still people in Barovia who put their trust in her
to protect the women during childbirth, bring their souls to
the Morninglord for judgement and oversee matters of
magic and mysticism. She had to persevere, for him. For
them.
Mother Night
Mother Night is, non-canonically, the mother of the
Morninglord, but when the barriers fell around Barovia she
cast her son out of the lands, dooming herself to a longing
solitude towards her beloved kin, and she has fallen into an
odd self-imposed distancing towards the living, instead
spending her time attempting, in vain, to save as many
souls as she can from the parasitic nature of the Shadow
Demons. This occupation and emotional state has left her
distanced from the living, and she has lost many of her
devoted followers over the years, leaving only a handful of
devotees.
Vision
Mother Night wants Barovia saved, the barriers broken and
to reunite with her beloved son, the Morninglord. If the
players can somehow reach her, she will confer upon them
the knowledge she has, and possibly confess her loneliness
and depressive situation.
Approaching her
I created a single NPC to act as liaison to the party, she
was named Melissa and was a rather mysterious woman
wearing a purple shawl. She led the party to a forgotten
altar beneath the Wachter crypt in the Vallakian graveyard.
Here she led a seance to invoke a vision of Mother Night.
Mother Night did appear and conversed with the players for
10 minutes, answering their questions and relaying to them
the existence of the Vestiges and the names of some of
them. If a PC professes their faith in her and pledges their
loyalty, she may accept them as champion. She only has the
power to support one champion, and will in case of
multiple applicants choose the most seemingly honorable.
Scheme
Mother Night understand the importance of Tatyanas soul
in the curse of the land and she has reached a terrible
conclusion, that indeed the only way to save Barovia is
remove the soul itself from Vampyrs possession. If the
players seem interested in this, she will try to find a way to
help them into the Ethereal, so they can retrieve the soul
after Ireenas death.
Manifestation
A strange sense of hope seems to find its way into your
soul. Hope and.. grief, sorrow.. it's strange. The faint tinkle
of stars, calmness of darkness.. mother Night is near and
you should feel blessed.
Mother Night appears the same in both realms, a beautiful
mother dressed in a robe reminiscient of the night,
adorned with truesilver jewelry and having a constnat
expression of concern, faint hope and sorrow on her face.
Within the Ethereal, she may be found wandering the
domain.. seeking out the lost or discarded remants of souls,
bringing them to her hidden sanctuary, scaring off demons
on the way.
Mother Night boons
Levels of boons offered
Stage 1: Mother Night will grant her
champion the ability to cast Moonbeam once
per long rest. Her champion will gradually
begin to feel inklings of her grief. They gain
the trait 'Whenever I see children, I feel an
echo of sadness and longing'
Stage 2: Mother Night is starting to have
confidence in her champion. She will further
grant them the ability to cast Pass without a
Trace once per long rest. Additionally, she will
bestow +1 Wisdom upon the champion.
Stage 3: Mother Night will once in the game
respond to a devout prayer by the champion,
reacting in a manner befitting a Divine
Intervention from the cleric class. The manner
of this intervention is up to DM discretion.
Additionally, the Tear of the Night will appear
in the champions possession.
Artifacts, override or provide locations as
necessary.
Tear of the Night: This small bright blue crystal
is held by a intricate silver chain, serving as a
necklace. When worn, it passively provides
protection in the form of +1 AC and confers
advantage on saving throws against spells
from the enchantment school of magic and
enchantment-like effects, such as a vampires
charm. If worn by the champion, this
advantage instead becomes immunity to that
school of magic.
Moonblade: This greatsword(+2)'s blade
seems to be made of silver and its hilt is
embedded with a bright sapphire. When
imbedded in the ground or held against the
ground by its wielder, this greatsword humms
and spreads a DC 15 Zone of Truth in a 10ft
radius around it. If this is used by the
champion, they automatically beat this DC.
This lies in the crypt of sir Jorah in the forest
south of Vallaki; a long dead knight.
Breastplate of the Green Knight: This brestplate
provides 15 AC and cleans itself over time,
removing mud, blood and other
contaminants. The green hue adapts slightly
to its environment over time, granting a +2
stealth bonus when staying in green
environments for more than a minute.
Additionally, it does not confer disadvantage
on stealth rolls.
Appendix A
Optional NPC ideas and locations
This appendix describes some NPCs that you might want
to consider incorporating into your game, or serve as
inspiration for such.
The Devils' Den
This location is set in the eastern side of Mt. Ghakis, near
the first fall of the Tser River from the mountains. This is a
sulphuric hot cave complex that serves as the reincarnation
spot for devils that die in Barovia. The avatar of Seriarch
lays dormant in the deepest cave, approachable through the
Ethereal. In the central cave rules Ezokiel, a horned devil
who is incredibly bored and Tarinus, a chain devil that finds
fun in torturing mortals in another part of the cave. The
devils have an agreement with Strahd, stipulating several
different rules for their continued existence. They must
accept any victims and prisoners Strahd throws their way
(mostly failed champions of other Vestiges and those who
have woken his ire), and may if their cells are empty find a
set amount of victims of their own from Barovia to keep
them entertained.
The cave is also home to two imps and three lemures; the
lemures are used to reform the bodies of slain devils, such
as Yolanda. If the players approach the cave, they will first
hear the sound of chains echoing from within and then the
glamming of dogs, as two Hellhounds patrol the upper
reaches of it. They will attack on sight.
Yolanda and the Pleasure of
Vallaki
Yolanda is a succubi that was trapped within Barovia along
with everyone else. She has spent her time as succubi
building a brothel in the poorer part of town called 'The
Pleasure of Vallaki', replacing a younger matron each time
her used form should be getting old. It is so old and rooted
in society, that it is only allowed at this time for the sake of
tradition, and possibly due to Yolanda having a personal
relationship with the Baron.
Yolanda could be one of the members of Fiona Wachters
bookclub, feiging interest in usurping the baron on behalf
of Fiona. In reality, if the rebellion succeeds she will
replace Fiona and become the new burgomeister herself,
taking Fiona's form and eventually staging the inheritance
to favor Stella so she can replace her in the future. Should
Yolanda ever die, she may be encountered again in the
Devils' Den if it is used. The same rule applies to Majesto,
Fiona's imp familiar.
Melissa, devoted sister of Mother
Night
She wears a purple shawl and appears mysteriously when
the party is looking for her the first time, or asking about
her. She will truthfully claim that Mother Night guided her
to them. She will lead the players, if reverent enough, into
the crypts of the Wachters using a key she possesses, to an
altar hidden behind the tomb of Alistra Wachter, an old
Sister, where they can invoke Mother Night for an
audience. See Mother Night for more on this encounter.
Should she ever be drawn into combat, use the Priest
statblock from the Monsters Manual.
Crypts of Vallaki
Vallaki have at least two families that deserve their own
crypts; the Wachters and the Vallakoviches. The
Vallakovich crypt is in the western part of the graveyard
and is a place where Tarakmedes might lure potentials to
partake in a feast of flesh. A player may receive a vision or
dream inviting them to this crypt, and will within its
darkness find the fresh corpse of a dead Vallakian, as well
as Tarakmedes in the form of a man, ready to partake.
In the eastern part of the graveyard lies the Wachter crypt.
If the players inspect the tombs inside, they might learn
that the Wachters used to be burgomeisters as well and
have a long line of noble history. Behind a blackened tomb
of Alistra Wachter, they might find the altar of Mother
Night. Melissa knows how to access and use it.
Champions of the Vestiges
Throughout history, other adventurers and Barovians have
received the Vestiges attention and failed. Their remains
may be found throughout Barovia, sometimes long dead,
other times more recently so. Consider using these fallen
champions for remote locations when and if your party
should go exploring, and consider how they may be marked
as champions and whether any of the artifacts of that
champion may be in their possession.
You may also want the players to meet one of more of these
alive, to see the power of the Vestiges in practice, and to
eventually see them fall to their own madness or the hand
of Strahd. Strahd might choose to treat these champions as
toys or threats, depending on their resolve. It is quite
possible for champions like these to remain hidden from
Strahd, playing the long game.
Keep in mind the rule about not letting a Vestige have
several champions, and make a note of it if you use a living
champion in the setting.

Events
The following pages will include optional Vestige events for
your players to randomly encounter in the land of Barovia.
You may want to alter the events to make them either more
or less difficult based on the level of the group when they
encounter them. In case one or more characters already
have pacts with Vestiges, some events may become
unsuitable.
The events are often tied in with a specific location or
terrain. If no specific area is mentioned, it should be
applicable to most of Barovia. Unless otherwise mentioned,
determine the distance they notice the event based on the
highest passive perception in the party; 20+ is 100ft, 15+ is
60ft, 10+ is 30ft.
Fekre's corruption of Krezk
Saria Elyana is a human commoner in her forties who is
currying the favor of Fekre, having received visions and
dreams (from Fekre), and believing her to be the saintly
figure who is responsible for the blessed condition of the
pool in Krezk. Fekre is guiding Saria into brewing a
concoction for the pool, in order to 'strengthen' it, to which
Saria needs the PC's help procuring the following
ingredients: Blood of a Werewolf and blood of a holy man
(or woman).
Saria Elyana can be encountered near the pool of Krezk
by the characters, pondering how she can fulfill her
obligations, and will approach the characters if they look
capable. She will not immediately reveal her plans, but may
if they gain her trust.
Outcome
Should the characters procure the ingredients for her, she
will brew her concoction and return to pour it in the pool.
Before doing this she will give thanks to Fekre her patron
and protector of Krezk, which may be a red flag for the
players, have they heard of her.
Pouring the concoction into the pool will corrupt it with a
dark-red hue, until it is fully corrupted, after which it will
look slightly muddy. Any creature near it can feel the
goodness drain from the liquid, and it will no longer bring
any benefit to those that drink from it, instead becoming a
source of minor ailments and misfortune.
Should the characters engage Saria in combat, she will be
easily defeated, not having any special magical powers or
abilities, but doing so may incur Fekre's scorn.
Rage of Zrin-Hala
The party may encounter this event randomly near Mt.
Baratok.
As you walk through the landscape you see a whirlwind of
leaves and branches in the distance, encompassing a being
of pure air, which seems to be breaking down foilage in a
rage. Upon closer inspection you see a peculair orb swirling
within the being, energy crackling from the orb throughout
the form at irregular intervals.
The being is an Air Elemental, the orb inside it is the Orb
of Chaos of Zrin-Hala. When the air elemental is reduced
to 45 hitpoints, the Orb of Chaos begins to shimmer and
crackle more ferociously. Until the elemental is defeated, its
Slam attacks deal an additional d4 thunder damage as the
energy of the orb is channeled through its body to the point
of impact.
If the players attempt to communicate with the Air
Elemental with the Auran language, they can have it
surrender the orb peacefully by convincing it that its
current rage stems from the orb inside it (Persuasion 22). It
will then disperse into the heavens.
Soul-seeker of Sykane
The party may encounter this even near any grave or
graveyard during night-time.
You see a robed figure standing near a recently dug grave,
mumbling quietly to himself in a sort of reverence. They
have a lit lantern placed behind the gravestone, shrouding
them in the shadow of the rock.
If the players do not intervene just yet, continue.
.. as the figure continues his mumbling, you realise its
actually a chant, and from the grave rises a spirit, levitating
in front of the summoner in a daze. The summoner begins
to speak with the spirit.
The PCs may choose to attack this figure, which fights with
the Cult fanatic monster statblock in the Monster Manual.
The figure will quickly bind the spirit to their service using
the Bound Spirit monster statblock detailed in Appendix
C. He will fight only until he feels overwhelmed, at which
point he will throw himself to the characters' mercy.
If they engage him in conversation and show a polite
interest for his work, he will reveal that he is a servant of
the dark one, Sykane, and that his name is Cyril Manovich
and that he is on a pilgrimage for his master. He is proving
himself worthy by binding spirits to his will, and gaining
their information. Cyril is rather deranged, but keenly loyal
to his master. He will warn the characters only once not to
badmouth his faith.
If the characters manage to be friendly and turn a blind eye
to his sacriliege, he may be willing to either accompany
them or invite them on a personal quest to retrieve the
Horn of Sykane, which is buried in the graveyard of St.
Markovia (or another unvisited location).
Savnok's Challenge
This event may be encountered by a single character in
either Krezk or Vallaki, while they are alone, such as in a
valley. If the character is somehow immune
As you are taking a short pause to look around, you notice a
figure standing some distance away, secluded in the
shadows. The figure wears a white mask and it cocks its
head just a bit as you look at it.
The figure is not actually there, no-one else will interact
with it og recognize its presence. If the character
approaches it, it will start speaking in halted sentences,
almost as a kenku quoting someone else: "Challenge for
you. Pull the threads. Show worth to me. Reward in store.
Interested?"
If the character show interest, the figure takes off its mask
to show the face of either a named NPC near them (such as
lady Wacther, a burgomeister, Blinsky, etc.) or you can
make one up. It proceeds to point them out as a target for
assassination. "Find this one. Kill them. Do it hidden, do it
right. If you do, this will be yours." He shows them the
Puzzlebox of Savnok. If the character become hostile or
leaves the figure to find help, it simply disappears. During
the conversation, feel free to change masks often, even to
those of party members for effects. If the PC tries to get
within short range of the vision, explain to them how it
starts humming in their head, physically hurting the closer
they get. If they go close enough and touch or try to remove
the mask themselves, they will fall unconscious and take
3d8+3 physic damage.
Feast of Tarakmedes
The characters can encounter this in the Vallakian crypts,
or they may find a crypt in the Barovian wildlands.
As you descend into the dark corridors of the crypt you are
suddenly met with a sweet smell, such as one might expect
from a royal banquet. You come to a table richly decorated
with silver chandelabras and plates, filled to the brim with
delectable meats, roasted, baked, broiled and basted.
The table and the cutlery is all illusionary, but the food is all
human meat in different varieties, magically summoned by
Tarakmedes. The player characters will likely take a
moment to investigate this, and may stuff some of the silver
in their pockets. If they attempt to leave without eating
anything, enforce a DC: 15 Will save. All who fail this will
find their mouth watering and be attracted to eat from the
feast.
Those who eat from the feast will gain inspiration in their
next combat, as the food is very delectable. Anyone who
succeeds on a DC 17 Medicine or Nature check can
determine that it is human meat. If it becomes clear to
those who ate that is human meat, they will instead
become Sickened unless their character somehow has a
prior disposition against cannibalism.
Tarakmedes will use what he found to determine if any
character might be worth his attention. Any cutlery brought
out from the crypt will disappear. Unless they have prior
business in this crypt, they can investigate the coffin and
find a previous champion of Tarakmedes with sharpened
teeth. At your discretion, have the champion start to 'smell'
the food and awaken as a ghoul or ghast.
Shami-Amourae's Beckoning
The characters can encounter this event as they are leaving
Vallaki or Berez.
As you are leaving the city, you hear a female voice calling
out behind you "Wait, please wait for me!". As you turn
around you see a stunningly beautiful, but somewhat clumsy
woman running towards you with a filled backpack, but
having a hard time doing it in their dress. She catches up to
you and breathes a bit, before she sends you a grateful
smile. "Thank you so much for waiting! My name is Enia, I'd
very much like to travel with you."
Enia is a very becoming woman, having been blessed by
Shami-Amoura. Her personality is quirky and she is very
relieved to have caught up with the characters. She needs
to leave the city as several young men have become
infatuated with her and can't seem to leave her alone.
She offers the characters 25 gp in payment for bringing her
safely to the next city, stating nervously that she hopes it is
enough.. if they agree to leave with her, it will only be a few
minutes before they hear young men shouting from behind,
calling out for Enia. The men, Josin, Rowyn and Patrin will
sprint and catch up to the party, heaving and begging Enia
to come back, or if she wont, vowing that they will follow
her wherever she goes!
Enia will look defeated at the characters and tries in vain to
dissuade them, refering them to their old girlfriends, duties
or even wives. Nothing she says seems to work. The party
might try to intimidate (DC 18) them to leave or might force
them to turn back. If they force them, they will continue
behind them, out of sight.
If the men are allowed to travel with them, they behave as
hopeful courters might do, constantly trying to Enia's favor
by trying to one-up each other and the PCs as well, though
they don't have the skills to do so. They will take almost all
Enia asks of them favorably, except if she asks them to
leave her alone or abandon her. They are all convinced that
given enough time, they will win her heart. The men will
fight and die in any random encounter on the road to
protect Enia.
Outcome
If Enia arrives at the next city she will pay the party and
plant a kiss on anyone she has grown closer to. She will
then proceed to look for a job, and quickly find it, making a
life for herself here. She will eventually turn to Shami-
Amourae and ask for guidance, beginning her proper
journey towards evil, using her wiles for her personal gain.
If the city is Krezk, she can convince the guards to open the
gates for the party by asking them pleadingly.
If her entourage comes as well, they will do everything they
can to be near and support her in her new life, still vying for
favor.
In the future, any PC who has displayed any interest in
Enia will find themselves thinking about her at idle hours.
They can return to find her more confident and attractive
as time goes on. In time, you may have her supplant the
burgomeisters wife becoming a fixture in society and
rather more demanding than last they saw her.
The lair of Drizlash
The party may encounter this event by hearing rumors Myrina Sarvich
from hunters of Vallaki or randomly encounter it once Medium human
while exploring the wilds. In both cases, the actual location
should be remote in the wilds, near a mountainside. Armor Class 13
Hit Points 82
As you draw near to the mountainside, you hear a muffled Speed 30ft.
yell call out: "HMMELP!", and see a giant spider drag a
cocoon through a crevise into what must be a cave inside
the mountain. You see several smaller spiders skitter along
the entrance and you all get this nagging feeling that going STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
inside will be an icky experience.
10 (0) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 8 (-1) 8 (-1)

Venturing through the cave is a thoroughly unpleasant Condition Immunities Poisoned

experience, take time to describe how the characters' boots Senses passive Perception 13
get stuck to the webbing underneath their feet, how small Languages Common
spiders constantly fall into their hair and crawl around, etc.
As they proceed down the cave, they can turn either left or Web Mastery: The character has constant spider-
right. To the left they reach the birthing chamber 30'' away. climb. Whenever they are standing on Web, they
It has the dimensions 20x25x15''. gain a circumstantial +2 attack bonus and have
blindsight.
Birthing Chamber Spellcasting: The character can cast Web once. If
You peer into a chamber full of egg sacs of varying size and one or more characters become webbed by this
several unmoving cocoons. Small and hand-sized spiders
spell, Myrina may make one ranged attack at one
of those characters immediately.
skitter to and fro in constant motion. Webbing clings to the
walls around this room, and the rock forms dark crevices
Rod of the Spiderqueen: Myrina can use her rod to
call forth a spectral Giant Spider once per long
where large bodies occassionaly shiver. rest as an action, which will use the same
statblock as named. It will fight until it reaches 0
hitpoints, or Myrina loses possession of the rod.
The birthing chamber is guarded by three Giant Spiders,
which will attack if the characters venture further in. Actions
Treasure: One of the cocoons contains a skeleton clutching Poisoned Dart (6): Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to
a pouch of 50gp. hit, range 20ft., one target. Hit 7 (2d4 + 2). On a
hit, the character must beat a DC 12 CON save or
To the right, the cave bends and continues another 40'' suffer an additional 2d4 poison damage.
before reaching a central chamber. It has the dimensions
30x30x40''.
Central Chamber Outcome
This chamber has great lengths of web spanning from one If the characters beat Myrina, the spiders will flee if they
side to the other, and several spiders of varying sizes skitter
are at or below half their maximum hitpoints. Treasure:
The characters can claim the Rod of the Spiderqueen, as
to and fro, some lazily decenting from the ceiling as you
well as any unused Darts.
peer in. In the middle of this web, suspended 20'' above
you, lies a woman with silver white hair on the webbing If the characters convince Myrina to aid them against
peacefully. She looks as if she is unconscious, and is Strahd, she will arrive in time for the final battle, climbing
clutching a rod of some kind.
the mountainside and walls, flanked by two Giant Spiders
and accompanied by three Giant Wolf Spiders.
Alternatively, Myrina can be convinced to aid them against
The chamber contains two Giant Spiders and two Giant Baba Lysaga, in which case she will instead accompany the
Wolf Spiders. Myrina Sarvich is the woman in the middle, characters directly to Baba Lysaga's lair, and will suffer no
a champion of Drizlash who is currently in a trance, having side-tracking.
an audience with her master. She will awaken 2 rounds
after the characters enter, addressing them.
Myrina weclomes the characters to the lair of Drizlash and
will imply that they will become food for her children, but if
they speak of Strahd she reveals that she desires his death
as well. If they give her good reasons to trust her, such as
bringing her the Eye of the Spiderqueen or having already
done a great deed against Strahd, she may be willing to
strike a deal with them, joining their final battle against
Strahd accompanied by some spider minions. If no deal
can be struck, she will play with them by offering the rest
leave, if one of them stays to become food.
The Blade of Dahlver-Nar
This event can be encountered in the highlands west of
Ravenloft. Read the following, or paraphrase it:
The lush Battlefield
You tread upon a lush and fertile field, weeds and vegetation
dot the ground and gives off a fresh scent. As you walk upon
the ground, you get an unnatural sensation of battle, you
taste blood upon the wind, you muscles tighten and it is as
if a rush fills your body, as if you suddenly feel as if you are
standing in the midst of combat.
As this happens all of you feel a cold wind and hear a
hollow voice call our "Have you come to challenge me?".
If any one of the characters accept the duel, the spirit of
Ravikk, former champion of Dahlver-Nar will manifest.
Ravikk will ask if they understand the terms, and possibly
explain it to be between only two combatants without
outside interference. Upon victory they will claim his blade,
upon defeat they will join him in death. "A duel of honor
then, let none intervene!".
As the duel begin, the spirits of 26 tribesmen will rise in a
circle surrounding the dueling ground, standing between
30-40'' away from the center. A character that succeeds on
a DC 14 Investigation check can discern that few of the
tribesmen are very different from the others, suggesting
that other adventurers/barovians have joined the grim
audience. Ravikk is cursed to meet any challenge and fight
his best, he will not be free until he loses a duel.
Outcome
Flight: Should the challenger attempt to flee, Ravikk will
disperse, as will his audience, except for two that will turn
into Specters and hunt the character until defeated.
Interference: The first time a character interferes with any
of the combatants, two members of the audience will
become Specters and attack that character. Should they
interfere again, another two will do the same.
Victory: Should the challenger win, Ravikk will remark
"My curse is broken.. for me and all my kindred, thank
you.". He will then fade, as will his audience and any
spawned Specters. The 'Dread Claymore' of Dahlver-Nar
will turn solid from its spiritual state and be claimable by
the victor.
Defeat: Should the challenger be defeated, Ravikk will end
their life, and their spirit will rise from their body to join his
audience. He will remark "And so another soul joins our
curse..". The dead PC may only be interacted with during
duels, but will not be able to do anything to aid the
characters. Their soul will not be released until the curse is
ended. If anyone would challenge him at a later time, he
will have regained all his hitpoints. Upon victory he may
remark and upon defeat
Ravikk, Champion of
Dahlver-Nar
Medium human spirit, neutral lawful
Skills Athletics/Acrobatics +8 Perception +5
Armor Class 14
Hit Points 120
Speed 30ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 18 (+4) 20 (+5) 12 (+1) 8 (-1) 12 (+1)
Condition Immunities Charmed, Exhaustion,
Grappled, Paralyzed, Petrified, Poisoned, Prone,
Restrained, Unconscious
Senses Truesight 60 ft.
Languages Common Stage 1 Ravikk will fight by
attempting to grapple his opponent and utilize
his bit attack.
Stage 2 When Ravikk reaches 60 hitpoints, he
markedly becomes furious with battle and
summons his claymore as a bonus action. He will
now use this weapon. He may also use the Shove
reaction from this stage onward.
Stage 3 When Ravikk reaches 40 hitpoints, he will
appear more monsterous as if his jaw is loose and
his eyes reveal madness. He can at this point
make two attacks with his Claymore.
Champion grappler: Ravikk has +1 on all grapple
attempts. When succeeding on a grapple
attempt, he may immediately use a Bite attack.
Actions
Grapple Melee attack: +10 to hit.
Bite Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, melee, one
target. Hit 7 (1d6 + 4).
Dread Claymore Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to
hit, melee, Hit 11 (2d6 + 4). On a hit the target
must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution save or
they suffer 1d4 reduced Strength until the end of
their next long rest. This effect can stack. On a
critical hit they get no save.
Reactions
Shove Melee attack: +8 contested by the targets
Athletics or Acrobatics (their choice). On
success, move target 5ft away from you or knock
it prone.
Quest of Zantras
This event can be encountered in Krezk. Read or
paraphrase the following.
A humble request
An elderly man approaches you, he seems as if he has toiled
his entire life, his body hunched and his eyes weary with life,
his clothes betray a meager lifestyle. He seems to recognize
you as outsiders. Before he speaks he coughs a bit. "Good
day travelers, I am glad that people such as yourself can
once again enter our fair city.." he stops and smiles a bit at
the nearby buildings, before his smile fades "I have come to
hear if you who have travelled the roads will aid an old man
in saving his grandson from folly?" The elderly man stands
and awaits your response.
Should the characters be amendable to help the man, he
recounts the following information: The elderly man is
Tarvin Barvich a carpenter of the city who have worked on
most buildings at one point or another during his lifetime.
His grandson Simon is 16 years old and have recently
gotten his hands on an odd scepter Tarvin only saw in
passing ( the Scepter of Zantras), which have corrupted
him with ambitions and illusions about his own importance
and destiny. Simon has left Krezk with a few followers that
seem to regard him as their leader.
Tarvin will want them to find young Simon, get some sense
into his head, and return him to Krezk. Barovia is no place
for a young man to go galavanting on mad quests. Should
the characters inquire or accept, Tarvin will offer them his
life savings, which amounts to 216gp, most of which he
was keeping as an inheritance for Simon.
Tarvin does not know where Simon is right now, though he
recall Simon mentioning that he would see Krezks' thirst
be quenched once again. If the party has not just come
from the winery, Simon will be there or on its outskirts if it
is not cleared of enemies. If the party just came from the
winery, then Simon got lost on the way and they may
randomly encounter him in their future travels. Note this
encounter on your random encounter table as a possibility.
Simon's band of adventurers
Treat Simon as a Noble except his health is 60
and he carries the Scepter of Zantras allowing him
to magically use Command or Suggestion. His
followers are varied humans that have taken their
family weapons. Treat one of his followers as a
Thug, another as a Scout and the last as a Veteran.
The followers are loyal to Simon and truly
believes he is destined for greatness, and that
they ought to help him achieve greatness. If the
scepter is attuned to someone other than Simon,
then they shift their loyalty to the new holder,
who can relinquish them as a free action. If Simon
simply dies, they will also lose their loyalty but
might keep fighting anyway if they feel
threatened.
Khirad's Reflection
This event can be encountered when a single character
stares into a mirror. Read of paraphrase the following:
Reflections
As you stare into the mirror, your gaze is drawn to your own
eyes. There is something.. different there.. It is as if someone
else is staring back at you, though you can't truly explain
how you know.. wait are you inside the mirror? Is this the
mirror dimension? As you look around it is as if reality feels
distorted around you, and you stare back at the mirror and
see yourself leaving.. or your reflection? Panic starts to
intrude upon your mind as you try to understand the
implications.. if you are right
The body of the character becomes paralyzed before the
rest of the party members. Have the character roll an
intelligence save and continue based upon their roll.
<5: The character heaves as their body becomes active
again, their eyes flickering from one side to the other. Roll
on the long-term madness table in the DMG p. 259. They
only remember seeing strange visions of an impossible
dimension, before the mirror broke apart around them.
5-10: The character awakes shakingly, repeating the name
Khirad. They have a difficult time standing, roll on the
short-term madness table in the DMG p. 258. They
remember a thousand whispers trying to speak to them at
once and colors splitting only to combine again into vague
shapes, before the dimension collapsed.
11-15: The character blinks quickly and returns to their
body, visibly shaken. They look around for a long time
before concluding that they are back. They remember
travelling through Barovia towards a temple upon a
mountain, except all the colors in the land were different,
brigther even. But then it was as if whoever called them
deigned to reject them upon the path. In the horizons a
vague shape rose high, made of light and reflections.
16-20: The character calmly wakes up, their heart is
pounding but their composure is normal. They remember
the dimension twisting around them, shapes turned into
terrain, terrain into shapes and faces appeared around
them. They cannot accurately describe how, but they had
an audience with a being called Khirad. They have been
invited to the Amber Temple, it was difficult to understand
but.. there were secrets to be revealed. The character gains
a point of inspiration as they feel a renewed sense of
purpose, as if there is some hidden meaning with all of this.
21+: The character wakes with clarity in their mind. They
have visited Khirad upon the mountain through the
reflections of his mind. He was enigmatic by nature and the
mind of the character reflected this accordingly. What may
be madness to others were merely a puzzle to this one.
They have earned the attention of Khirad and may later be
approached to become a champion without having to visit
the temple. Additionally they have secretly received a gift in
their possession the Gemstone of Reflection, they may
find this in their shoe or hidden in their hand.
Delban's Hole of Hatred
This event can be encountered on mt. Ghakiz in the cold
reaches not too far from the Amber Temple. As the party is
traveling either to or from the Amber Temple, check that
any character beats a DC 15 Perception and read or
paraphrase the following:
Spectre in the Dark
As the darkness falls and you are preparing to take a rest, a
flurry of snow starts to fall around you on the wind. In the
distance across a crevice you see a flickering rigid form of a
humanoid stare back at you, its form strangely ethereal.
The form beckons you to come hither with a gesture,
before it disappears into a cave. You feel as if you have just
received an invitation.
The distance to the ledge is about 60 feet, the crevice is 10
feet wide and figures a 100ft drop. Use the regular rules to
determine how they cross it. On the other side there is only
20 feet to the cave where the figure disappeared. Entering
the cave the party will have to travel another 240ft to reach
its inner chamber, read or paraphrase the following to
describe it. At any point the party can only look 60 feet
ahead due to the way the tunnel bends. Read or paraphrase
the following:
The cave of Hatred
As you enter the cave you feel the comforting protection
that the mountain offers against the weather. Your light
illuminates a long natural tunnel that seems to disappear
into the darkness as it bends. The walls of the cave seem to
be decorated with primitive paintings and icons. They seem
to continue into the darkness.
You have an eerie feeling of uneasyness as you stare into
the darkness.
The Hole
The hole bends and deposits you into a large chamber
where you can barely see the edges. You quickly take notice
of several decrepid corpses lying around near the hole, their
flesh having been bitten off as each new arrival has felt the
hunger devour them.
The chamber is enclosed with only the hole as a way out.
The sides of the walls have depictions drawn in blood, but
one word is written in common again and again. Delban.
The depictions can be interpreted with a successful DC 15
History roll. They are confessions of crimes commited,
often kinslaying, murder, rape or other serious crimes.
There are often images of a dark being centered around the
crimes, which seems to have become important to the
prisoners in one way or another.
It is impossible to throw a rope up through the hole due to
how it bends. It is too slibbery to simply climb without
other aid. A character who find themselves stuck down
here must hope for some sort of aid from above. Being
down here is a thoroughly unpleasant experience as visions
of crimes past seem to mix with the darkness and force
themselves upon the mind of the character. Long exposure
to this place is a good opportunity to apply a Madness
effect to the character, as in the DMG p. 258.
Once any character has been pushed into the hole or
voluntarily entered, a Ghost will rise through the floor and
attempt to possess one of the remaining characters with
the intention of escaping the cave. If they manage to
possess a character, they will try to flee if they are able. The
Ghost is one of an ancient murderer Ritlag the Cleaver, he
speaks a long dead tongue and can only voluntarily
communicate while possessing someone. He has no desire
other than to escape, and will only speak peacefully if he
has no other choice.

A character who decides to study the cave paintings can

attempt a History check. On a 15-20 roll they can
determine that the paintings seem to depict humans
coming into the cave, only to leave one behind, perhaps as
some sort of sacrifice. With a 20-25 roll they determine
that the depictions describe how a tribe brought their
criminals to this cave to imprison them in the deepest
reaches. Finally, with a 26+ check they learn that the cave
is haunted by a malevolent spirit which punishes the
criminals and leaves the wardens with dark thoughts when
they leave.
As the party continues to the inner chamber, they should
experience involuntary imaginations about hurting or
punishing the others. Describe how one character starts to
have thoughts about punishing some slight another did
against them, even if it is only an imaginary slight.
In the inner chamber the party will find a deep and very
slibbery hole descending 40'' into darkness and is
unclimbable unless the effect of a Spider Climb or similar
aid is applied. At this point the, have the party make a
Charisma save DC 14. Those who fail feel a strong urge to
push one of the others into the hole (usually with the Shove
action). Should any character fall into the hole or
voluntarily explore it, read or paraphrase the following:
Taar Haak's Hopefuls
The party may encounter this event randomly upon the
mountainside of Mt. Ghakiz, spotting them 60 feet away.
Seven humans are gathered in this clearing, all wearing a
mixture of robes, leather armor and cloth. They are rowdy
and seem to be in an argument about who among them is
the strongest, and who will claim 'the prize'. On occassion
small brawls break out, but they often end in laughter rather
than blood.
They are festive in an odd sort of way, as if on a journey of
great import.
Any character who listens for a while (DC 18 Perception),
will learn that these travellers are venturing to the peak of
Mt. Ghakiz to find the nest of the Roc and claim their
reward. The reward is the favor of Taar Haak and the item
they wish to recover is his Earthen Warhammer, a powerful
artifact which will mark whoever claims it as the leader of
this little cult, and champion of Taar Haak.
The PC's can approach the hopefuls and either convince
them to travel together towards the peak (DC 20
Persuasion) or convince them that they wish to compete for
Taar Haak's favor as well (DC 23 Deception). Failing on
either check will have one of the hopefuls spring up and
declare that this must surely be a test by Taar Haak, and
engage them, hastily followed by the others.
Taar Haak Hopeful
Medium human, chaotic neutral
Armor Class 14
Hit Points 35
Speed 30ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
14 (+2) 10 (0) 13 (+1) 8 (-1) 12 (+1) 12 (+1)
Condition Immunities None
Languages Common
Spellcasting. The hopeful is 1st-level spellcaster.
Its spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC
11, +3 to hit with spell attacks. They have the
following spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): Mold Earth, Resistance, Produce
Flame
Earth magic (once): The hopeful either;
Surround their body with rock, increasing their
AC by +2, but reducing their speed by -5.
Causes an earth tremor centered on
themselves, imposing a DC 14 Dex save on all
creatures in a 10ft radius, knocking them
prone and dealing 1d6 physical damage on a
failed save.
Actions
Hammer Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit. one
target. Hit 5 (1d6 + 2)
The Well of Shadows
This event can be encountered if a character swims in Lake
Zarovich. Check for Perception underwater, DC 12. If they
succeed, read or paraphrase the following:
As the cold water engulfs you, and your body reacts to the
subtle currents, you suddenly notice something far towards
the centre of the lake.. it's dark. Much too dark, as if the
darkness is emboldened. You feel an odd mixture of
attraction and repulsion from it, a part of you can sense that
something powerful is hidden or is waiting here.. but is it
wise to seek it out?
If the character(s) decide to explore the darkness, either by
navigating a boat or swimming, they must reach the depth
of 150''. There are different ways to check for this, decide
for yourself what an appropriate challenge for this is.
If a character manages to reach the bottom, read or
paraphrase the following.
As you reach the bottom of the lake your vision becomes
more and more clouded in darkness and you feel much
colder than you would expect. As the darkness envelops
you, it seems as if invisible beings start swimming next to
you only to disappear again. They brush against you, but you
are unable to grasp them. You suddenly hear a voice in your
mind, in an ancient tongue.
If any of the characters can speak Abyssal, they hear the
following: "A sacrifice must be made.. for the favor of the
black deep.." if a character offers something you find
acceptable as a sacrifice (a magic item, a living creature or
something similarly relevant), they will hear the following
"..your sacrifice is accepted.. my boon is yours.." and receive
the Tiara of the Deep from Yrrga.
Should a character try to sacrifice something you do not
deem suitable or directly insulting, they will instead hear
the following "..you will regret.. your insolence.." roll on the
short- or long-term madness table of the DMG depending
on how insulting the offering was and apply it.
Only one character will receive the Tiara, but if more
characters offer a suitable sacrifice they will hear "..your
offering is taken by the deep.. my eye is upon you.."
When all characters have been processed, they will feel
their bodies be propelled upwards until they violently break
the surface and land near their boat or the shore.
Subsequent visits will yield nothing as the darkness seem
to have subsided.
This is a good opener for Yrrga to seek a champion among
the characters in the future.
The Melody of Yog In the Shadow of Vaund
This event may be encountered deep in any forest. As they This event may be encountered anywhere in the region
travel through the woods, read of paraphrase the following: west of Vallaki after the party has reached level seven.
During a long rest, decide upon one of the players to be the
'target'. An NPC named Gavlin using the Assassin
As you travel the mountainous forests you suddenly hear statblock has been charged to assassinate the 'target' and
distant music.. the tones of a flute carried by the wind. It is
strange however, for some reason it is hard to determine
have been guided to their location through suble means by
exactly where the music is coming from. Vaund, they are now arriving and the method the party
rests will determine how much of an advantage Gavlin has
on his target.
Let the players decide how they want to locate the source.
A successful DC 25 Perception check can decipher the First, roll stealth with advantage contested by whoever is
right direction, a successful DC 20 survival check can currently on watch. If they have special measures, try to
reveal that someone has moved through the area recently play into these or roll for whether Gavlin can circumvent
in the right direction, finally a successful DC 15 Nature them. Gavlin will spend some time trying to determine who
check can determine that the birds seem to be flying in a is his target, and then find himself a vantage point to shoot
singular direction, towards the music. Give hints if at them with his crossbow.
necessary to these opportunities. If Gavlin is detected before his attack, roll combat as
If the characters find the right direction and investigate the normal. If he is not, do not immediately reveal his location
music, they will find a band of 6 satyrs sitting solemnly in a and but let each character spend their turn trying to figure
circle, some eating berries and nuts, one playing the it out by either investigating the trajectory (Investigation dc
melody on one of their flutes. Around them, woodland 12), listen (Perception dc = Gavlin's stealth), look for
critters seems to have gathered to listen. The song is one of disturbed terrain and tracks (Survival 15) or with magical
melancholy and the players can feel the sadness in it. They means. Expect Gavlin to choose a logical location like a
have no treasure of value, except a finely carved flute(40gp) tree or behind a bush.
The satyrs speak Sylvan and will jump to a guarding Development
position when they realise the players' presence. If the If Gavlin manages to slay his target, he will prioritize
players approach peacefully and manage to communicate fleeing the scene. He has no interest in fighting the party if
with the satyrs, they will reveal that their little party have he can avoid it.
been in Barovia since before the fall of the mist. They are
kin to Yog and came to Barovia with a dream that his If he is captured he can be coerced to reveal (Intimidation
imprisonment might help him find his peace again.. the 18/Persuasion 22) that this is the test set forth to him by
melody they play is one that regrets that he has yet to do so, the great Vaund. The reward being favor and protection for
and one that lament their own imprisonment in this cursed him and his family, against the dangers of Barovia. If he
land. They have hid in and among the trees, staying does it well, Vaund would mold him into a weapon to take
dormant for months at a time. control of Barovia itself, which Gavlin reveals somewhat
manically. Gavlin does not regret having to murder, he only
If the characters offer to help, the satyrs remark that they regrets that he failed an otherwise obvious job.
have long wanted to visit the 'Prison on the mountain' to
play Yog's melody to him, but they are frightened to do so. If Gavlin is looted he has a pouch of 34 gold coins, his
What corrupted Yog so long ago may easily corrupt them as Shortsword, his Light Crossbow, Light leather armor and
well. If a bard is in the party or someone otherwise one additional dose of Wyvern Poison.
proficient in fluteplay, they can offer to learn the melody
and play it for Yogs' sarcophagi. If no bard is present, one of
the satyrs might be persuaded to join them DC 18. Only
one will ever agree to join, in which case they will fight as
necessary and may become a staunch ally.
Development
Should Yog hear his melody played near his sarcophagi
perfectly (Performance DC 20), his mind will twist and
become more socialble, lamenting his imprisonment not
out of anger but sadness. He will beg that be freed, and the
satyr accompanying them (if one indeed is) will
communicate with Yog on Sylvan, recounting their past
history and the lands of before.
If Yog is denied freedom at this time, his rage will return
and he will curse the party for their torture of him. Each
character will lose 2 temporary points in an attribute of
their choosing for 1 week. If he is freed, then his spirit will
flee to the woods and not return, leaving the party with a
point of inspiration and one attribute point each of their
choosing. He will be free to leave Barovia when the
campaign ends, and any champions of his are released
from their pacts.
Seriach's Deal Development: Deal fulfilled
This event may be encountered on the roads near Vallaki. If they help Sarah get the book, she will take it and the
Read or paraphrase the following: party to the crossroads and place it in the middle before
stepping far back. She will call out that she is here to fulfill
her debt, after which a minute will pass before the book
As you are traveling down the road you suddenly hear the bursts into flames and disappears in ash. Seriarch is now
barking of dogs in front of you. They sound aggressive, but
not moving. As you get a little nearer you can hear load in 'possession' of it, and may give it to a champion later,
scratching upon wood as well. About 100 feet in front of should he get one.
you as you clear a bend, you see two monstrous hounds
with flames licking around their jaws barking up a tree, their
claws tearing into it now and again. On a branch about 15
If the party is interested, this may lead to a negotiation for
feet above the hounds lies a woman in peasantly clothing another favor. Seriarch can provide the boons and service
tightly hugging a sturdy branch, obviously scared to death. of his hellhounds, but he will as such try to get a champion
connected to him.
The hounds are hostile to the party and will notice them by Development: Protection
smell or sound in one round, unless they take precautions The players are free to try and protect Sarah on their
to hide themselves. They will fight until defeated, at which travels, she will gladly join them if they do not offer to help
point they will disappear as if conjured. her fulfill or re-negotiate it. However, her doom is almost
certain. They will be accosted by the hellhounds that
Should the party rescue the woman she will thank them reappear every 24 hours and attacks her specifically.
profusely and mournfully explain her predicatement. She is
a maid at the Vallakovich manor named Sarah Myrnikov, Though the party may reach a level where they can handle
but her family used to be prosperous until her parents were them, she is a commoner and should die quickly to attacks.
framed by the Arasek family and executed by the
burgomeister only a few years ago. While going for a walk
she was approached near the crossroads west of Vallaki by
a dark stranger who called himself Carvak and showed
sympathy for the injustice. She struck a deal with him for
revenge against the Araseks, and soon after the ones
responsible mysteriously died. In return, she had to use her
position to steal a book from Victor Vallakovich before this
day, but she just couldn't get it in time! This might be the
spellbook of Mordenkainen, or you could use another
interesting tome.
Now he is intent on taking her life and she does not know
what to do. There are several options for the party to
pursue, but until either she is dead, the deal is fulfilled or
they manage to re-negotiate the deal, the hell hounds will
magically appear 120 ft from her every 24 hours and
relentlessly pursue her. With proper protection they may
keep her alive.
Development: Re-negotiation
If the party offers to help get her out of the deal, she will
gratefully take them to the crossroads to talk to the
stranger. She knows how to summon him, and will do so by
cutting open her hand and calling his name. Carvak is
actually an illusion from Seriarch through which he makes
deals that his hellhounds can perform.
He will be interested in making a deal with the PCs, who
can probably get things done that she cannot. His long goal
would be to corrupt one or more of them to be more in tune
with his own personality, so tasks may include killing either
Fiona Wachter or Victor Vallakovich, someone else
procuring the book for him, or other devilish tasks you can
think of. If either of these are accepted he will give them a
new deadline of three days. If no deal can be reached or if
he is not convinced that the PCs sincerely wish to take
responsibility for Sarah's actions, he will disappear again.
A seance with Mother Night
This event may trigger inside Vallaki. Read or paraphrase
the following to the player with the highest passive
perception:
Walking the streets, you suddenly feel as if you are being
watched.. more than usual. Suspicious, you quietly look
around and find a woman staring at you, her face an odd
mixture of worry and compassion. She is wiping her hands
in an apron of sorts, and you realise that she is dressed as a
midwife.
Should the character or characters approach, the woman
will introduce herself as Melissa, self-proclaimed priestess
of Mother Night. She wants to speak with them, but will
insist they find somewhere private, such as an alley.
She explains that her goddess in interested in meeting the
party, and as such Melissa wish to perform a seance with
them in which she will channel mother Night. The party
may be skeptical at this, but if they accept Melissa will
invite them to meet her by the graveyard a quarter to
midnight.
Into the crypt
Melissa will await them in the shadows of the graveyard
and lead them to the Wachter crypt (homebrew location) in
the north-eastern part of the graveyard. It is locked behind a
metal gate, but Melissa will produce a key from her
garments. Moving down, the characters will find mostly
wall-coffins with different Wachter members on the first
layer, and moving further down they will start to see
sarcophagi sometimes with the Burgomeister title as well,
indicating that the Vallakoviches did not always rule.
As they reach a sarcophagi of black marble, Melissa will
explain that this particular lady was a devout follower of
mother Night and saw to it that an altar was hidden behind
her grave for the use of future sisters. Melissa will use a
secret latch and open a path behind the wall. The room
here is a 10 radius circular room with an altar set centrally
upon the wall opposite the entrance. The altar is fit with
different symbols of the moon and other ceremonial
trappings.
Sir Wachter?
This could also be a good time to clue the players into the
fate of Sir Wacther. During their time in the crypt they may
notice his coffin standing with a not-properly closet lit, and
his name. Examining the epitaph they will learn he is the
husband of lady Wacther, but his corpse is gone.
This should be enough to get them started on investigating
this not-too-often explored part of Vallakian lore.
The Seance
Melissa will ask the party to sit down in the small locale
and proceed to start burning incense. Soon after, read of
paraphrase the following:
As the fumes fill the small room, you all begin to feel more
at ease and light hallucinations of silverly light begin to
dance upon the walls. You see Melissa's eyes glaze over
white, almost gleaming with light.
As she speaks, you hear her voice more serene, more
clear and quite different.
The party may now speak to mother Night through Melissa
for the next five minutes. In this time mother Night will be
able to answer questions related to these topics:
The Morninglord: Mother Night will admit that he is her
son and mournfully explain how she saved him from being
trapped in here, like himself.
Her activities: She will explain that her services to Barovia
has not concluded. She spends her time in the afterlife,
trying to save souls from being devoured by the creatures
that await, though more often than not she fails in this task.
The vestiges: She can explain the location of the amber
temple and the presence of the Vestiges, in particular
Vampyr and his relation to Strahd. If they delve into the
topic of Tatyana she can also recount her tale and
significance to Strahd. She does not hold details on the
Amber Temple itself other than its location, as she stays far
away from that place.
Being her champion: If any of the players offer to be her
champion, she will speak of the glorious days where
knights pledged themselves to her honor.. she will accept
only one such champion who can receive power from her,
with the explicit purpose of protecting the people and
destroying Strahd.
Other topics: Though she is a God, her knowledge of the
land isn't absolute and up to date. 99% of her time is spent
in the twisted afterlife which isn't a very reliable source of
information on the going ons. Gauge if a given question is
within her realm of knowledge.
When the time is up
Melissa will return to herself and will be quite clearly dazed
from the experience. If any of them has been accepted as a
champion of mother Night, Melissa will open a secret
compartment in the altar and give the champion the
Breastplate of the Green Knight, as detailed on Mother
Night's page. Otherwise Melissa will thank the characters
and escort them out of the crypt, and blessing them in
Mother Nights name.
Appendix B
Optional rituals
These rituals are suggestions for how to approach things
the players might want to do concerning Vampyr, Tatyana
and the Vestiges.
Restoring the sarcophagi
The remains of the amber sarcophagi remains in the
Amber Temple and will need to be reassembled into a
sarophagi. To do this, a spellcaster must use mending on
each individual shard while replacing them on the
sarcophagi. This process takes one hour, during which a
divine spellcaster must imbue the crystal with their own
power to restore its properties, draining a total of 6-levels
worth of spell slots, as chosen by the player.
Binding of a Vestige
To bind a Vestige, the players must know the true name of
the target and must prepare a circle of blood and salt
around the sarcophagi. They must remain in the circle and
repeat the name of the Vestige in a ritualistic summoning.
After uptoward one hour the Vestige will show itself and be
forced to take material form. It must in this form be
defeated, after which it will break down into its dark
essence, which will be drawn into the sarcophagi.
During the summoning, the area around and within the
temple will begin to be affected, starting with flickering
lights and gradually turning into light tremblings, torches
going out, winds blowing and Shadow Demons appearing
to interrupt the ritual. As long as at least two characters are
keeping concentration on maintaining the ritual, it is not
interrupted. If it does become interrupted, it must be
started over again.
Consider having the final minutes of the ritual be
challenged by the given Vestige, such as visions of desire
from Shami-Amourae, or blood seeping through the stone
with Vampyr.
Tatyanas soul
One of the ways to break Vampyrs link with Strahd, is to
remove Tatyanas soul from the equation. Vampyr keeps her
in a vault on the Ethereal plane, awaiting reincarnation. To
access it (after her death), one must enter the Ethereal,
either with the help of Beucephalus, Strahds nightmare, a
deal with the Night Hags or a ritual Mother Night might
provide. The vault of Vampyr is guided by creatures of
darkness. For this, I suggest taking a look at the creatures
in Mordenkainens' Tome of Foes to find applicables.
Note: I have not included a homebrew of the vault, make it
yourself if you choose to include it as an option.
If the players manage to reach Tatyanas soul, there should
be a way for them to destroy the soul. Perhaps they see
Tatyana for what she is, tattered and used after all these
reincarnations and it will simply be a matter of tearing her
apart, or perhaps she is a sort of shadowy pod that simply
needs to be destroyed.
Breaking the barrier
Only Khirad has discerned this ritual, and he shares it only
with his own champion.
To break the barrier placed around Barovia, requires
freeing Khirad from his own sarcophagi. Either this must
be done by having an important NPC willingly share their
deepest secrets in front of Khirads sarcophagi, the party
doing so to each other (the very deepest), or by completing
a ritual such as with the binding, but reversed to release
them, in which case the rival Vestiges will send the
Shadow Demons to disrupt them, not truly trusting that
Khirad's dealings is to their benefit.
Once Khirad is free, he will rise to a great size and begin a
ritual to break the barrier. During this ritual, the horizons
will flicker with magic and visions of worlds beyond will
flash across them. If Vampyr isn't imprisoned at this time,
he will attempt to stop the ritual, beginning to fear the
coming of angels and good. If Vampyr is imprisoned, then
the challenge will come from the other Vestiges who will
draw upon what champions they may or may not have, and
the Shadow Demons to stop the ritual, fearing that they in
their current imprisoned state will be at the mercy of the
forces of good. Should Khirad succeed in his ritual (taking
four hours), the barrier will be broken. Khirad will flee with
his champion into the Nether, the host of the Morning Lord
will descent upon the valley, and Barovia will, finally, be
free.
Breaking a pact with a Vestige
There are no set rules for how to break a pact with a
Vestige, and you may decide that they are simply not
breakable over the course of your campaign. By all
accounts, it should be extremely difficult to do on a
characters own volition. In contrast to Strahd, there are no
obvious conditions for the pact the characters forge with
each Vestige (though it is worth considering adding
symbolic elements for that purpose), so how can it be done?
I personally consider the most logical course of action is
for the champion to forsake and atone for everything that
the Vestige was first attracted to them for, after first
discovering what that truly was. A cannibal bound to
Tarakmedes may go on a spiritual and bodily diet, eating
nothing but vegetables and continually facing and defeating
their desires. What Strahd might do was to let Ireena live a
life-time without his desire, and eat his feelings of
arrogance and humbly beg his people for blood to sustain
his immortal life.
For players, these long-term unbindings are of course
unrealistic, but you could consider letting the big acts count
enough for these purposes. If players set out to figure out
how to unbind themselves, you might do well simply
hinting at the attraction factor, and let the players' creativity
take it from there.
Appendix C
Vestige resources Yog's table of transformations
Fekre's Table of Poisons For each transformation, consider how the characters body
d8 -- Extracted posion must conform to allow for such a mutation and describe it
properly. Help your player understand and enact it. Use a
1-5 Brown Ichor: The target must succeed on a DC: 10
CON save or suffer the poisoned condition for 1
d12 in stage three and include both tables. Reroll if getting
minute. the same result twice.
6- Red Ichor: The target must succeed on a DC: 12 d6/d12 Beast d12 Monstrosity
12 CON save or suffer 4d6 poison damage, or half as 1 Bat: Keen 7 Doppelganger: Read
much on a successful save. hearing(ears) Thoughts(forehead)
13- Green Ichor: The target must succeed on a DC: 14 2 Quipper: Blood 8 Displacer beast:
17 CON save or suffer 6d6 poison damage, or half as Frenzy(eyes) Displacement(tails)
much on a successful save.
3 Winter wolf: Cold 9 Ankheg: Acid
18- Blue ichor: The target must succeed on a DC: 13 Breath (head) spray(mandibles)
19 CON save or fall unconscious. The target wakes up
if suffering damage or is otherwise physically 4 Eagle: fly 60ft 10 Nothic: Rotting
disturbed. (wings) Gaze(eye)
20 Yellow ichor: The target must succeed on a DC: 15 5 Elephant: 11 Hook Horror:
CON save or lose mobility in one of their Gore(tusks) multiattack hooks
appendages, randomly determined, for 1 minute. (hook)
6 Blink Dog:
Teleport(paws) 12 Hydra: extra Attack of
All poisons can be delivered through ingestion or injury, opportunity(head)
but lose their potency if not used after 24 hours. Keep in
mind that vampires are not immune to poison in 5e, as
other undead types. Sykane
Fekres Hand
d20 -- Disease effect Bound Spirit
1 The character suffers from the pox, as warts grow A spirit bound to the plane of the living
on your tongue and skin. They have a -3 penalty
when engaging in social interactions that include Armor Class 10
appearances. Cure with a medicine 18 check. Hit Points 25
2-6 The character start to become stiff in their joints Speed 30ft.
and will after 10 minutes be petrified. This effect
lasts for one hour. Can be cured by lesser
restoration STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
7- The character falls limb and appears dead for all 8 (-1) 16 (+3) 8 (-1) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 10 (0)
12 intends and purposes, they neither breathe or have
a pumping heart. This effect disappears after 1 Damage Resistance Acid, Fire, Lightning, Thunder;
minute. Have fun scaring them. Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing From
13- The character grows a (d6:monkey, pig, donkey, Nonmagical Attacks
18 cat, lizard, wolf) tail. Condition Immunities Charmed, Exhaustion,
Frightened, Grappled, Paralyzed, Petrified,
19- After the next long rest, the character develops a Poisoned, Prone, Restrained
20 secondary personality that behaves opposites the Senses Darkvision 60, passive perception 12
characters norm, or with such traits as the DM Languages Common
decides.
Ethereal movement The bound spirit may move
through solid objects at half movement. Ending a
turn inside an object incurs 2d12 unreducable
psychic damage.

Actions
Ethereal Touch Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit,
reach 5ft., one target. Hit 9 (2d6 + 2) necrotic
damage.
Tenebrous
Roll a d12 to determine the Arcane Mishap.
Arcane Mishaps
Tastiness Cookie Type
1 A mysterious arcane link expands between the caster and the nearest intelligent target within 60ft. The two
exhange control of their characters bodies and both take 1d10 psychic damage. (secret) This effect remains
until the distance between them grows to beyond 60ft or either falls unconscious or asleep. When the effect
ends, both characters take 1d10 psychic damage again.
2 Energy sizzles from the casters palm to the room, animating 1d4 objects of the DMs choosing that are hostile
to all.
3 The caster is affected by Otto's Irresistable Dance for up to 1 minute. This can be broken at the end of their
turn by beating a DC 16 Wisdom safe.
4 All creatures within 30 feet of the caster (including the caster) is randomly affected by either an Enlarge or
Reduce spell for 1 minute.
5 The nearest doorway is hit by arcane energies and functions as a gate to another doorway in Barovia as
determined by the DM for 1d4 days.
6 The caster teleports to a point specified by the DM or randomly determined within 120 feet.
7 1d6+2 Sheep appear within 30 feet of the caster. Their bodies plop out of existence upon death.
8 A Flumph appears within 30 feet of the caster. It is confused but not hostile until hurt.
9 The room or area around the caster up to 60 feet away transforms into an illusion of somewhere else in the
multiverse, determined by the DM. This could be anything at all, like the court of a deity or the nursery of a
poor-house. This effect lasts 10 minutes. A character can differentiate illusion from reality with a DC 16
Intelligence check.
10 Choose a random creature other than the caster within 30 feet. A clone of the target creature appears
shimmering with arcane magic, sharing their stats. Roll a d4 to determine its disposition: 1: Hostile to the
caster. 2: In love with the caster. 3: Childlike treating the caster as a parent. 4: The diamtrical opposite of the
cloned creature. This clone disappears after 10 minutes.
11 The intended spell fires, but target or point of impact is determined randomly
12 The caster must instead cast a spell they know of one level lower than the spell-slot they used. (without
expending a new spellslot)

Links and resources Acknowledgements

All images used in this PDF are the property of their
respective authors, and are not meant to be released in its
final version.
The following little banner contains links to useful
resources, some of which I have used in my own sessions.
The redditpage for Curse of Strahd has topics
on almost every single thing in the campaign.
Just hit the search bar and be amazed:
https://reddit.com/r/CurseofStrahd/
MandyMod's Orphanage adventure:
https://redd.it/94llq6
DragnaCartas Fanes of Barovia:
https://redd.it/8ryr9b
I strongly recommend all new and old DMs to
gloss over this MegaThread to find even more
wonderful resources: https://redd.it/8tswyo
I would like to thank the following persons for their
feedback and criticism. I want this to be a useful resource
for anyone who wants to use the Vestiges more actively
DeposedWolf @ Curse of Strahd, Discord,
has provided a lot of constructive criticism in
regards to both wording and balancing!
Bastard @ Curse of Strahd, Discord, has
helped resolve numerous errors in the
document and given ideas to further describe
the changes in the champions appearance
and behavior!
DragnaCarta @ Curse of Strahd, Discord, has
highlighted mechanical issues in the
commitment stages and provided tips on
how to rework them!
Nock @Curse of Strahd, Discord, for
providing lots of mechanical suggestions to
help balance things out!
Marco Gonzales has made this great cover
page by commision. Can only recommend
working with him!

This work was made with the Homebrewery at Homebrewery.naturalcrit.com!