Page 120 - Curse of Strahd_Neat

NB. TOWN S Q UARE so, Izek rallies the town guards (twenty-four in all) and
orders the characters to leave town at once or suffer the
consequences. If the characters stand their ground, Izek
The shops and homes that enclose the town square orders the guards to beat them into submission, seize
are decorated with limp, tattered garlands and painted their weapons, and cast them out ofVallaki to be "food
for the wolves."
wooden boxes filled with tiny, dead flowers. At the north If the characters are exiled from Vallaki without their
end of the square stands a row of stocks, locked in which weapons, the Keepers of the Feather (see area N2)
are several men, women, and children wearing crude, snatch the party's belongings from under Izek's nose
plaster donkey heads. and see them safely returned to the characters.
In the center of the square, peasants in patchwork If the guards fall to waylay the characters, Izek (if he's
clothes eye you suspiciously as they use cups and vases still around) flees to the burgomaster's mansion, giving
the characters the run of the town. The townsfolk lock
to draw water from a crumbling stone fountain. Standing themselves in their homes, fearful that the characters
tall at the center of the fountain is a gray statue of an aim to murder them.
impressive man facing west. All around the square are
posted proclamations: N9. VISTANI CAMP
Several footpaths and horse trails lead to this location in
Come one, come all, the woods southwest of Vallaki.
to the greatest celebration of the year:
THE WOLF'S HEAD JAMBOREE!
Attendance and children required. The woods part to reveal an expansive clearing: a small,
Pikes will be provided. grass-covered hill with low houses built into its sides.
ALL WILL BE WELL! Fog obscures the details, but you can see that these
-The Baron- buildings feature elegantly carved woodwork and have
decorative lanterns hanging from their sculpted eaves.
Atop the hill, above the fog, is a ring of barrel-topped
The Wolf's Head Jamboree has already occurred, mak­ wagons that surround a large tent with a column of
ing the square's proclamations out of date. If the charac­
ters linger, they see the burgomaster's henchman, lzek smoke pouring out through a hole in the top. The tent
Strazni (see appendix D), arrive with two town guards. is brightly lit from within. Even at this distance, you can
Izek orders one guard to tear down all of the old procla­ smell the odors of wine and horses that emanate from
mations while the other posts the following new one: this central area.

COME ONE, COME ALL, This natural clearing serves as a permanent campsite
to the greatest celebration of the year: for the Vistani and their dusk elf allies.
THE FESTIVAL OF THE BLAZING SUN!
Attendance and children required. ROLEPLAYING THE VISTANI AND THE ELVES
Use the following information to roleplay the Vistani
Rain or shine. and the dusk elves that occupy the camp.
ALL WILL BE WELL! Vistani. The Vistani in this camp all serve Strahd.
-The Baron- The elders have died, leaving a pair of brothers named
Luvash and Arrigal in charge. Both men are evil and
willing to do whatever Strahd demands of them.
Most Vallakians have no idea whom the statue in the These Vistani have two problems. First, Luvash's
square represents. The burgomaster claims it is Boris seven-year-old daughter, Arabelle, recently disappeared
Vallakovich, his ancestor and the town's founder, but from the camp. Consequently, half of the Vistani are out
there's no noticeable family resemblance. searching for her when the characters arrive. Second,
DONKEY-HEADED CRIMINALS the Vistani have exhausted their supply of wine and are
eager to obtain more. Characters who help them with
The townsfolk in the stocks were arrested for "malicious either problem earn the Vistani's respect.
unhappiness" (spreading negative opinions about the Dusk Elves. The dusk elf rcic!! is all but forgotten, and
upcoming festival). An iron padlock secures each set of the few survivors live in secret places such as this. They
_
stocks, and Izek Strazni carries the keys on an iron ring. · have dark skin and hair, but ejherwise they are similar
Three men, two women,.and two boys are trapped in t� wood elves (as described fo the Playr's Handbook).
the stocks-all of them tired, wet, and famished. The five . . . One.of Strahd's old brides, �qt,rinaVeii!{ovna, used to
adults have the statistics of human commoners, and the . liveJiere. Her brother, l.(asimii-Velfkov,)till does. · •..
children are noncom"bat�nts. The plaster donkey heads . .The dusk elve·s reside in small hom�s·built into tbe.
·
they wear are meant to eµcqurage ridicule. · hillsid� and. a're m�stiy seif-sllfficient. They are skilled
Freeing one or more prisoners without the baron's . ·-., trackers, and many qf them are· awaj frcim. camp when
. , �
.
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consent is a crime . If the, �haracters are witnessed doing :the �haracters arrive,helping the \7fsiani sea'rcb for
.
.
. . .· � � .
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CHAPTER. 5 I.THE TOWN OF VALLAKl