The Vistani (sing: vistana[5][6]) were a traveling people, who never stayed long in one place and were always on the move. The Vistani were renowned travelers of the Mists in the Shadowfell, which did not hinder them in the least. The Vistani originated from the Domains of Dread.[1]
Description
The Vistani had darker complexions and usually sported jet-black hair. They wore colorful and cheery clothing and were big drinkers.[1]
Traits & Abilities
Vistani were usually regarded with suspicion because of their "Evil Eye", the ability to curse anyone they looked at. While the Vistana would get a mental backlash after the curse ended, some powerful Vistani could inflict very terrible curses upon those who'd wronged them.[7]
History
The Heroes of Baldur's Gate stumble upon a Vistani camp.
According to some, the Vistani came from the same world as Strahd von Zarovich did before the mists claimed Barovia.[8] While other scholars within the Domains of Dread asserted that the place of origin for the Vistani was unknown and that they did not appear until a century later, around the same era that Jander Sunstar appeared in Barovia. Any alleged evidence of Vistani presence in Barovia prior to then was thus a scholarly mistake, confusing the domain's non-Vistani gypsies for Vistani.[9]
In the late 15th century DR, a group of Vistani came to the town of Daggerford on Toril and did not leave until a group of unfortunate adventurers accompanied them into Barovia.[10]
Also during the 15th century DR, a group of adventurers known as the Heroes of Baldur's Gate were pursuing a pair of werewolves that had robbed a temple of Kelemvor they were protecting of relics when suddenly one of them activated. An amulet, originating from Barovia, created a thick fog that began to fill the air. The fog quickly filled the room and the heroes, the Kelemvorite Nerys Kathon, along with the two werewolves and their associate Sangin, were all transported to the Demiplane of Dread.[11]
On their first day in Barovia, the heroes stumbled upon the Vistani caravan of Madame Eva. She told Minsc his fortune using the tarokka deck, foretelling of failure to rid that realm of its evil. This sent the barbarian into a rage, smashing Madam Eva's table before storming out of her tent, leaving his ally Shandie Freefoot to pay for the damages.[12]
Society
A small group of Vistani wayfarers enter a new Domain of Dread
Vistani traveled in tight-knit family groups or tribes using barrel-topped wagons[1] that they referred to as vardos.[13] Each family was part of one of three culturally distinct, extended tribal groups known as tasques.[14][15] Those encountered by adventurers from Faerûn included the Boem, who were primarily entertainers,[16] and the Kaldresh, who were dedicated to the arts of crafting and tinkering.[17]
Some Vistani would offer shelter, food, and protection for travelers and strangers alike.[2] While evil Vistani were likely help Darklords such as Strahd von Zarovich capture weary adventurers and take them into the Domains of Dread.[1]
Culture & Specialties
Vistani were known for their musical talent as well as their skill in silversmithing, coppersmithing, cooking, weaving, entertaining, storytelling, toolmaking, and horse-trading.[1]
The Book of the Raven, found in Candlekeep, was a journal about Vistani day-to-day life as well as the author's travels with them.[3]
Notable Vistani
- Ezmerelda d'Avenir[18]
- Madame Coth, a wealthy silk merchant in Ravens Bluff who settled in the city after escaping from the Domains of Dread[19]
- Marlena, a Vistani woman that assisted in the effort to cure Rengard Boltsmann of his lycanthropy, thereby ending his domain of Kirlanova and returning the city of Ravens Bluff to the Prime Material.[20]
Appendix
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Further Reading
- Christopher Perkins, Tracy Hickman, Laura Hickman (March 2016). Curse of Strahd. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 26–28. ISBN 978-0-7869-6598-4.
- Jeremy Crawford (November 17, 2020). Tasha's Cauldron of Everything. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 131. ISBN 978-0786967025.
- Christopher Perkins (March 2021). “Book of the Raven”. In Kim Mohan ed. Candlekeep Mysteries (Wizards of the Coast), p. 35. ISBN 978-0-7869-6722-3.
- F. Wesley Schneider, et al. (May 2021). Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft. Edited by Judy Bauer, Michele Carter, Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. ?. ISBN 978-0-7869-6725-4.
Appearances
Adventures
Novels & Short Stories
Comics
Video Games
Card Games
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
Scout's Honor
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Christopher Perkins, Tracy Hickman, Laura Hickman (March 2016). Curse of Strahd. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 26. ISBN 978-0-7869-6598-4.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Jeremy Crawford (November 17, 2020). Tasha's Cauldron of Everything. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 131. ISBN 978-0786967025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Christopher Perkins (March 2021). “Book of the Raven”. In Kim Mohan ed. Candlekeep Mysteries (Wizards of the Coast), p. 35. ISBN 978-0-7869-6722-3.
- ↑ F. Wesley Schneider, et al. (May 2021). Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft. Edited by Judy Bauer, Michele Carter, Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 31. ISBN 978-0-7869-6725-4.
- ↑ F. Wesley Schneider, et al. (May 2021). Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft. Edited by Judy Bauer, Michele Carter, Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 96. ISBN 978-0-7869-6725-4.
- ↑ David Wise (1995). Van Richten's Guide to the Vistani. Edited by Jonathan Caspian. (TSR, Inc.), p. 8. ISBN 0-7869-0155-1.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, Tracy Hickman, Laura Hickman (March 2016). Curse of Strahd. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 28. ISBN 978-0-7869-6598-4.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, Tracy Hickman, Laura Hickman (March 2016). Curse of Strahd. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 27. ISBN 978-0-7869-6598-4.
- ↑ William W. Connors, Steve Miller (August 1997). Domains of Dread. Edited by Miranda Horner, Cindi Rice. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 14–15. ISBN 0-7869-0672-3.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, Tracy Hickman, Laura Hickman (March 2016). Curse of Strahd. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 19–21. ISBN 978-0-7869-6598-4.
- ↑ Jim Zub (May 2016). “Shadows of the Vampire 1”. Shadows of the Vampire #1 (IDW Publishing) (1).. ISBN 9781684060856.
- ↑ Jim Zub (June 2016). “Shadows of the Vampire 2”. Shadows of the Vampire #2 (IDW Publishing) (2)..
- ↑ David Wise (1995). Van Richten's Guide to the Vistani. Edited by Jonathan Caspian. (TSR, Inc.), p. 96. ISBN 0-7869-0155-1.
- ↑ Ron Lundeen (April 2016). The Seer (DDAL04-05) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Curse of Strahd (Wizards of the Coast), p. 7.
- ↑ David Wise (1995). Van Richten's Guide to the Vistani. Edited by Jonathan Caspian. (TSR, Inc.), p. 35. ISBN 0-7869-0155-1.
- ↑ Ron Lundeen (April 2016). The Seer (DDAL04-05) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Curse of Strahd (Wizards of the Coast), p. 9.
- ↑ Ron Lundeen (April 2016). The Seer (DDAL04-05) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Curse of Strahd (Wizards of the Coast), p. 12.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, Tracy Hickman, Laura Hickman (March 2016). Curse of Strahd. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 978-0-7869-6598-4.
- ↑ Daniel S. Donnelly (May 1997). The Stars and Moon Above. Living City (RPGA), p. 2.
- ↑ Robert Wiese (August 1995). The Dogs of War. Living City (RPGA), pp. 25–26.