Page 29 - Curse of Strahd_Neat

Strahd conquered this land centuries ago and named The target is unable to perform a certain kind of act
it after his father, King Barov. Strahd uses wolves, involving fine motor control, such as tying knots, writ­
bats, and other creatures to spy on all of his realm. ing, playing an instrument, sewing, or casting spells
• Barovians are simple, frightened people. Some have that have somatic components. When this curse ends,
old souls, but many do not. The soulless ones are easy the Vistana takes ld6 psychic damage.
to spot, for they know nothing but fear. They have no , The target's appearance changes in a sinister yet
charm, hope, or spark, and they don't cry. purely cosmetic way. For example, the curse can place
, The Old Svalich Road passes through Strahd's do­ a scar on the target's face, turn the target's teeth into
main. Three settlements lie on the road like beads on yellow fangs, or give the target bad breath. When this
a string: Krezk to the west, Vallaki in the heart of the curse ends, the Vistana it takes ld6 psychic damage.
valley, and Barovia to the east. Strahd has spies in , A nonmagical item in the target's possession (chosen
each settlement. by the DM) disappears and can't be found until the
, There's an old windmill on the road between the vil­ curse ends. The lost item can weigh no more than 1
lage ofBarovia and the town ofVallaki. It should be pound. When this curse ends, the Vistana takes ld6
avoided at all costs! (The Vistani refuse to say more.) psychic damage.
, It is wise to stick to the road. Wild druids, wayward The target gains vulnerability to a damage type of the
ghosts, and packs of wolves and werewolves haunt the Vistana's choice. When this curse ends, the Vistana
Svalich Woods. takes 3d6 psychic damage.
The target has disadvantage on ability checks and
BELIEFS AND SUPERSTITIONS saving throws tied to one ability score of the Vistana's
The Vistani have deep-rooted beliefs and superstitions choice. When this curse ends, the Vistana takes 3d6
that they pass down from one generation to the next: psychic damage.
The souls of those who die in Barovia can't escape to The target's attunement to one magic item (chosen by
the afterlife. They are prisoners in Strahd's domain. the DM) ends, and the target can't attune to the cho­
, Some Vistani women are blessed with prescience. Of sen item until the curse ends. When this curse ends,
all the great Vistani fortune-tellers, none compares the Vistana takes Sd6 psychic damage.
to Madam Eva. If knowledge of the future is what you • The target is blinded, deafened, or both. When this
seek, Madam Eva will tell you your fate. curse ends, the Vistana takes Sd6 psychic damage.
A prescient Vistana can't see her own future or
the future of another Vistana. It is the burden of EVIL EYE
the Vistani's great gift that their own fates can't As an action, a Vistana can target a creature within 10
be divined. feet that the Vistana can see. This magical ability, which
Vistani curses are potent, but they are invoked with the Vistani call the Evil Eye, duplicates the duration and
great caution. Vistani know that to curse one who is
effect of the animal friendship, charm person, or hold
undeserving of such punishment can have grave con­ person spell (Vistana's choice), but requires neither so­
sequences for the one who utters such a curse. matic nor material components. The spell save DC is 8
, Ravens carry lost souls within them, so killing one is + the caster's proficiency bonus+ the caster's Charisma
bad luck. (The ravens don't carry souls within.)
modifier. If the target succeeds on the save, the Vistana
VISTANI CURSES is blinded until the end of the Vistana's next turn.
A Vistana who uses Evil Eye can't use it again before
A Vistana, regardless of age, can use an action to utter a finishing a short or long rest. Once a target succeeds on
curse. The curse targets another creature within 30 feet a saving throw against a Vistana's Evil Eye, it is immune
that the Vistana can see. The Vistana can't utter another to the Evil Eye of all Vistani for 24 hours.
such curse before finishing a long rest.
The curse is a repayment for an injustice or a slight. RANDOM ENCOUNTERS
The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw
to avoid the curse. The saving throw DC is 8 + the Dangers abound in the land of Barovia. Check for a
Vistana's proficiency bonus+ the Vistana's Charisma random encounter after every 30 minutes that.the ad­
modifier. The curse lasts until ended with a remove venturers spend on the roads or in the wil.derness (don't
curse spell, a greater restoration $pell, or similar magic. check if they have already had two random encounters
It doesn't end when the target dies. If a cursed target is outdoors in the past 12 hours):.
returned to life, the curse remains in effect.. If the characters are on a road, an encounter occurs
·
When the curse ends, the Vistana soffers a harmful on a roll of 18 or higher on a d20.
psychic backlash. The amount of this psychic damage , If the characters are in the wilderness, an encounter
depends on the severity of the curse that was invoked. occurs on a roll of 15 or higher <:>n a d20.
The Vistana chooses the curse's effect from the If an encounter occurs, roll on the daytime or the night­
options that follow; other Vistani curses are possible. time.encounter table, depending on the time, or have
All such effects deal psychic damage to the Vistani who Strahd's spies appear (see the "Strahd's Spies" sidebar).
uttered them when they end:

CHAPTER 2 J THE LANDS OF BAROVIA
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