The Ionelus Family - What the Common Serf might know
The extensive Ionelus Family is the leading family of this tiny village. This influential family owns almost the entire village, from the famous Vallaki orchards to the terraced farms around the town. Just about every peasant in the village is a serf underneath the Ionelus family. The Ionelus are famous for being crafty, scheming, but ultimately fair.
The family did not inherit their immense power. These holdings once belonged to the Roche family, who were ousted at the behest of Strahd. The Roche family swiftly fell into ruin after their removal from office, but it is rumored that some of their members still lurk about Barovia...
Nicolai Ionelus (DEAD)
Nicolai is the canny burgomaster of Vallaki, winning his position through guile and political cunning. When Strahd swept down and removed the Pratori from office, Nicolai was there to fill the vacuum. Nicolai is well known for being gruff, callous, but also fair. He has his hands involved in just about everything that goes on in Vallaki.
Rumors: Nicolai sits aging upon his throne, worried about the future of his family. He was grooming young Nicolai the Lesser to take his place as burgomaster until his death to the Gundarakite rebellion. Something that was causing a stir within the community, because Nicolai is apparently was not giving his position to Vladimir, the eldest son. While most don’t blame Nicolai for his appointment, it is considered a serious breech of tradition.
UPDATE: Nicolai Ionelus was bedridden for the better part of a year, his health incredibly poor. Word spread that, eventually, he succumbed to whatever illness overtook him.
Vladimir Ionelus (DEAD)
Vladimir is a savage, reckless noble who grew up spoiled from birth. Today, Vladimir is only respected for his family name, which he throws around like a weapon. Vladimir likes nothing more than to intimidate and cajole others, no doubt finding pleasure in the domination of those who cannot fight back. Vladimir Ionelus covets his father's position more than ever, finally seeing that there's no other substitute than himself and the unlikeliness of Nadia being given the position.
Rumors: It is well known that Vladimir covets his father’s position, and while he deeply suspected that this position would not be forthcoming before his brother Nicolai the Lesser dead, as General, he now sees himself as rightful heir of the seat of burgomaster.
UPDATE: When Nicolai Ionelus became ill, Vladimir named himself "acting burgomaster" for a time, bringing a reign of terror to Vallaki that made him widely unpopular. He was captured by men associated with Lord Ivan Wachter, and transported to his estate, where he remained until executed by the boyar, who was, in turn, executed for bestowing justice that was never his to give.
Gaelia Ionelus-Wachter (DEAD)
The beaten and worn wife of Vladimir, Gaelia spends most of her time apologizing for her husband’'s behavior and keeping her son and daughter out of prison. Her marriage to Vladimir was purely political, and it is evident that the two have little love for each other. Gaelia may be shy and quiet, but the years of abuse have stoked a latent fire within her.
Rumors: Gaelia is very protective of her youngest child, Mimeti. It is well known that she lives and breathes for this strange child.
UPDATE: Gaelia Ionelus-Wachter supposedly met her end at the hands of a monster, a demon from the depths of Iadul, if the official word is to be believed.
Matthias and Shara Ionelus (MISSING)[
If the sins of the father are carried on by his children, then the sins of Vladimir Ionelus are carried ten-fold through these his two children. These twin terrors have long plagued the village of Vallaki with their excesses. Both are known to be borderline psychotics, with a penchant for getting into reckless fights and numerous duels. If it weren’t for their family name, both would have been long since hung by now.
Rumors: Matthais and Shara are rumored to pursue a relationship, much to the shock and horror of the village. While neither of them has committed outright murder, there are rumors that some of the village disappearances from a few years back can be linked to them.
UPDATE: No one's seen Matthias or Shara since the War of Copper Knives...
Mimeti Ionelus (MISSING)
The youngest child of Vladimir and Gaelia, Mimeti was born with a placental caul over his eyes. Today, Mimeti seems to be living up to his birthright. He is a strange child, often uttering prophecies or predictions. Many in the village fear him, but his family name protects him from the flames or gallows.
Rumors: Gaelia protects Mimeti with her life and clings to this child obsessively.
UPDATE: No one knows where Memeti is, and many believe him to be dead or worse.
Svari Ionelus
In utter disappointment to his father, Svari has joined the Church of Ezra. Svari is a dedicated Toret, who works in the village's large temple under Father Sentire Mugur. Most of the time, Svari tries to forget about his family and his family name, not even speaking of it to others. Conscience, however, occasionally pulls him back to help his family in times of crisis.
Rumors: Nicolai had hoped that Svari could have inherited the position of burgomaster, but Svari gave up this right when he joined the church. Svari is actually one of the few people alive to ever see the inside of the Tomb of Quinn Roche, though he is loath to speak of it.
UPDATE: Svari is now the burgomaster of Vallaki, appointed by Strahd von Zarovich XI in the wake of his father's death.
Nadia Ionelus
The infamous “"Black Widow of Vallaki,"” Nadia Ionelus is well-known amongst the peasantry and nobles alike. Nadia has had no less than four different husbands. Each of them dying off in a mysterious or unforeseen way. Most people of the village have concluded that Nadia is cursed. Nadia has inherited all of her father’'s guile and cunning. She is an exquisite politician and strict administrator. She is often Nicolai'’s go-to woman, running the day-to-day operations of the family. Nadia has two young children: Serena and Tari.
Rumor: Nadia would make an excellent replacement for Nicolai as burgomaster, but Nicolai fails to see why a woman should take his
place. Nadia has her hand in about as many places as her father, and she even has some resources that her father does not possess. The biggest rumor of all is that she has contacts with the infamous Ba’'al Verzi Assassins.
UPDATE: Acting burgomaster and administrator of Vallaki following Vladimir's capture by Lord Wachter's men, her rule was eclipsed by famine and conflict, culminating in the War of Copper Knives, a conflict between the Wachter family and the Ionelus family. Taken by Lord Wachter, she was supposed to be executed, but was saved last minute by the Count's arrival. Rumor says that she is angry (perhaps rightly so) that her brother Svari got chosen over her, and might act on the jealousy that stirs in her heart soon.
Aerianna Ionelus
Like Svari, Aerianna has tried to distance herself from her family’s political backbiting and scheming. Aerianna has instead taken up metal craft; becoming one of the finer weaponsmiths in the village, although one would never know this by looking upon her. She has a spectral beauty that makes many think that she is fey-touched. The fact that she is a weapons crafter is a small scandal for the Ionescus, for Aerianna is a noble doing the work of a commoner. Still, Aerianna has patently refused to close up shop, much to her father’'s enragement.
Rumors: Aerianna is perhaps the favorite of Nicolai. She alone comforts him on long nights, listens to him, and withholds judgment. Aerianna is known for disappearing for long stretches of time from the town. No one knows where she goes, but rumor has it that she keeps a lover in another town. Many comment constantly on Aerianna’s appearance – the fact that she looks nothing like either her mother or father. Some say that she is actually fey-born, the result of a romantic twist between her mother, Maedra, and a fey lover.
Nicolai the Lesser (DEAD - KIDNAPPED & KILLED BY GUNDARAKITE REBELS)
This young innocent is Nicolai the Elder’'s last hope for an heir to the burgomaster position. The problem is that Nicolai the Lesser is anything but ready for the position. Young, naïve, and unsure of himself, Nicolai is more of a follower than a leader. Currently, he serves in the town militia, under the watchful eye of Dagris the Cruel. Nicolai desperately wants his father’s approval, but lacks courage and direction.
Rumors: Rumor has it that Nicolai and Nyssa Dolevnia are lovers, but this remained unproven. Nicolai the Elder would frown upon such a relationship, since the Dolevnia clan is Gundarkite by race.