Page 21 - Curse of Strahd_Neat

Stanimir is joined by his daughter, Damia (CN male
Duchess Morwen of Daggerford is having guests for din­ human spy), and his son, Ratka (CN male human ban­
ner-and you are invited. No strangers to Daggerford, dit captain). Nine other Vistani (CN male and female
you have come to the town's defense on more than one bandits) heed Ratka's commands. The six draft horses
occasion, and you count Lady Morwen as a friend and a are used to pull the Vistani wagons, which contain their
benefactor. belongings but nothing of value.
A cool autumn breeze blows through the streets as THE DANCING FIRE
you make your way to the keep. As you dine on hot, spicy Stanimir introduces himself and welcomes the char­
soup and tenderly cooked pheasant, you can tell that the acters to his camp. If they deliver Duchess Morwen's
duchess seems more out of sorts than usual. Then a pall warning, read:
comes over the occasion as she voices her concern about
a band of wayward travelers camped outside the town's Stanimir laughs. "Don't worry. We have no wish to make
walls. They seemed harmless at first, but Morwen has enemies of Lady Morwen. I have a story to tell all of you.
received reports that they have begun harassing towns­ First you listen, then we go."
folk and other visitors as they come and go, demanding
money and wine, and threatening to put hexes on anyone If the characters agree to hear Stanimir's story, he in­
who doesn't pay up. vites them to gather around the fire and hear his tale:
Yesterday, the duchess ordered several guards to scare
away the mysterious visitors, but they couldn't get the Stanimir fills his mouth with wine, then spits into the fire.
job done. When the guards returned, they spoke sympa­ The flames turn from orange to green. As they dance and
thetically about the visitors. It seemed as if the guards sway, a dark shape appears in the bonfire's core.
had been magically charmed. "We come from an ancient land whose name is long
Morwen doesn't want an armed conflict, but she aims forgotten-a land of kings. Our enemies forced us from
to send a stern message to the visitors and asks you to our homes, and now we wander the lost roads."
deliver it on her behalf. "If they don't leave before dawn," The dark shape in the fire takes the form of a man be­
she says, "I'll burn their wagons to the ground." ing knocked from his horse, a spear piercing his side.
Stanimir continues. "One night, a wounded soldier
The characters are asked to deliver Duchess Morwen's staggered into our camp and collapsed. We nursed his
message immediately after dinner. terrible injury and quenched his thirst with wine. He
The travelers are camped on the hill outside the gates survived. When we asked him who he was, he wouldn't
of Daggerford, near the road. Guards atop the walls
watch the camp closely at all hours. say. All he wanted was to return home, but we were deep
When the characters approach the camp, read: in the land of his enemies. We took him as one of our
own and followed him back toward his homeland. His
enemies hunted him. They said he was a prince, yet we
As the evening grows dark, you see a dozen men and
women gathered around a crackling bonfire. The folk are didn't give him up, even when their assassins fell upon
in good spirits. A few of them sing and dance around the us like wolves."
fire while others find happiness in their flasks and wine­ Deep in the bonfire, you see the dark figure standing
skins. Three barrel-topped wagons are parked at odd an­ with sword drawn, fighting off a host of shadowy shapes.
gles. Tied to a nearby tree, grazing, are half a dozen draft "This man of royal blood fought to protect us, as we
horses wearing bright coats with bangles and tassels. protected him. We bore him safely to his home, and he
thanked us. He said, 'I owe you my life. Stay as long as
you wish, leave when you choose, and know that you will
The men and women are Vistan"i.They have no interest always be safe here."'
in Daggerford. Their orders are to,deiiver.the characters
safely to Barovia. · :, .. /� ... ·. . · · .. , .. The figure in the dancing fire vanquishes its final foe,
The leader of this group_is Stariiinir.'(8� male human), then disperses in a cloud of smoke and embers.
an old man with the statistics bf.a mage who has the Stanimir's face becol')1es a somber mask. "A curse has
following spells prep' �red: · befallen our noble prince, turning him into a tyrant. We
Cantrips (at will): friends, light, mage hand, prestidigitation alone have the power to leave his domain. We've traveled
1st level (4 slots): charm person, mage armor, shield, sleep far and wide to find heroes such as yourselves to end our
. 2nd level (3 slots): misty step, suggestion dread lord's curse and put his troubled soul to rest. Our
3rd level (3 slots): bestow curse, phantom steed, vampiric touch
4th level (3 slots): greater invisibility, stoneskin leader, Madam Eva, knows all. Will you return to Barovia
5th level (1 slot): dominate person with us and speak with her?"

CHAPTER l I INTO THE MlSTS
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