Items of Interest
[sblock=Dramatis Persona]
Mateush Ochem Historian of the Twelve, and nominal head of the Barovian expedition. A Karrn entering his middle age, Mateush is meticulous about his cleanliness and hygiene.
Ferrik Dalboran d'Sivis A Sivis heir of some minor standing, was meant to provide contact with the outside world. Killed in the wolf attack on the caravan.
Adalstan d'Cannith A well humored Aundarian with close cropped curls and a mischievous smile. Not well liked by the Karnn Cannith faction being tacitly associated with Cannith North due to his heritage, and was 'honored' with his place on the expedition as a consequence. Provide artificing services as needed.
Ismark the Lesser Son of the Burogmaster of Barovia and now its nominal head. A pale man of dark hair who harbors fine fur clothes with rich trimming in a country style. Known for his dark humor, and is harboring a lot of ill will since his father's death. Recently disappeared.
Arik Dazed proprietor of the Blood on the Vine inn in Barovia.
Tobias Gorzen Deneith mercenary guard for the expedition. Former companion of Ladreth. Killed in the zombie incursion.
Andrzej Crotchety elder farmer on the outsides of Barovia. Father of Katrina.
Katrina Fetching young farmer identified by a bright red head-scarf. Daughter of Andrzej.
Sir Urik Boisterous warrior against the ills of Barovia. Last of the Knights of the Raven, an ancient Barovian order. Once again accompanied by the raven Hurrn.
Madam Eva Soothsayer of the Visanti. A true seer that read the fortunes of the party.
Father Danovich Former priest of the Barovian church, feel into madness and corruption at the death of son. Somehow responsible for the necromantic plague. Killed by Janis for his part in Orwell's death.
The Monstrosity An unnatural stitching together of corpses, it was the source of the zombie plague and Danovich's creation. May have once been the priest's son Doru. Destroyed by the party.
Mad Mary Smothering mother of Gertrude, her daughter that disappeared before the troubles in town. Apparently mentally cracked.
Ireena Supposed daughter of the Burgomaster, she seems more able than her morose 'brother.' Possibly has some sort of dealings with a mysterious stranger calling himself the new Lord of Barovia.
Bildrath Owner of the only shop in town. A prickly sort, not made any better by the death of his nephew Perriwimple.
Saint Ecaterina A famed near-martyr in Karrn's cause, founded several monasteries, one of them on Lysaga Hill. Disappeared, apparently having died after going mad at seeing the Lysaga monastery despoiled.
Sergei ir'Zarovich Supposed new Lord of Barovia and descendant of the ir'Zarovich line. Possibly in a relationship with Ireena.
The Green Crone Mysterious figure seeking to free a dark power to take over Barovia.
The Mad Nymph Apparent leader of the Barovian lycanthropes. A beautiful fey twisted by madness in a lair at once otherworldly and foul. Slain by the party.
Vincent Korr d'Deneith A Deneith mercenary whose brother was killed by a tainted Khensu during the lycan attack on Barovia. May be infected with lycanthropy.[/sblock][sblock=Taint Rules]Taint is supernatural corruption of the body and mind. Though virtuous heroes attempt to fight it off, even the most stalwart hero's body and soul can be corrupted.
Taint is measured by two scores: Corruption (physical) and Depravity (mental). Tainted places, creatures, or scenes may cause it. As taint accumulates, various bad side effects occur.
Religious organizations know of ways to fight off or protect against taint, though it is difficult to identify. Here is what is known.
- When first exposed, restorative magic (restoration, etc.) can lessen taint. This must be done soon to remove the taint, and can prevent spilling over into the next level of taint. However, if it settles in (a day), only a miracle or wish lessen this level.
- Other spells (atonement, remove curse, etc.) can reduce taint. It cannot remove taint below its currently level (its too ingrained).
- There are rituals of certain faith that can reduce taint. Mental depravity can be reduced with week long rituals, while time in a sacred spring can reduce corruption.
- There are certain sacred substances that can help protect from taint; but they only last for so long. Some might be found in the caravan... or perhaps in the ruined Barovian church.[/sblock][sblock=Handouts][sblock=Letter from Burgomaster]
Hail to thee of might and valor:
I, a lowly servant of the township of Barovia, send honor to thee. We plead for thy so desperately needed assistance within our community.
The love of my life, Ireena Kolyana, has been cursed by the ancient witches of Lysaga Hill, and even the good people of our town are powerless to free her from this enchantment. She wastes away under the witches' curse and I would have her saved from this menace.
There is much wealth in this community. I offer all that might be had to thee and thy fellows if thou shalt but answer my desperate plea.
Come quickly, for her time is at hand! All that I have shall be thine!
Kolyan Indirovich
Burgomaster of Barovia
[/sblock][/sblock][sblock=Maps]
Ashyln's Sketched Map of Barovia
Ismark's Map
[/sblock][sblock=The Lightbringers]
Guild: The Lightbringers are an expansive guild of undead hunters that readily hands out charter memberships to anyone who wants to stamp out undead. The Lightbringers have no central headquarters. Most Lightbringers are worshipers of the Sovereign Host, with reverence of Dol Arrah forefront. Some worshipers of the Silver Flame have membership in the Lightbringers, seeing it as another manifestation of the Flame's workings.
Symbol: The Lightbringers' symbol is a stylized half-sun, half-moon disc.
Credo: "Suffer no false life."
Being a Lightbringer: The Lightbringers' organization requires a prospective member to have 4 ranks in at least one of several associated skills (see below). The guild accepts all classes, levels, and races. Initiation fee and annual dues are 100gp. Every guild member makes a commitment to slay undead (level of commitment is up to the member).
Associated skills: Concentration, Gather Information, Heal, Knowledge History, Knowledge Local, and Knowledge Religion.
Benefits: Guildmembers receive the following benefits:
- Food and lodging at an affiliated Temple in a large city
- 10% discount on guild services
- One free restoration spell per week from an affiliated temple
- +2 bonus on Diplomacy and Gather Info on fellow guild members
- Can request aid from affiliated temples to fight undead
- Bards, Clerics, Paladins, and Rogues receive optional substitution levels
Substitution Levels: Members of the Lightbringers may possess the following class substitution levels. They may be taken at the appropriate class level. Characters who have already leveled past the given level, may retrain when leveling-up at the cost of 25 XP * the level of the ability.
[sblock=Bard Substitution Levels]
Bard 1st: Undead Bardic Knowledge replaces bardic knowledge. You may use a bardic knowledge-like check, but only against undead. You gain a +5 circumstance bonus on this check. You can use this in addition to a Knowledge (religion) check to learn about an undead creature or some other bit uf undead lore.
Bard 1st: Inspire turning replaces inspire competence. By spending a bardic music use, you may bolster the turning (or destroying) attempt of one ally within 30 ft. who can here you. The ally is treated as being two levels higher for the purpose of turning undead as long as they hear your performance. The effect duration is concetration, up to 2 minutes. It is a supernatural, mind-affecting ability.
Bard 6th: Repel Domination replaces the
suggestion ability. You gain a +2 bonus on saving throws vs. mind-affecting spells or abilities from undead questions. Furthermore, if you succeed on the saving throw, the undead is shaken for the rest of the encounter.[/sblock][sblock=Cleric Substitution levels]
Cleric 1st: Destroy Undead replaces Turn Undead, see Complete Divine p. 87 variant rule. It is a supernatural ability.
Cleric 1st: True Daylight replaces one domain granted power. Use one Turn Undead to power up a casting of the
daylight spell. This special
daylight spell lasts 1d4 rounds and has only 10' radius. However, it acts like true daylight for affecting vampires and other light-sensitive creatures. This is an extraordinary ability.
Cleric 1st: Positive Healing replaces one domain granted power. Use one Turn Undead to gain fast healing 2 for five rounds. This is a supernatural ability.[/sblock][sblock=Paladin Substitution levels][Paladin 1st: Detect Undead replaces Detect Evil. Finds undead only. Similar to the spell
detect evil[/u], except that you don't need to concentrate for multiple rounds to determine exact number/location instead information is immediately available. This is a spell-like ability.
Paladin 3rd: Dol Arrah's/The Flame's Blessing replaces Divine Health. Smite Evil gets an extra bonus vs. undead: +2 to attack and +1 point of damage per two paladin levels. This is an extraordinary ability.
Paladin 6th: Warded Special Mount replaces one weekly use of remove disease. A Lightbringer's paladin mount is immune to all death spells, magical death effects, energy drain, and any negative energy effects.[/sblock][sblock=Rogue Substitution levels]Rogue 3rd: Penetrating Strike replaces trap sense. Whenever you flank a creature that is immune to sneak attack damage, you still inflict half of your sneak attack damage as bonus dice. If you can't flank them (i.e. Beholders, etc.) or they are flat-footed, then you do not get bonus damage dice -- you must flank the creature which is immune to sneak attack in order to get bonus damage under this rule. This is an extraordinary ability.[/sblock][/sblock][sblock=New Alchemical Items]Alchemical Flare Bolts Crossbow bolts with a mixture of phosophorous, silver, and garlic. Do an additional 1d6 fire damage to corporeal undead. Weight: 1 lb. per 10. Cost: 150 gp (10 bolts).
Alchemical Fiare Stakes Dagger-like weapons destroyed after a use. Do an additional 1d6 fire damage to struck corporeal undead until removed (a standard action that provokes an attack of opportunity). All stakes are removed with a single action. Weight: 1 lb. per 10. Cost: 150 gp (10 stakes).
Alchemical Sun Flash A sealed flask with the power of daylight. A splash weapon with increment 10 ft. Does 1d6 fire damage (1 splash). It also cause a brilliant flash within 10 ft and a brilliant light for 100 ft for a second. Creatures in the flash zone with light sensitivity or similar weakness are dazzled for one round. Vampires and others that are powerless in sunlight are limited to standard actions for one round. Weight: 1 lb. Cost: 50 gp[/sblock][sblock=Fortunes of Ravenloft]
- The Sunsword A weapon of power, lost in the woods. Only to awaken in a lost tomb.
- The Holy Symbol of Ravenkind Now a tool of witches, to be found where they roam. Must be cleansed at its origin chapel.
- Tome of Strahd Holds the secrets to the Curse on the land, and a part of how to destroy it.
- Zombies The source of the zombie plague, and its destruction.
- The Unasked Question Unknown. Eva indicated that the group will be back 'to ask their last question.'
[/sblock]
