Page 44 - Curse of Strahd_Neat

AREAS OF THE VILLAGE
The following areas correspond to labels on the map of lSM/\RK TME LESSER
the village of Barovia on page 42.

El. BILDRATH'S MERCANTILE

The sparse light from this building spills out from behind
drawn heavy curtains. A sign over the door, creaking on
its hinges, reads "Bildrath's Mercantile."

The establishment is 70 feet long by 40 feet wide. The
owner, Bildrath Cantemir (LN male human commoner),
sells items from the Adventuring Gear table in the Play­
er's Handbook, but only items with a price lower than 25
gp in the table, and he sells them for ten times the price.
Bildrath trades with the Vistani when they pass
through. He is also happy to make a profit from any
strangers unlucky enough to find themselves here. He
serves his own interests and offers no sanctuary. He
never bargains since, as he says, "If you want it badly
enough, you'll pay for it." He has no competition in
the village.
If the characters give Bildrath a hard time, he calls
Parriwimple (LG male human), his nephew and stock­
boy, to help him out. Parriwimple has the statistics of
a gladiator, except that he has an Intelligence of 6 and Ismark isn't a typically dour Barovian. He invites the
doesn't carry a shield (AC 14). Parriwimple's real name characters to join him, offers to pay for their wine, and
is Parpol Cantemir, but no one in the village calls him asks for their aid in protecting his adopted sister, Ireena
that. His muscles rippling beneath his leather tunic Kolyana. If they agree to help, he takes them to the bur­
should give ample notice of his strength. At the same gomaster's residence (area E4). He wants the characters
time, Parriwimple is simple-minded. He is devoted to to help him escort Ireena to Vallaki, a settlement in the
his uncle and will not follow the characters as long as heart of the valley, beyond the view of Castle Raven loft
Bildrath has something to say about it. and (he hopes) beyond the reach of Strahd. Ismark
knows that moving Ireena is a gamble, since she's vul­
E2. BLOOD OF THE VINE TAVERN nerable to Strahd when she is outside their home, but he
has heard assertions that Vallaki is well defended.
Ismark is as tight-lipped as any of the other Barovian
A single shaft of light thrusts illumination into the main villagers, unless the talk deals with Ireena or Strahd.
square, its brightness looking like a solid pillar in the Ismark knows everything the other villagers know. He
heavy fog. Above the gaping doorway, a sign hangs pre­ also knows that, for some unknown reason, Strahd is
cariously askew, proclaiming this to be the Blood on the attracted to Ireena and desires her above all others.
Vine tavern. If you used the "Plea for Help" adventure hook and
the characters show Ismark the letter they received, he
knows the burgomaster's handwriting well enough to
The tavern building is about 60 feet square. Close in­ confirm that the letter was not written by his father.
spection of the sign reveals that it originally read "Blood Ismark has spent most of his adult life training with
of the Vine." (An "n" has been scratched over with the weapons in the hope of one day confronting and killing
"f.") This once finely appointed tavern has grown shoddy the Strahd. If the characters suggest that he accompany
over the years. A blazing fire in the hearth gives scant them, Ismark agrees provided that Ireena is first taken
warmth to the few huddled souls within. They include to a place of safety. As long as Ismark accompanies the
the barkeep, three Vistani sitting together, and a man characters, he acts as a party member for the purpose of
named Ismark Kolyanovich-who happens to be the son determining each character's share of experience points
of the village burgomaster, Kolyan lndirovich. (though he gains no experience points himself).

ROLEPLAYING !SMARK RoLEPLAYING THE OTHER NPCs
Ismark (LG male human veteran) is a young man who Use the following information to roleplay the other
sits by himself at a corner table, sipping his wine. Other NPCs in the tavern.
villagers call him "lsmark the Lesser" because he has Arik the Barkeep. A pudgy little man named Arik
lived in the shadow of his father for most of his life. Lorensk (CN male human commoner) tends bar.

CHAPTER 3 I THE VILLAGE OF BAROVlA 43
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