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Author Topic: The Vistani and Strahd  (Read 6929 times)

Dumas

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The Vistani and Strahd
« on: August 27, 2015, 12:46:39 PM »
Hey there, just something that I've been wondering about...

We all know that the Vistani in Barovia have an arrangement with the Count, and there are even laws and declaration stating this... thou shall not spill the blood of a Vistani, etc etc. From what I know, the deal is that they supply him with information in exchange for protection. Of course, there's a bit more to it than that. My question though, is this - does Strahd's relationship extend to all the different Vistani tribes/groups, or specifically the one or ones that most often frequent Barovia?

And in tandem with that question, another - Are the Vistani at the Mist Camp in our server of the same sort that frequent Barovia, or of an entirely different group?

Geiger

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Re: The Vistani and Strahd
« Reply #1 on: August 27, 2015, 12:49:03 PM »
Vistani are nomads and Strahd's agreements were brokered with the Zarovan, named after their patron. But from them, sprang all other Vistani.

Outlander, their agreement is ancient, and those who made it are the ones who only know it or care. But as to what extent and how much they care well, one can never be too sure...  :bat:

Dumas

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Re: The Vistani and Strahd
« Reply #2 on: August 27, 2015, 12:50:31 PM »
Hah, got it Treason, thanks!  :mrgreen:

Bluebomber4evr

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Re: The Vistani and Strahd
« Reply #3 on: August 28, 2015, 08:45:37 PM »
All Vistani have sanctuary in Barovia's borders. When Vistani visit Barovia, they give Strahd information, even information about things they have seen outside of Barovia.

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McNastea

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Re: The Vistani and Strahd
« Reply #4 on: August 29, 2015, 01:27:03 AM »
Out of ooc curiosity, why does Strahd protect the Vistani anyway?

Was it something they did for him, or did he just see an opportunity in protecting a people who could deal with the mists and provide information etc?

Or is it just one of those things that nobody knows the real reason behind, only that it is
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IllusoryWitch

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Re: The Vistani and Strahd
« Reply #5 on: August 29, 2015, 09:43:51 AM »
No one is -quite- sure what the exact terms of the agreement are. Strahd protects the Vistani because the Vistani provide information that only they may be privy to. What we do know from the Fraternity of Shadows, which draws it's sources from the Gazetteer 1 and the Domains of Dread sourcebook.

Quote
470 BC The Vistani appear in Barovia for the first time
470 BC Madame Eva and Strahd form an alliance

Quote
Count Strahd von Zarovich gave Madame Eva a potion which grants immunity to the choking fog that surrounds the Village of Barovia. The formula is widely known by the Vistani. In return, they act as the Count's eyes and ears in other domains.


Neither Strahd nor Madame Eva discuss the exact nature of this alliance. But, seeing as POTM Takes a lot of its areas surrounding VOB From Expedition to Castle Ravenloft, we may be able to assume that the following is also true:

Quote
In this reboot of I6: Ravenloft, Madame Eva is not a human but rather a annis hag (though still retaining some levels of cleric and the Chaotic Neutral alignment.[1] She is a former human and priestess who guarded one of the Three Wilderness Fanes of Barovia, but when they were corrupted by Strahd, so was she along with the rest of her coven. Although no mention of the Zarovan tribe is made in the adventure, she still leads a tribe of Vistani enamped at Tser Falls.[2]

However, it may just as easily be not-true, and non canonical to POTM, I wouldn't know.

The possible 'backstory' of the Vistani's relationship with Strahd is almost definitely drawn from Dracula, in which Szgany gypsies served Dracula, carrying his boxes of earth and guarding him.
« Last Edit: August 29, 2015, 09:49:58 AM by IllusoryWitch »


Bluebomber4evr

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Re: The Vistani and Strahd
« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2015, 05:10:54 PM »
Err, no IllusoryWitch, the stuff about Madame Eva from Expedition to Castle Ravenloft is not used here and is not considered canon.

Anyway, the reason for their alliance is pretty simple:

Strahd gives the Vistani protection while they are in his lands (they are often killed in other domains); in return, the Vistani share all of their knowledge with him.

This may not seem like much, but you have to remember, Strahd is trapped in Barovia. The Vistani can not only leave Barovia, but can navigate the Mists without error and travel to the far-flung parts of the Demiplane that most people of the Core wouldn't risk traveling to. So Strahd ends up knowing not only everything the Vistani see in Barovia, but in other domains as well.

So Strahd gets spies that can travel anywhere in the demiplane, and the Vistani have a safe haven where no one dares lay a hand on them. It works out quite well for both parties.

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herkles

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Re: The Vistani and Strahd
« Reply #7 on: August 29, 2015, 05:16:29 PM »
Also do not forget that while Vistani are hunted down in Invidia, other realms are not as good for them either. They are often scapegoats, and have little protection in other lands. Barovia is a place where they can avoid being lynched up by mobs.


IllusoryWitch

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Re: The Vistani and Strahd
« Reply #8 on: August 29, 2015, 09:27:32 PM »
Err, no IllusoryWitch, the stuff about Madame Eva from Expedition to Castle Ravenloft is not used here and is not considered canon.

Oh okay, It's good to know which parts of (fa)non/netbooks/Video games are used (Degannwyy, Dvergheim (sic)  (FoS' Undead Sea Scrolls) , the whole skeleton cave dungeon/Morninglord Temple VoB Dungeon (Strahd's Possession), Forest Fane (Expedition to Castle Ravenloft), Megan Llewellyn (Nine of Hearts: The Burning of Vallaki) , The Wemic, Troll (Stone Prophet) and Luthor the Paladin (Iron & Blood: Warriors of Ravenloft) in the Har'Akir Tent)  and which are not. Understandably, it caused a bit of confusion and I apologize for coming off as presenting the information about Madame Eva as canon. Please disregard.
« Last Edit: August 29, 2015, 09:29:27 PM by IllusoryWitch »


tomwell1

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Re: The Vistani and Strahd
« Reply #9 on: August 30, 2015, 11:40:50 AM »
Do half vistani get the same protections that full vistani do?
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FinalHeaven

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Re: The Vistani and Strahd
« Reply #10 on: August 30, 2015, 12:48:58 PM »
Do half vistani get the same protections that full vistani do?
Its my understanding they do not.



IllusoryWitch

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Re: The Vistani and Strahd
« Reply #11 on: August 30, 2015, 01:58:54 PM »
No, they do not.


Bluebomber4evr

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Re: The Vistani and Strahd
« Reply #12 on: August 30, 2015, 05:44:29 PM »
Do half vistani get the same protections that full vistani do?
Nope, the Vistani do not even consider half-Vistani to be true Vistani.

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