Page 229 - Curse of Strahd_Neat

Other Mother. When Strahd was still a baby in his
crib, Baba Lysaga cast protective spells on him and
crept into his nursery on stormy nights to sing magical
rhymes to him. She also placed the "spark of magic" in
him, ensuring that he would become a spellcaster.
Baba Lysaga's unhealthy attachment to the baby
Strahd did not go unnoticed. After she received several
disturbing reports, Queen Ravenovia was forced to ban­
ish the midwife from the kingdom. Lysaga never saw
Strahd again, but she has succeeded in staying alive
to witness the triumphs of her beloved boy, who, in her
mind, is eternally blessed. Despite the horrors Strahd
has wrought, Lysaga still envisions him as the perfect
child she delivered into the world. Strahd is the only
thing in her life that matters to her.
Mother Nearest. During her exile, Baba Lysaga made
countless sacrifices to Mother Night, pleading with the
goddess to afflict Queen Ravenovia with ill health and
visit death upon her. Lysaga eventually got her wish,
and after Strahd settled in the valley of Barovia, Lysaga
moved as close to him as she dared to.
In the filth-ridden depths of her heart, Lysaga knows
that Strahd would never accept her as his true mother,
BABA LYSAGA nor could she bear his rejection. As a result, she has
Two women gave life to Strahd von Zarovich. The first never confronted him. She would rather exist in per­
petual denial, whiling away the days, months, and
was Queen Ravenovia van Roeyen, Strahd's biological years practicing fell magic and looking for ways to help
mother. The second was the queen's midwife, a devout her "son."
follower of Mother Night named Baba Lysaga. Although Raven Bane. Baba Lysaga has allies in Castle Raven­
it was the former who raised Strahd and enabled him loft-a coven of witches. Through the aid of these
to follow in his father's footsteps, it was the latter witches, Lysaga recently uncovered a potential threat to
who sensed a potential for greatness and darkness in Strahd: a secret society of wereravens ca lied the Keep­
Strahd surpassing that of any other mortal. Lysaga ers of the Feather, a group that uses ordinary ravens as
believed then, as she believes now, that she is Strahd's their spies.
true mother.

BABALYSAGA hit with spell attacks). Baba Lysaga has the following wizard
Medium humanoid (human, shapechanger), chaotic evil spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): acid splash.fire bolt, light, mage hand, pres-
Armor Class 15 (natural armor) tidigitation
Hit Points 120 (l 6d8 + 48) 1st level (4 slots): detect magic, magic missile, sleep, witch bolt
Speed 30 ft. 2nd level (3 slots): crown of madness, enlarge/reduce, misty step
3rd level (3 slots): dispel magic,fireba/1, lightning bolt
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 4th level (3 slots): blight, Evard's black tentacles, polymorph
18 (+4) 10 (+O) 16 (+3} 20 (+5) 17 (+3) 13 (+l) 5th level (2 slots): cloudki/1, geas, scrying
6th level (1 slot): programmed illusion, true seeing
Saving Throws Wis +7 7th level (1 slot): finger of death, mirage arcane
Skills Arcana +13, Religion +13 8th level (1 slot): power word stun
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages Abyssal, Common, Draconic, Dwarvish, Giant ACTIONS
Challenge 11 (7,200 XP) Multiattack. Baba Lysaga makes three attacks with her
quarterstaff.
Shapechanger. Baba Lysaga can use an action to polymorph Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
into a swarm of insects (flies), or back into her true form. While target. Hit: 7 (ld6 + 4) bludgeoning damage, or 8 (ld8 + 4)
in swarm form, she has a walking speed of 5 feet and a flying bludgeoning damage if wielded with two hands.
speed of 30 feet. Anything she is wearing transforms with her,
but nothing she is carrying does. Summon Swarms of Insects (Recharges after a Short or long
Rest). Baba Lysaga summons ld4 swarms of insects. A sum­
Blessing of Mother Night. Baba Lysaga is shielded against divi­ moned swarm appears in an unoccupied space within 60 feet
nation magic, as though protected by a nondetection spell. of Baba Lysaga and acts as her ally. It remains until it dies or
Spellcasting. Baba Lysaga is a 16th-level spellcaster. Her until Baba Lysaga dismisses it as an action.
spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 17, +9 to