AD&D - Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium, Vol 3 (2e)

d5 An encounter with the Manusa f, -’ j
should leave the heroes feeling like
? animals who vaguely realize that care, The most direct answer I received
humans know something they do not. from any of the tribes was in response
These Vistani never display an active to the question, “What is time?” One old
Canjari answered, quite casually, “It is
interest in the affairs of heroes; when nothing.” Although I could not press her
they play a part in an adventure, it is to elaborate, her tone conveyed a great
for their own reasons, which the deal more meaning than her words (as
heroes probably will not comprehend. is always the case with this tasque). I
understood her to mean that the nature
Tribes of this tasque simply appear of time is of no concern or mystery, that
when they find it convenient to do so, I might a s well have asked, “What is the
and disappear when their role has nature of water?” For the Manusa, there
been fulfilled. Only under the most is no cumulative reality, no road of time,
extraordinary circumstance would no need for analogies whatsoever; one
they allow a giorgio to spend any either comprehends or he does not. And
amount of time among them. The the Manusa certainly comprehend,
experience should be like living with while you and I do not.
aliens of a superior race.
Specific Powers
If the Dungeon Master wishes to Control over time itself is the most
construct a fortune-tellingscenario amazing ability of the Manusa. Their full
with the Manusa, the forecast should comprehension of its nature apparently
be by far the strangest, most cryptic allows them to merely look ahead or
babble any Vistani might utter. behind, without any dependence on
Interpreting their predictions should tools such as the tarokka, crystal ball,
be both a matter of unscrambling the or other mechanical means. From my
message a s well a s wat.ching for clues experience among the Zarovan, I
that give sense to the words. For imagine they can see any time period in
example, a Vistana of the Kaldresh or any place they choose.
Boem tasque might say, “Youwill find
your enemy when the raven’s moon If such is indeed the case, the Manusa
shines on his ebon blade” (whatever could manipulate the past and future at
that means), but a Manusa would will, creating any reality they desire! I
deliver the same prophecy by saying, marvel that they have not done so, and
“Black feather, white face, sword of thereby placed themselves on the throne
darkness, foe’s place,” Interpretations of the universe. I can only conclude that
of course, are not considered giorgio and Vistani minds must be two
necessary. fundamentally differentthings.
Mist navigation: The Manusa seem to be
When the Manusa have tired of or at one with the strange mists that
finished with a group of heroes, they sometimes envelop our land. To most
simply disappear while the readers, these mists are little more
adventurers are not looking. nuisance than heavy fog, rising from the
land by the cool of night. Others believe,
They exhibit no compulsion to get alor however, that they are almost alive, and
with others, no dependence on anyone, that they can carry a man from one
not even a need to convince others to domain to the next, even if he stands
do their bidding. They are breathing still from the moment they swallow him
harbingers, the lips of Fate itself, and to the point they fade away.
their predictions are inescapable, as if
the events they foretell have already Once I dismissed these claims as
occurred. childish imagination, but now my own
experience lends credence to the
Beliefs Concerning Time legends. The Kaldresh do not seem to
Time itself is a toy to the Manusa, a heed the mists, and the Boemians travel
faithful servant, a simpleton in their with them wherever they blow, but the

cj.

The Manusa are capable of seeing independently of time, but unable to
into the past and future with near manipulate their part of “history,”
perfect clarity, but Van Richten over- effectively disassociates the Vistani
states their prowess a bit. Specifically, altogether.
in matters directly concerning them-
selves, they (and all Vistani) are either Mechanically, the Dungeon Master
unable or unwilling to see beyond the can place the Manusa at any point in
present. history necessary to explain some
story element in an adventure. They
This fact is Darticulari,v im.Dortant in can literally know anything, since they
only need think about some point in
light of their additional control over time to be there.
time, at which Van Richten hints: The
Manusa can actually travel through time This power can also be an
at will. They simpiy think about where enormously helpful tool in adventures
in time they want to go (thus entering where time plays a crucial element, but
the Mists in the Demiplane of Dread during which the adventurers fail to
campaign). Their grasp of time is so keep up. If the heroes are losing a race
complete that they exist at any point in against time and the Dungeon Master
time by their own choosing. However, wants them to have another chance, a
this does not mean they are in the habit Manusa caravan can carry them any
of manipulating either time or events in place they need to be, and put them
the lives of adventurers-quite the there yesterday, if need be.
opposite. Any plea to “go back in time
and change the future” is met with Once again: Having this power does
disdain. Being able to operate not dictate its use or abuse.

Manusa can direct them. If tales be true, One): Their knowledge of time is a
this tribe can command that the mists “secret” given up by the gods, who
carry their caravans to any precise time regret giving it to them. Perhaps the
and place they choose, or even send Manusa fear divine retribution should
the mists to do their bidding. they share their secrets with anyone
else. Whatever the reason, I think it is
The Manusa can be a Dungeon probably all for the best that they keep
Master’s tool, deliberately invoking such knowledge to themselves. I, for
the Mists (in a Demiplane of Dread one, do not care to know what they do.
campaign) to relieve the monotony of
constant coincidences when the Mists The Defining Craft
spring up to cast the heroes into I would generally refer to the Manusa a s
another adventure. A new scenario “arcanists,”if label them I must. All
can begin with an encounter with the Vistani are magical to some extent, but
Manusa, during which time the this tasque is overtly so. While all
Manusa summon the Mists to either Vistani cast the tarokka, time is no
aid or punish the heroes. mystery to this tasque. All Vistani travel
using mist naoigation, but the Manusa
Prescience: Because of their knowledge do so with apparent ease.
of time, it stands to reason that the
Manusa can know who you are, what While the Kaldresh produce goods for
you have done in the past, and what consumption by the military and the
you will do in the future. They can even general public, and the Boemians
know the moment of your death, if they provide services for giorgios’
care to look for it, but they would never entertainment and other goals, the
reveal it to you. The only explanation I Manusa do not share their “craft”with
can offer for this lies in the legend of anyone unless it be for their own
“The War for All Time” (see Chapter purposes. One cannot engage a Manusa
to read one’s fortune, nor ask him to
ferry passengers through mist

151

D: w

Manusa will have a positive effect on

your life, but even when they prove to be

the bane of your existence, you can do

little but embrace the will of Fate.

navigation. No amount of gold can sway in return for their services, they might
him, and a personal entreaty must be tell a party to recover a valuable gem;
extremely convincing. The Manusa are however, the adventurers must kill a
unaffected by politics, religion, love, particular person or monster in order
hate, idealism, cynicism-by all the to get it, and that being's death is
causes and beliefs which drive most of what the Manusa really want. They
us all our lives. If you are approached byI cannot be bought at any price, for in
a member of this tasque, I would heartilyI general they need nothing. Whom
recommend that you listen very carefull] they serve, if anyone (or anything), is
to everything he says, follow any
instructions he gives you to the best of When I muse on those Manusa powers
your ability, and do not ask for anything which I have witnessed, then speculate
if you can help it. If you are lucky, the on the possible range and application of
those abilities, I a m a s dumbfounded a s
Van Richten's observation 1 I was when I began to learn about the
salient powers of vampires, so long ago.
regarding the Manusa's potential Were these people a s evil a s giorgios
suspect them to be, then the most
omniscience is included purely for terrible monsters in the universe would
be mere pets to them. Truly it is by the
dramatic effect, although it can be of grace of the gods that the Vistani do not
ply their capabilities with a vengeance!
use in play under the right
The%*
circumstances. In effect, the Manusa
That some beings possess the powers
know anything the Dungeon Master of the Manusa and those of a spellcaster
a s well is a humbling thought, but such
knows. This can be used a s a last- is the nature of the Canjar. Imagine the
possibilities: No matter how powerful a
resort game mechanic for revealing wizard becomes, he is rendered useless
to himself and others if he has not
information to adventurers who memorized the proper spell. With the
power to predict the future, the Canjar
somehow miss all the clues put in can theoretically arm themselves with
the exact spell needed for every
their paths. However, its main effect is occasion. They waste not so much a s
an ounce of power, and that is only the
to make the Vistani a bit more first advantage they enjoy. I shall not
waste ink detailing how the Canjar profit
frightening and intimidating. They from their natural abilities, for a mere
wizards apprentice could fill a book.
know what the heroes fear and desire,
Sadly, I have had precious little time
and they have information that most to observe them, but I believe the
Canjar are capable of casting any
heroes would wish they did not. When

the Manusa look on a character who

knows what they are, he should have

the uncomfortable feeling that they

are thinking about events he would

rather forget, or perhaps they are

contemplating the character's death.

‘eenchantment a giorgio spellcaster can ourselves against an ambush. My skin
undertake. The manifold tiny pockets in prickled sharply as Iprobed the
their vests, to which I referred earlier, shapeless void about me with some
are ideal receptacles for spell sixth sense ofmine (which I had begun
components. I did note that their fingers to cultivate after a few meetings with
dip in and out of them with the Vistani). Whatever I sensed, it was
extraordinary alacrity. What makes their all around me-not “they,” but “it;” I
magic different is that it seems to have was sure that a single presence closed
a life of its own. about us as our eyes darted here and
there, seeking the inuisible menace.
AI1 members of the Canjar tribe are
generalist mages, reaching a maximum The darkness itselfbegan to feel sticky,
of 6th level. If such a Vistana is in the
position of becoming an adversary to clinging, as ifit were thickening into a
the heroes, the Dungeon Master should dank sheet that bodily wrapped about us
take care in choosing the nonplayer and began to constrict. With a gasp,
character’s level. Since a Canjar can, in
effect, “glance ahead and know which Arturi beside me dropped his weapon.
spells he’ll need for the day, the “lt is the night itselr he cried. “The
Dungeon Master can simply choose his
spells from the Phger’s Handbook or darkness is aliue!”
Tome of Magic at the time of casting, In spite of considerable experience
ee.m--lap.,l:-o-ying w.xrhh=a+tne.mvrer s~pneldl i;lse hbneestt osu~.iit+endrl
to the immediate situation. This which taught me that carrying a torch
certainly increases the effective in the open night is foolhardy, I began
potency of a Canjar wizard. to grope frantically in my pack for my
magical lantern.
The Living Night
-From the private journal of
Arturi and I were crossing the rainy blue Dr. Van Richten
domain ofsithicus, which is ruled by a
powerful knight called Soth. Night Arturi has had no experience with
smothered us like the ceaseless wet Canjar magic, but he knows many
mists that seeped through my wool coat doroq tales about these distant cousins
and sapped my warmth. We had of his. One tale insists that Canjar
abandoned hope for contact with the magic is actually alive. Most people
Manusa and turned our ambitions to might call this a metaphor or romantic
finding a tribe of the natiue elues instead. conceit, but I have walked the night too
It had been a wearisomejourney west long to dismiss such ideas as mere
from Skald; three days through fancy. As it happens, when i finally met
Kartakass and three more in Sithicus, the Canjar, I had not yet made the
and all we had seen was a pack of connection between that sticky
starved ghouls and a massive fright of darkness and their subsequent
bats winging north. f i e rocky, tumbling appearance. I remarked that 1 had no
Musarde Riuer rolled noisily along to our idea how I managed to find them.
left as we followed the road to Har-
Thelen, offen teasing us by making us A grizzled Vistani crone grinned
think w e heard the coarsegrind of toothlessly at me and replied, “We sent
wagon wheels somewhere nearby. zsaleu to fetch you. The breath of night
blew you to us.”Zsaleu is a Canjar word
All o f a sudden, I began to sense with no direct translation, but which
something alive in the darkness. Arturi means, roughly, “magic” or “power.” I
sensed it also, so we paused and armed told her the night had come to life, and
she nodded enthusiastically. She might
have merely recognized the sensation,
but I prefer to think she was saying I
was exactly right.

I now believe the Canjar sent this
zsalev. this livina darkness. to harass

actually sniffed us out and drove us
?V toward them in Valachan. The spell trav-
The Canjar c,an create effects called
eied some four hundred miles to find us!

zsaleu (ZHA I,ef,singular and plural) As Vistani, the Canjar are capable of

that resemble? more common spells working the forge, but they do not share

such a s inuisible sialker or unseen the Kaldresh enthusiasm and talent for it.

seruant. The manifestation has a Nevertheless, they do produce two very

tangible pressence that can be felt like special types of finely wrought magical
eyes staring i3t the back of your head. items: moon jewelry and evil ege amulets.

Once createcI, a zsaleu “lives”for one

week before Ifading away. As soon a s Canjar Moon Jewelry
one comes irito being, its creator

concentrates on a face and a general The Canjar do not sell moon jewelry,

direction, whereupon the effect sets off but they might award it a s a prize for

at a moveme:nt rate of 36 (A), seeking service rendered. Each d i s k s XP

out the object of the creator‘s thought. value is 1,000;no more than two

In addition, o‘nebasic command may such items should be introduced into

be implanted in it, such a s “Bring him any single adventuring group.

back” or “Drive her toward water;” this Moonjewelry modifies any saving

decree becornes the manifestation’s throw vs. spell in favor of the caster

only function. If no command is given, by +1 while the moon is waxing, and
it merely seeks out the target and by +2 for the three days during which

hovers about him until it “dies,”is the moon is full. The modification

driven away by any light source of works against the caster by -1 during

torch brightness or more (returning at waning weeks, and by -2 for the night

next darkness), or is magically of the new moon. Determine the

dispelled. moon’s current phase by consulting a

A zsaleu cannot physically attack calendar: The real moon’s phase

or be attackt:d; it can only create a indicates the phase in the game. If

fear effect. Anyone within 30 feet of your adventure specifiesthe phase of

the effect mi1st make a saving throw the moon for plot purposes, that

vs. spell eacii round, with a 12 bonus should take precedence. Note that

on the first attempt, a + I bonus on some domains, such as Bluetspur and

the second, Iio bonus on the third, the Nightmare Lands, do not have a

and so on, d,-creasing no farther than moon, and the jewelry does not

-5. An affect,ed character runs in the function in such places.

direction the zsaleu’s creator wishes, Obviously, the possession of moon

or in a randctn direction if the zsaleu jewelry is a mixed blessing. Worse,

has no direci:ive. the owner cannot put on the bauble

A zsaleu c:an take many forms, one week to enjoy its benefits and

and the Dungeon Master should remove it later to avoid its drawbacks.

create his ovun to surprise the Once moon jewelry has affectedeven

players. Van Richten and Arturi were a single roll of the dice, it continues to

affected by Iiving darkness, but they influence the wearer for one month,

might have tieen stalked by a even if removed.

growling cat, a greenish cloud of Just 10%of all moon jewelry

mist, the SOLind of monstrous, heavy conveys power over lycanthropes.

breathing nearby, or any other Such items perform a s a scroll of

unnerving biImp in the night. protection versus lycanthropes, usable

A zsaleu is not a spell so much a s once per day. A Dungeon Master can

, a spell-like aIbility, but it requires the build an adventure around a quest to

Vistana creaitor to waste the power find a moon ring that cures

needed to CE1st one memorized 3rd- lycanthropy, but there should be only

order to invoke it. one of these in an entire campaign.

Moon Jewelry honor of Lord Zarovich‘s acquaintance, I
Under almost any light, these bits of know enough of him to infer that
enchanted work appear to be little silver members of his inner circle must be both
disks; each may be mounted as a terrible and Dowerful. If the Zarovan are
pendant, ring, or other device. In the part of that group, then I a m fortunate
dark, or under the moon, their surfaces indeed to have spent a few hours in their
glow in proportions that perfectly match
the phase of that heavenly body. During presence and lived to speak of it.
the first and last weeks of the lunar
cycle, moon jewelry glows in a waxing Canjar Evil Eye Amulets
or waning crescent, while at the full it Evil eye amulets are more rare than
beams circular and nearly bright moon jewelry, so no more than one is
enough to read by. According to Arturi, appropriate to any given party unless
such items can enhance spellcasting extraordinary circumstances dictate
and even have power over lycanthropy! otherwise. Further, the jewelry is
limited to ld4+2 “charges,”one of
Evil Eye Amulets which is expended each time the item
In Chapter Four of this treatise, I shall is used, regardless of its success or
discuss the infamous evil eye. but here I failure. Note that euil eye amulets
shall merely point out that the Canjar should not be treated as standard
create amulets which can actually magical items, but a s objects with
protect one from that fell power. Forged curious and inexplicable powers. For
of silver, such a charm is shaped like a an amulet to have maximum
human hand in a warding gesture, such dramatic effect, the Dungeon Master
a s a fist with the index and little fingers should keep track of its remaining
extended. When the charm is worn on a charges so the player cannot
chain about the neck, the wearer’s completely depend on it.
actual warding gesture is enhanced,
making it possible to repel not only Furthermore, when a hero receives
attacks of the euii eye, but any assault an eoil eye amulet, the Dungeon
that is delivered through the eyes. Master rolls percentile dice to
determine the exact bonus to “euil
Among non-Vistani, euil eye amulets eye checks” (see Chapter Four).
are very rare. Given the Manusa’s disdain
for outsiders, and the giorgio dismissal of Evil 6yeAmuIeiBoms
Vistani powers as superstition, this rarity
is perhaps expected. Not even Arturi ldlOO Bonu
owns an euil eye amulet, even though +1
Vistani tend to be more susceptible to the 01-50 +2
euil eye than you or 1. 51-75 +3
76-90 +4
Themm 91-00

The last tribe I shall describe is the If and when an adverlrulrt ieq.xxius LU
furthest removed from common an attack of the euil eye with a
mortality. I do not mean to imply they warding gesture, the Dungeon Master
are not human, just that “humanity” is (not the player) makes a saving throw
too limited to encompass them. They vs. paralyzation and adds the modifier.
are like visitors from another world, full
of knowledge we can never hope to Note that cursed amulets might be
imagine, possessed of powers we dare given to adventurers a s well. Using
not think on. the above rules and substituting
minuses for pluses, a character may
The Zarovan are said to be named for become even more susceptible to the
their connection with Lord Zarovich of euil eye. Such objects are usually put
Barovia, also known a s “the devil into the hands of heroes for specific
Strahd.”Though I have not had the reasons germane to the adventure,
but any disrespect for the Vistani can
result in such a “gift.”

called out ti dirt-strewnfloor ofthe caue with a cup of
iadows of tkie Barovian woods. tea in m y hand, and I watched mutely. In
had not ye[:set,after all, and in hindsight, I suspect they somehow
ears I had become a match for prevented me from acting, yet I had no
ilight dangers. I hoped the impression then ofexternal control.
Yrking deep in the trees was a
i. Arturi anc1 I entered the Eva sat in a chair, and a fire sprang
s “chokingjfog ofBarouia” up from the stone floor before her: The
7 that once ILue inhaled the tribe gathered around her and the fire,
5 yellowish fumes, only a chanting, singing, and bowing in ritual
special pot1ions would eloquence. Their words I could not
!e the latent poison in our lungs. understand, yet emotions and
;hly,Arturi i2nd I left the Old intellectual impressions filled my head
with hallucinations.
Road to answer the stranger’s
I looked into the halls ofthe lords
n. Soon we were lost, then themselues! I saw other worlds,
,d. The stran:gerslipped from inhabited by both familiarand alien
races! A gigantic, flying, reptilian worm
cover, so ck)se I could have that could breathe fire spoke to me like a
im, yet I was too late. It became human! I gazed on city streets built on
t that I was not the hunter, but
. Darkness 1iropped like a the inside ofa colossal ring! It all seemed
urtain, strariding me in the so real, lshall never be sure it was not.

rest, the mouement of I have the oddest feeling that not a
‘fiedcreatunzs all around me. I single second passed while I was
d through ti+eunderbrush, among the Zarovan. Although
d o n a pit, and fell headlong everything I have described above
should have required time to occur, l a m
iue, only to be handed a cup of positive that m y evening among them
>ya waitinsI Vistana. lasted no longer than the moments it
takes to remember it all. One instant I
Em,” s h e said quite casually, was tumbling down that hole in the
Barovian night, and the next I was
ned and wamlked away as if we sitting with Arturi at m y kitchen table
finished a (:onversation. in Mordentshire, hundreds of miles
away, with the same cup of tea in m y
-From 1the private journal of hand-still full and still hot!
Dr. Van Richten
-From the private journal of
ly guess at the powers of the
, for they to1d me nothing of n
ces. Even the Canjar, mysterious
seemed, corifirmed that certain Given my experience with the Zarovan,
Ices of mine had been the result the best information I can give consists
nagic. The ;Zarovan acknow- of rumors, most coming from Arturi. My
iothing. I caimot say why they unenlightened observations of my brief
,wed me into their presence, visit with them are hardly the rock of
perhaps to reinforce my fears of fact. The only assurance I can give you
is a personal certainty that none of what
-ini, lest I replort to you that the I shall below ascribe to the Zarovan
seems far-fetched to me since I spent
IUS wanderers were in any way that strange evening among them.
hable.
The Spirit of All Vistani
0
Arturi did not like to say so, perhaps
1 to rise and walk among them, because the prospect of this truth is too
dozen questions at once, to much to bear, but he explained to me
hank them f or sheltering me from
‘nessoutside!.Instead, I sat on the

156

- understandably, other mortals came to
fear these folk, and they were no longer
There are a number of ways a welcome anywhere. They became
Dungeon Master might incorporate this nomads; they shared their suspicious
notion into a campaign. The Zarovan powers with all wanderers, to frighten and
can possess any and all abilities of all punish ungrateful giorgios everywhere.
ot,herVistani tribes of every lasque.
They might know anything that any Sometime later, as w e walked
other Vistani knows. They might have along the trail and discussed Vistani
the ability to negate the powers of other mythology, Arturi reluctantly explained
Vistani. They might simply appear as that one who was fluent in the
any kind of itinerant they choose. patterna (see Chapter Three) would
understand that the story referred
If the Vistani are to remain subtly to the Zarovan. He did not wish
mysterious and intimidating to to discuss the matter because he
adventurers, then a tribe such as the believed that they know when they are
Zarovan is necessary. These "masters" talked about, and further, who is
can change the ruies for all the tribes. talking about them, which made him
to prevent the heroes from being able very uncomfortable.
to depend on any one thing being true
all the time. This is not to say that the Portal to the Fantastic
Dungeon Master should make a If the places I saw in my reverie are
practice of deceiving the characters at real, it is almost certain that the
every turn; rather, the party must not
ever experience the comfort of knowing Zarovan can travel to them, either
exactly with whom they deai. spiritually or through mist navigation.
Perhaps they even bring back people
that the Zarovan are believed to the from those remote locales; I have
source of all Vistani powers. According to many times met people who insist that
one Boem legend, a band of Vistani stole they came from abroad, yet who knew
magic from the darkest gods, weakening not how they arrived nor how to return
the divine beings' powers so that they whence they came. Perhaps they were
could not destroy the world. Ironically yet in actuality objects of Vistani

The Dungeon Master decides deliver the sword ofsentor before the

whether the Zarovan have the home fire burns for you once more."
capability to part the void between the An offer this generous is
campaign world and other worlds and
planes. If such a feat is possible, the cheapened if used a s the reward for a
Zarovan can accomplish it. single adventure. Far better is it to
have the Zarovan appear in the midst
Unfortunately for adventurers, there of an ongoing campaign, predict
is no way they can pay, cajole, or force some obscure event that results in the
the Vistani to open that portal. The only way home, then disappear again.
way in which the opportunity might When the RAVENLOFTcampaign nears
arise is if the Zarovan want something an end, the Dungeon Master can allon
of them badly enough to offer passage the party to fulfill the prediction either
using mist nauigation instead of any incidentally or a s the final mission. If
lumber of other boons. They do not this encounter with the Zarovan is
3llow adventurers to treat this ability a s roleplayed with proper drama, the
3 bargaining chip ("Sure, we'll retrieve conditions of the prediction that frees
he sword of Sentor from the Shadow them can be used to tease the
iift, but you have to take us back to adventurers for years. For example, if
lormyr when we've done it"), nor do the Zarovan predict, "The home forge
.hey even admit to having the power. lies beyond the ivory sunset," the
The most they do is hint, saying heroes will be excited every time they

C'JOrU; TFIE 8ECOND:

machinations, rather than slightly

mad, a s I first took them to be. vary the abilities ofthe many tribes,

Con&sion trade some of them back and forth,
and even create other related powers
That, to my knowledge, is the extent of and skills, using Van Richten for
inspiration only. Now that many

the Vistani tribes which live in our players have the doctor's take on the
realms, although there may be still Vistani, prove to them that neither he
others of which neither Arturi nor I

know anything. Some doroq stories

suggest that there is a lost tribe of means. Any tribe can use mist

Vistani which went away using mist nauigation to emerge in another

nauigation and never came b a c k domain, hundreds of miles away, a s if it

presumably they traveled to another were just down the road. None can

world or plane of existence, never to be claim a permanent home without losing

seen in our domains again. More an essential part of their identities. And,

chilling stories speak of a ghostly tribe of course, all Vistani possess the power

that steals lives and commits other acts of the evil eye, which confers on them

of evil when the moon is in the proper the ability to lay dread curses.

phase, allowing them to cross over the When adventurers and old wives

shadowy border between this world and exchange information, these are the

theirs. By all accounts, these ghostly traits they ascribe to the Vistani, and

i Vistani are purely wicked, but I suspect few others. However, these are only the
i that they are nothing more than
most spectacular of their capabilities,

boogeymen with which the Kaldresh and they are the stories which typically

frighten their children. frighten giorgios. The actuality of these

In any event, it is certain that all powers are addressed in Chapters Four

Vistani are not alike. Of course there and Five of this treatise. They do much

are certain qualities and abilities that to secure a reputation, for good or ill,

are common to all of them: Physically that is attributed to all Vistani. Yet by

they are swarthy, dark-haired, and themselves, these abilities do not reveal

brown-eyed almost without exception, who or what the Vistani really are.

which I a m sure contributes to Although I have a personal grievance

generalizations on the part of the with the Corvara tribe, which stole my

uninformed. All tribes practice a bit of son and sold him to a vampire, I must

magic, a s well, and have the power to still conclude that the majority of evils

glimpse the future through various attributed to Vistani tribes are simply

stuff and nonsense. Certainly there are

criminals among them, worthy of a swift

rope, and most of them view law and

order a s concepts that have no direct

application to their lives, but the all too

common depiction of these familial

vagabonds as a collection of derelicts

and thieves is misleading.

If there is one thing I have learned in

my many years of research and

hunting, it is that misleading

information can be fatal. Perhaps, if I

had not viewed the Radanavich caravan

with such awe and fear, they would not

have been so bold a s to take my son,

and countless friends and associates of

mine would still be alive today.

. . . [&]onor. love. obedience. troop of friende,

e7 m u d not looh io hwe; but. in their .stead,

Cunec, not loud but deep

-William Shakespeare
Macbeth

2 n d cuned me with hie eye

-Samuel Taylor Coleridge
"Rime ofthe Ancient Mariner"

he power to lay curses, and learn to recognize the sparkle of temper
in a Vistana's smiling countenance if
the related power of the they know what is good for them.
In the interests of the discovery of truth,
evil eye, fall somewhere I have suppressed my inclinations to
ignore this subject. Toward this end, I
b 1I' between common and interviewed a few priests who have dealt
salient Vistani abilities. I with Vistani curses, and of course
Arturi, my resident expert, regarding the

Ia n2 .= I' "common" because all

~

Vistani can invoke them, and I call them Van Richten's anxiety over curses

"salient" a s well because they are s slightly overstated because of his

devastating capabilities. For all the )wn experiences. The Vistani do not

strange and frightening things these ock eyes with giorgios and smile

people can do, their abilities to curse :villy, as if they were saying, "Go

and to cast the evil eye are what makes %headM. ake my day." On the other

them so dangerous. land, the Vistani have a substantially

;uperior chance to invoke curses.
'irst, they earn +25%to their

3ercentile rolls simply for being

I shall not expend a great deal of ink rlistani. Good Dungeon Masters (and
speaking of curses. Not only is the
subject distasteful, but I have found that m y players running Vistani
a great deal of empirical data regarding
the nature of these phenomena has characters) should make the actual
already been committed to print.
Jttering of a curse dramatic, allowing
Just as the bite is integral to the an additional +25%for showmanship.
notion of a vampire, the curse is
essential to the Vistani. Further, their Of course, if a particular curse is a
curses are more calculated, often more
complex in their workings, and ironically focal plot point, it is perfectly
more natural than those uttered by
giorgios with hatred in their hearts. The reasonable to assign a 100%chance
Vistani can invoke curses without the
electrifying ingredient of hatred. of the curse taking affect.

A certain consciousness of this Curses uttered during Fulltide gain
ability should pervade any contact with
the Vistani. Just as the flash of a fang a +lo% chance to take effect.
warns of mortal dang- er .(to extend the
vampire analogy), so giorgios must In general, all the rules concerning

curses in Domains of Dread (Chapter

Twelve) apply to the Vistani. For

example, Dungeon Masters should

make powers checks for Vistani who

cu_rs.e", _e_sI,rplecially if that character p1 lay_ s
~ ~
~~

an1 extended role in the campaign. (A

failed check can add some interesting

spiicce to an adventure.)

Vistani curses are categorized by whenever he faces an undead c r e a t u r e
their specific intent, as well as by type but the general intent is not lethal.
and strength-defined in Domains of
Dread, Chapter Twelve, as embar- TheFoimnws CWot
rassing, frustrating, troublesome,
dangerous, and lethal. In fact, mixing What is more cruel than to want
and matching the intent and strength something with all one's heart, to see
of curses creates interesting results. that something right before one's eyes,
Therefore, the relative st.rengthof but to know that the mere touch of it is
curses is applied to each of the death? When a Vistana feels especially
following curses below in order to help cheated and wants to repay his pain in
the Dungeon Master invent appropriate Vistani-kind, he lays a curse that
and interesting Vistani curses. implants desire in the heart of his
enemy, but also the knowledge that to
nature of this cruel power. Thus I have the desired object is to summon
learned that Vistani curses can be torment or worse. The point of this curse
loosely categorized by the type of is to make the recipient experience the
punishment they inflict. This Vistana's sense of loss, keenly and
corroborates my comments above, for it perpetually. If the Vistana knows of
makes sense that the Vistani would something already dear to the victim,
calculate the effects of their curses that object often becomes the focus of
rather than simply blither in a fury and the curse, doubling the retribution.
let their power take its own form.
Po4nbyngep'
Thesw
How shall I repay the blood of my many
Most curses uttered by Vistani are not comrades who have lost their lives
intended to kill or jeopardize the because of my ignorance? Whatjustice
victim's life. They are simply cruel can atone for the deaths of so many,
repayment for a perceived injustice, real
or imaginary. These hardships take the who were doomed the moment they
form of permanent inconveniences, for
lack of a better description. They have
the effect of leaving a physical,

I victim, to COI
has wronged
warrior's pro

weaken, or a

enunciate mi

These cur:
victim himse
undercuts a Iiamii's bid for work might A more clever curse focuses on some

suddenly fincI that every nail he forges individual aspect of the blighted

becomes brittle, and a sage who scorns character-something comparable to

the Vistani mlight discover that ink no Van Richten's examples of the
blacksmith and the sage.
longer flows from a quill whenever he While "scar" curses can lead to the
attempts to Lise it. The object of the
"scar" is not to cause real harm so
much as to ii
the victim's claily life. Certainly it is
possible for s;uch curses to take on a
deadly aspec
,ymbol becomes slippery

,I '..,, .~." SECTIONT, HESECOND:

i2 revolting or fearsome visage; other
times a complete evolution occurs. In
An enraged Vistana is likely to one odd tale, a man's shadow
inflict this type of misfortune. disappeared, even in the brightest light,
for lack of which he was burned at the
An embarrassing "doombringer" is stake by his frightened fellow villagers.
merely annoying to have around-he
is followed by poor weather wherever
he goes, for example.

A frustrating curse creates T*md T w
measurable (dice-affecting) troubles

for others, but if the victim and all For those who commit particularly

allies are aware of it, they can work heinous crimes (including murder,

around it. Hence, the cursed character kidnapping, and rape) against the

might be the walking center of a 25- Vistani, there are horrible curses which

foot-radius magic-dead zone (his own only a tribe's seer can invoke. What's

magic excepted). worse, one need not even be in the

A troublesome curse causes people same domain, much less in their

in the victim's vicinity to experience presence, to be struck down by these

unavoidable but nonlethal difficulties; black maledictions for which, to my

perhaps everyone with the victim knowledge, there is no cure.

automatically fails all surprise rolls. Most infamous of these

A dangerous "doombringer" attracts punishments is the notorious

potentially lethal trouble on a regular mishamel (mee SHAH mall), the

basis. Maybe particularly nasty body-melt. Casualties of this dread

monsters show up once per day if the pronouncement begin to sweat

Dungeon Master rolls 1-3 on ldlO

(check once per hour until it happens). Mishamel Curse
A lethal curse brings certain death The victim of a mishamel experiences

to those around the victim. This is the profuse perspiration for l d 4 days. For
specific curse leveled at Van Richten the next l d 4 days, the victim cannot
by the Vistani long ago. be healed by any means short of a

victim, but everyone around him wish spell. Next, the victim suffers a
instead. He becomes a carrier of some cumulative -1 per day penalty to all
mystical disease to which he is dice rolls due to mounting pain.
immune. Normally, it does not take a Furthermore, the victim must success-
long time for the victim to notice a fully make a saving throw vs. petrifica-
pattern of devastating bad luck. tion or lose 1 point each of Strength,
However, I can personally assure that Dexterity, and Constitution per day.
such a curse may be subtle, rendering When any attribute falls to 0, the char-
the discovery of its existence all the acter goes into shock and melts away
more ruinous! in l d 6 hours. Melted characters are
irrevocably destroyed and cannot be

Alimjion brought back even with a wish.
The Dungeon Master is encouraged

Contempt in a Vistana's heart can to alter the numbers and even the
spawn a sadistic type of curse. The symptoms of a rnishamet if adopting

victim slowly takes on the Vistana's it for his campaign. The mechanics

image of him, becoming more vile to given here demonstrate how dice can

look on a s time marches forward. We all be applied to the effectsof so terrible

know the story of the thief whose hands a curse. At the Dungeon Master's
turned black after he stole from a option, remove curse can temporarily

caravan, but I have also heard of men halt the curse's advance (see Chapter
slowly turning into dumb animals, and Eight in Domains of Dread). However,

others becoming trees. Some changes the real terror lies in the roleplayed
are only partial, leaving the victim a aspects of the mishamel.

As Van Richten suqqests, thls type life:The thief‘s hands rot away, or turn
of curse can impose physical changes into the claws of a weasel.
in t h e victim, The severity of this curse
is just as flexible a s that of the other Finally, a lethal curse turns the
curse types. victim into another object entirely,
animate or inanimate.
An embarrassing curse results in an
irritant fairly simply to deal with-the Allow an adventurer afflicted with this
example of the thief with black hands type of curse to change slowly. Let it
falls into this category, as he can dawn on him that a curse has taken
always wear gloves in public. effect. Make him guess at the nature of
the change by revealing only symptoms,
A frustrating curse is the same a s an one at a time, spread over a generous
embarrassing one, except that it physi- stretch of time. Do not apply modifiers
cally affectsthe victim in some minor to any dice rolls at first; eventually do SO
way: The thief‘s fingers grow numb a s in such a way that the player has to
well a s black (-10% to all hand-related figure out it is happening, if possible.
thief skills). When the player notices his character’s
rolls are being altered, that is the cue to
C~ont.inuin”o the thief‘s example, a announce the first visible change.
troublesome curse would result in
some physical problem that prevents It is possible to apply reaction
him from using one of his skills alto-
gether. He could develop a hitch in his adjustments to this type of curse a s
step that prevents him from Moving well. Assess a cumulative -1 penalty
Silently, or his remaining skin might per stage of severity whenever such
turn so white that he can no longer rolls are made. As a rule of thumb, a
Hide in Shadows. reaction adjustment is definitely in
order whenever nonplayer character
A dangerous curse causes a humans and demihumans witness the
deformity that changes the victim’s manifestation of the curse.

profusely, then experience increasing To invoke a lethal curse, a Vistana
pain, which steadily erodes their seer often needs a material component
abilities to think and act, until they of some sort. Ideally, this is a
finally go into shock. Their physical possession of the victim’s such as an
bodies are slowly melting into a gooey
liquid! It is fortunate they are not Although Van Richten pronounces
conscious the last hours of their lives, these curses “incurable,” his insistence
for the sight of their own flesh would contradicts the rule that every curse
engender a heart attack. has an escape clause (see later).
Other Vistani death sentences are Perhaps it is more accurate to say that
legendary, both literally and these curses have no known cure.
figuratively, since I have no personal Therefore, it is up to the Dungeon
knowledge of any, nor have I Master to decide on a fitting one.
interviewed a reliable source who Since mishamels are only laid on
could bear witness to the events. those who truly deserve them, likely
These include a dissolution of the no one wants to offer a cure. On the
skeleton which leaves the victim fully other hand, an incurable curse can be
alive, yet incapable of retaining an effective way to threaten a
anything more than a baglike form: an character who flouts powers checks. If
irresistibility to stinging, swarming his act of evil injures the Vistani, even
insects; a full-body c a s e of gangrene; inadvertently. an unrepentant
violent hallucinations that actually
inflict physical damage; and even a
suit of armor that slowly contracted,
crushing the wearer bit by tiny bit.

F

A s dictated in Domains ofDread,

Chapter Twelve, each curse must

contain an escape clause, or it is little

more than a death sentence or

permanent handicap. Determining

exactly what breaks a curse is at least

a s important a s the curse itself,

because what breaks the curse often

defines the whole (new) direction of

the campaign. A cursed character

likely ignores all previous objectives

until the curse is broken. At the

Dungeon Master’s option, a clever

adventurer might earn a 50%chance

to shatter a curse by creating a

paradox within which the curse

! article of clothing or lock of hair, but it cannot operate. Note that
can be any object which the intended “redemption” in a Vistani curse
victim has held in the last day or so. amounts to righting whatever wrong
Sometimes the seer creates a doll or has been committed, for the Vistani
other image, or s h e takes an animal’s can withdraw their curses at will.

If a cursing Vistana has an item heart and drives spikes through it.
that belongs to the victim, add +25% This procedure adds power to the
to the curse’s chance of taking curse, and I think it allows the seer
effect. If the item has merely been to fester in her wrath while she
touched by the target, add only constructs the conduit. She can focus
+15% to the roll. A simple on the object of her hatred with
representation adds just +5%. increasing clarity, which helps to
Horrifying curses are wonderful tools drive the curse home.
to scare heroes, when they are
skillfully employed. Most important, When the focus item is complete,
the manifestation o f the curse must the Vistana holds it over a fire and
develop slowly. Introduce the pronounces the name of the victim.
symptoms gradually so that it takes Then she digs a shallow hole, places
a while for the adventurers to figure the object within, spits on it, and buries
out exactly what is happening, even it, pronouncing the name once more.
if the character is aware that he’s As she turns her back on the tiny
been cursed. Once a curse’s true grave, the curse begins to work.

is detected (horror checks BdngaaP
>eadvisable), drag out
ining the method of breaking Apparently the Vistani have the power
se (see later) until t h e to withdraw their curses at will.
ims have reached alarming However, they must truly wish to end
tions. Then challenge the the torment, and they cannot be
to achieve their goal by threatened or coerced into doing so.
them a genuine chance to
d or fail, depending on how Even if they are not disposed to
zy play. Strike a careful forgive, I believe that there is often a
e between hope and despair way to turn a curse in on itself, and
gling the cure in plain sight, thus destroy it. Those who suffer from
:eeping it just out of reach. a curse would do well to examine the
exact words (providing they were
present when the words were uttered),

,. , . . ” ., . ..

.,

for there is a good possibility that For examde. imaaine the words of a
some loophole exists. Theoretically, curse are “Nkvermore shall your sword
once it becomes impossible for a strike true until the Sea of Sorrows is
curse to manifest itself, the hex bereft of water.” If the recipient of this
shatters. Therefore, concentrate on curse were to give his sword to a friend,
words such as “if, when, until, by, but retain the use of it, he might
because,” and any others that create a actually get around the curse, but it
would not be broken. But he might
-conditional phrase. Keep in mind that break the curse by filling a jar of water
from the Sea of Sorrows and letting it
merelv avoidina the behavior that evaporate. Or he might try writing the
triggers a curse is not the s a m e a s word “true”on a piece of paper, then
making circumstances impossible for striking it with a sword.
the curse to manifest. Rather, the trick
is to determine the condition that TheEvil 670
causes the curse, then alter that
condition in such a way that the curse A relatively little-known power of the
Vistani is their ability to assault an
cannot form. adversary with the evil eye. All Vistani are
capable of using the euil eye, but females
The Evil Ege are more able, and the seer and raunie
The euil eye is a gaze attack similar are by far the most effective casters.
to that of a basilisk or a vampire.
Each Vistana can invoke it up to According to Arturi, the process of
three times per day. For those invoking the euil eye is both simple and
Dungeon Masters who make powers difficult, It is the former because the
checks for their nonplayer Vistana merely looks into the eyes of
characters, invoking the euil eye his adversary and focuses negative
prompts a 1%chance of attracting emotions on them. It is the latter
the attention of dark powers, because summoning anger and hatred
modified by any of the situations on cue is not always easy to do; indeed,
defined in Domains ofDread, those who do so without effort soon
Chapter Seven. become evil creatures themselves, and
in the long run are cast out of the tribe.
The victim is entitled to make a (It is said that the euil eye is the only
saving throw vs. paralyzation, with Vistani power left to a darkling.)
success indicating an avoidance of
this minor curse. As Van Richten The first time one is struck by the
suggests, conditions can modify the evil eye, one’s senses are assaulted in a
roll of the die, a s outlined in the
table below. Conditions are not
cumulative.

Evil 6ye CheckModiflemT&le

Modifier Condition
+1 Victim previously made a
successful saving throw
-1 against an euil eye invoked
by the same Vistana.
-2 Victim previously failed a
-3 saving throw against a
4to +4 power invoked IJY the
same Vistana.
Vistana is female.
Vistana is a seer or raunie.
Victim owns an euii eye

amulet.

R

way most people never imagined mown WWb
possible. Quite literally, the amazement
which accompanies the force of a There are four known effects of falling
Vistana's will is overwhelming, and few under the euil eye. The first and most
have the fortitude to resist its effects.
Fortunately, the ability is not overtly common manifestation is a paralyzing
magical, so the experience of suffering force. The Vistana locks the victim in
from it can actually gird one against place like a cobra freezes a bird.
future assaults. It is, in fact, possible to Occasionally, the force of the evil
throw offthe evil eye's effects through eye is so powerful that the victim
sheer force of will, especially if the experiences a seizure which he may

Vistana fails on the first attempt. or may not survive!
The other known applications of the

euil eye create effectssimilar to wizard
spells, inspiring fear, charmlng the
victim, or even planting a hypnotic
suggestion in his mind. These
inducements are not a s powerful as
their magical counterparts, however.

Usually, they do little more than provide
the Vistana with a distraction or a few
minutes to escape pursuit.

It would also seem that the Vistani
have the ability to cast the evil eye on
animals, objects, monstersindeed,
they can invoke this ability to

influence virtually anybody and

anything. Such power is fleeting, but
they know how to use it strategically,
saving it for moments when it serves
them best.

The Vistana can invoke any of the The euil eye can also be used to
following effects with the euil eye.
curse items. The Vistana only need look
Paralyzation lasts ld4tl rounds, on an object to force a saving throw vs.
during which time the victim is affected disintegration (DUNGEOMNASTER Guide,
a s if caught by a hold spell. If the Table 29). If the roll fails, all dice-rolling
saving throw to avoid the attack fails
associated with the affected item suffers
by more than 4,the victim becomes a -1 penalty for ld4+1 rounds. Any
absolutely rigid for 2 rounds, then
magical Item used during that period
experiences violent convulsions that simply fails to function on the first try. If
last 3 rounds, inflicting 3d8 points of
the item is charged, one charge is lost
damage in the proces3. Following the
convulsions, the victim must make a in the attempt to use it.
System Shock roll. If it fails, the char- Virtually any object can be cursed
acter dies. If successful, the character
by the euil ege, but the Dungeon
falls unconscious and is merely
"asleep," easily wakened. A hold spell Master must choose the exact effect.
For example, the euil eye focused on a
prevents the victim from convulsing pursuer's horse might cause it to stum-
(and suffering damage), but the
System Shock roll is still required. ble and fall, a dish of food might be
instantly soured, or the strings of a
Fear; charm, and suggestion operate
bard's instrument might suddenly
exactly a s do the spe!ls of the same snap. In general, the euil ege does not

names, except each effect lasts only inflict damage, although it might be

employed to lead to injury, as in the
case of the falling horse.

v;j;on i j the ari of qm;; /hiss invidh

- J o n a t h a n Swift
“Thoughts on Various Subjects”

1,.1 ..% 1n this chapter, I shall speak more personal, than most other forms
’ ofeven more remarkable of divination.
‘I * adbeislcitriiebsetdh.aInn any I have yet I do not believe that any of the physical
cases where I components themselves are the source
of the fortunes told by the Vistani.
I have not been a personal Whether one tosses bones, Counts
ripples in a glass of wine, or even spits
.,wLY~.: .c the phenomena, I have
on a window, the actual power to see is
depended on the reliability of my
‘ortune-telling
source; the reader must trust my 4 little research reveals there are
iorens of known media for fortune-
judgment of each witness’s character. .elling. Cultures around the globe
3ave produced myriad fascinating
Better still, do not rely on any anecdote 3gents, from the Chinese 1 Ching to
;he Native American vision lodge. For
I recount here as gospel. I may have
3 change of venue from the tarokka
misinterpreted phenomena I have deck, use any of the known types of

looked on myself. Nevertheless, being a “-mancy,”or possibly invent
something unique to your campaign.
little prepared is better than being
For example, a seer might pluck a
unprepared altogether. hair from the head of each hero, then
sprinkle these over a pool of water
FwciwfSigM and examine the way they swirl. Or a
Vistana might order an adventurer to
Who does not know that Vistani tell prick his finger and let a drop Of
fortunes? Although their tarokka cards blood fall into a fire so she can listen
and crystal balls are well-known tools of to the sound and duration of the hiss.
prognostication, any number of Quick-tongued Dungeon Masters can
methods and scrying devices exist to “spontaneously” interpret by drawing
together elements of the physical
explore the future and past: chiromancy
(palm reading), astrology, sortilege action (the swirling off hairs, the hiss

(casting of lots), haruspication of burning blood) and elements of the
(inspecting the entrails of animals), fortune to be told.

oneiromancy (dream interpretation), Since the players themselves know
geomancy (interpretations of random that fortune-telling is only a dramatic
patterns in dust), pyromancy (reading plot device, the idea is to make the
flame),even ornithoscopy (observation reading interesting. Pay attention to
ofbirds’ flight patterns). I have seen tone; do not give in to silliness; and
most media invoked at one time or
another through the years, although ..-_remember to roleplay. Other than
cartomancy-reading the tarokka-is
by far the most common method. t.h, at~I, w...Lh^aLtever surprises t+hhea pn,l*a.yrPerrqs ii 9s
what serves the adventure best.
I have no doubt that tarokka cards
are the most prevalent because they are A deck of tarokka cards was last
so easily carried. Perhaps equally printed with the RAVEN LO^ Campaign
important, however, is the fact they can Setting boxed set (TSR #1108).
be imbued with arcane power. Thus Instructions on using them appeared
they should be more accurate, and in the Domains and Denizens booklet
therein.
Q

P

, .. heritable trait that causes, or perhaps
allows, prescient vision.
a internal. All the rest is merely a matter
of custom or convenience; a Vistana TheRthl6w
who looks into a crystal ball everyday
could just as easily crush a dead leaf Indeed, when I asked Arturi if men
and see the future in the powder of its could read fortunes, he vehemently
remains. Personal preference seems to replied in the negative, “Only a giver of
be the deciding factor. Life may look on the future and past of
As to the origin of prescience in the others without inviting destruction,” he
Vistani, I think there may be some explained, “Death stalks those who see
magic involved, but the fact of the through time, seeking to preserve the
matter is that giorgios do not secrets of the past and future, but Death
understand the nature of time. To most cannot touch a woman.” He went on to
of us, it is a linear, inescapable explain that all Vistani females are
progression of collective reality. We capable of fortune-telling.
believe the present moment is the same
fleeting segment no matter where one There is almost always a tribal seer
goes in the universe, and we all in every caravan of each tasque.
vehemently insist that we live nowhere Normally it is the eldest female in the
else. But the observable Vistani attitude group, but one Vatraska caravan I met
toward time is not the same, and had a seer who was quite a bit younger
neither is their grasp of it. An esteemed than other women in the family, and I
colleague of mine who knows as much have heard reports of similar
of the Vistani as any giorgio, a sage- circumstances elsewhere. In any event,
philosopher of Mortigny named the tribal seer’s powers of augury are
Andrianna Cardarelle, responded to this the most potent, and she is often
issue in a recent letter: capable of entering a trancelike state to
“Time is purely an arbitrary invention perform readings, to locate a person or
of the mind, providing us with a means thing, or to act as a medium for spirits.
to express relationships between She is equal in status to the raunie,
memories, experiences, and dreams. though not equal in authority. Rather,
The first we call the past, the second she is like a queen’s prized counselor,
the present, and the third the future. All except she is royal herself.
of them are merely perceptions that
register in the mind and are recorded, TheJ-eg~doffh~rnm
and none is less real than any other.
Thus we “look backward and forward Only partially satisfied with Arturi’s
much as we look at the present.
“The Vistani simply possess a slightly explanation of why females alone can tell
more sophisticated perspective of this fortunes, I asked why it might not be
vision than the rest of us. Even though
past, present, and future all exist in the remotely possible for a male to be born
mind, most non-Vistani cannot freely with the sightsay, once in a century.
move between the three, mentally or The idea distressedhim, and I asked why.
otherwise. The Vistani, however, can.”
I know not if this faculty is inborn or “The gift of sight is detected in
learned, If the latter is the case, then all babies by both the raunie and the
Vistani should have the power to look seer,” he explained, “and such a male
ahead and back in time. If the former is would be immediately put to death,
true, then perhaps some have the sight
and others do not. Personally, I believe even in a caravan where birth is rare,
the ability to tell fortunes is inborn,
simply because it appears that only even though the Vistani cherish their
females can become seers. This gender- children to a depth no giorgio could
relatedness indicates that there is some ever understand.”

/;3 “But that makes no sense,” I said.
“This boy you refer to would grow up
LA to be the Dukkardhe one who is

6 prescience, then embarks on an
astounding array of atrocities for which
d The Dukkar both gods and giorgios blame the
Van Richten’s reference to the “Great Vistani. In the end, the entire Vistani
Upheaval of 740” is, of course, the nation is wiped from the face of the
Grand Conjunction (see Chapter One land, in various and terrible ways.
of Domains ojDread). Hyskosa was a
prescient male Vistana (a Dukkar) who The Vistani insist a Dukkar has
appeared in From the Shadows (TSR recently walked the domains of our
#9375). The Vistani are paranoid about world, and he caused the Great
the possibility of a Dukkar wandering Upheaval of 740, which reshaped our
the domains, since he is a “blind spot” land. Hyskosa, they name him, with a
in their amazing vision. Therefore, they curse and a ward against the evil eye.
are never sure if a Dukkar has been They say Death found and took
born or if fear is creating a specter in Hyskosa, but not before he caused
their imaginations. After Hyskosa, the great evil. They also claim that he will
next Dukkar became the cambion fiend be back. This prediction seems the
Malocchio Aderre (see the previous greatest, perhaps the only, fear in any
section, “Demons,”Chapter Five, for Vistani heart.
details).
If adventurers seek out the services Furthermore, Arturi whispered to m e
of Vistani, and the Dungeon Master that a new Dukkar has arisen on our
does not have a particular task for world, and that Dukkar’s name is none
them to perform in payment, they can
always be asked to investigate the other than Malocchio Aderre of Invidia! I
possible existence of a Dukkar. This
goal can be an excuse to send them have made myself a promise to further
to the next phase of their quest, or it investigate this at a future time.
might become a side adventure, but
the Dukkar himself never appears. At AKeyW&eas
best, the heroes might recover
evidence that a Dukkar exists. Curiously, for all their ability to look into
The Euil €ye (TSR #5497), an
adventure module about the Vistani, the past and future, the Vistani are
centers on the emergence of a
Dukkar (Malocchio Aderre). Dungeon apparently incapable of self-evaluation
Masters looking for a n excellent
example of a Dukkar, as well a s how through the medium of prescience.
the Vistani deal with him. should
consult that adventure. Certainly they can look ahead and

Therefore, he would be killed before behind and see themselves there, but
that opportunity arose.”
for some reason they cannot focus on
The legend of the Dukkar appears in
the doroq of many tribes. The tale has those moments in time with the same
several forms, but in essence, it tells of
a boy who is born with powers of sight, clarity a s they can when reading for
unbeknownst to the Vistani (or outside
their jurisdiction, or to a darkling, others. A less sophisticated mind might
depending on 1:he teller). Alarmingly,
they cannot di!scover who or where he is speculate that the gods impose this
until too late, iin spite of their most
powerful magic:and clearest sight. This restriction to deprive the Vistani of the

, abomination a,x r u e s a variety of power to control their own destiny.
~ nefarious pow6:IS in addition to
I rather suspect that, a s is the case for

so many of us, what seems a simple

operation when performed on others

becomes impossible when we attempt it

on ourselves. For example, many people

who give wonderful advice are incapable

of following it themselves, and there is a

well-known adage which proclaims that

a doctor who treats himself has a fool for

a patient. It is human nature to remain

totally blind to ourselves, even when we

see others with crystalline clarity.

For the very same reason we seldom

can examine ourselves with clear @

-

objectivity, I submit that the Vistani killing my mount, yet still I had not
cannot perform any but the most caught them by the time the sun went
rudimentary auguries for their own down. That night, I learned they had
information. This is why they so often escaped through fog and mist, and had
demand services of giorgios who been beyond my reach almost from the
request their help. This is why they start. My proof of this truth came when I
cannot control the ebb and flow of time was myself escorted by a Vistana using
for their own profit. Above all, this mist nauigation. We traveled from the
weakness may well reflect their refusal western border of Darkon to the
to substantially affecttime, even if they northern border of Barovia in only a few
have the power to do so-since they minutes, despite the fact that hundreds
cannot clearly read the effect of of miles lie between those domain~~ s as
changing history on their own fate, the raven flies! Had I not done so, I
there is no way they will risk disaster by would never have caught up with the
using the powers they possess. Radanavich caravan, I would never
have had that fateful confrontation with
MstHWigEdion Firdusa Radanavich, and I would have
had a very different life.
I learned the Vistani were not common
creatures on the day the Corvara took The power to travel through fog and
my son and fled Rivalis all those years mist cannot be explained, even by the
ago. I lek town on a fast horse that
morning, barely an hour behind them, Vistani. When I asked, “How is it done?
and rode a s hard as I could without
they answered, “How does one fall
-.Mi.st. N~a~uioation asleep? How does one wake up? One
~~ simply does.” Friendlier tribes, like the

In the RAVENLOFTworld, mist nauigation RAVENLOFT setting can stalk the mistv~~ ~
is a means of moving characters across realms. In fact, even creatures
large expanses in a matter of minutes inappropriate to a classic horror settins
or less-and it is the purview of the might appear, lending a tone of
Dungeon Master alone. Mist nauigation surrealism to the adventure.
is, in game terms, a form of
extradimensional travel and time travel, Play games with the adventurers a s
but Vistani can do so at will and without they travel along. Tell them that they
limitation. Creating rules that explain turn around and find the Vistani who
mist nauigation can only restrict a were taking them through are gone.
Dungeon Master’s ability to employ Reduce their movement rates to MV 3
them when needed, so none are as soon as they hear a pack of
described here. deranged wolves approaching, then
treat all characters-player and
However, this travel can be a nonplayer characters a l i k e a s if they
frightening setting for adventure. Once have been double-hastedthe moment
the fog has swallowed the party, battle begins. (Everyone quadruples
strange noises, thumps that slowly movement and attacks; roll initiative
come closer and closer, flitting normally.) Reverse the order of
shadows in the gray twilight, and other initiative after it has been established,
lurking dangers can drive heroes to either arbitrarily or with the roll of a die.
distraction. Remember that not all (This drives some players nuts!)
threats are real, and true danger leaps Announce that the party seems to be
out of the shadows when the heroes affectedby the reverse of comprehend
think they have avoided it. languages, just a s a group of monsters
moves in to attack-make everyone
There are always mist horrors out write down all intended actions for each
there (see the first RAVENf-OF7 melee round, and allow no table talk
IVO,VS~RCOIJUMSPENDIUAVppendir), but between players. In short, do anything
any monster appropriate to the that creates a nig-htmarish feel.

C 171

L

Kamti, went so far as to explain that a Vistani naturally possess the
raunie wills a fog to rise, and her Tracking proficiency in the same
captain directs the caravan through the
blind f o d u t on the particulars of how manner as rangers, similarly
these feats are acconiplished, they improving with experience levels (or
would not comment. Hit Dice). As mist navigation allows
them to travel unlimited distances,
While a traveler is using mist
nauigation, time and space grow their tracking magic fMollows the
immeasurable, and time perhaps even same extradimensional pathways and
reverses or advanceri at a great rate. A therefore has unlimited range. If the
Vistani want to find someone, they
trip from Ludendorf in northwestern will. Conversely, if they know a party
Lamordia to Arbora Iin southwestern of adventurers is following them, they
can easily track its progress and
Nova Vaasa does noi: necessarily disappear in moments.
require any more tirrle than an
excursion from one Ei d e of Forlorn to Spells and items that protect
against detection and location also
the other: it is impossible to say which prevent the Vistani from locating a
journey lasted longet._I am not hero, although they might concentrate
on his horse or companions to
implying that both tiips become equal achieve the same result.
in time and distance: I am saying that
it is impossible to perceive the
difference between ttiem. Eternity and
an instant are indistiiiguishable. The
personal possession of his quarry to be
journey does not seem, subjectively, to found, which he affixes to the pointing
be very long: little or no time at all
passes in the world ciutside this end of the stick. Then the Vistana holds

blanket of blindness. the forked arms and lets the stick subtly

Unfortunately, the Imly occurrence tug him in the direction of his man.
If the target of the search is farther
that can render time Ineaningful during away, and nothing is available with
mist nauigation is the appearance of a
hostile creature. That misfortune, I am which to “bait” the rod, the seer
sometimes produces a small silver pin
snrrv, t-o- say, can make a trip seem and delicately places it in a bowl of
intermirtable. It is possible, the Vistani
water such that it actually rests on the
report, to encounter 11x t monsters in the surface of the liquid. She then places
vapors, creatures mal-le of malevolent her hands on each side of the bowl and
dmen too wildI and violent to
concentrates on the person or object
explain how they got there, and horrors she seeks. Slowly, the pin floats to the
: unknown. Sometimes the Vistani can center of the bowl, swings about, and
control,31 repel these threats, and points in the direction in which the
!;
i sometinies they canniOt.
target lies. Then the seer begins to
,! count aloud, and when she hits upon
TraJa’r,
’Lgw c the number of miles between her and
the target, the pin sinks. Obviously, this
Probabl?y because o f their kinship with method of tracking requires absolute
nature, ithe Vistani arc! excellent
stillness on the part of the seer and
trackers. Certainly thf:powers of a seer those around her, but it is remarkably
can enhance the abiliity to find people-
accurate, and apparently unlimited in its
and objfscts as well-I >ut the Vistani also range as well.
possess a few arcane means to achieve
those erids. For example, a few farmers
Slowing fhepFas
know that a forked stick can be held in
The speed of a Vistani caravan is not
both ha]7ds and empli3yed to discover great. When there is need to overtake
the undisrground pres’ence of water, but faster prey, or perhaps to outdistance
a Vistana might use a divining rod to
man as well. Iill he needs is a faster hunters, the raunie threads a
?c

172 A

IC-.

needle, then pricks her finger, squeezing
a drop of her blood onto the point. She
then ties the thread to the back of her
uardo and allows the needle to drag in
the dirt behind. Somehow, this slows or
hinders the person or persons whom
s h e hopes to evade or catch.

Whether or not the heroes know little heed, but Arturi assured me that
they are being tracked by Vistani, the animal movements are a part ofthe
Dungeon Master can subtly or overtly tapestry of life: When an animal alters
impede their progress. For example, its daily habits or disappears, the tribes

, after they are reassured that the next -notice the change immediately, just a s a

village is three hours' ride ahead, tell weaver would see a tanale or hole
them it took four hours to reach the appearing in her fabric. Hence, every
destination, but do not explain where
creature of the forest is a sentry on the
1 they lost the hour. In combat, slow perimeter of the caravan.

their movement rates by 3, and tell In particular, the tiny gray and white
them to add +3 to their initiative rolls: birds called uista-chiri,which flitter
again, do not explain. Both protection almost invisibly through the treetops,
from euii and its reverse defend a are effective spies. I have seen them
character from this power. swoop down to light on the fingers of

Like druids, Vistani have an affinity for
the wild animals of the forest. Natural
creatures tend to gravitate toward them
and follow them as they travel. The
Vistani seem to pay these companions

Vista-chiri As Van Richten suggests, a raunie
An adventurer who actively searches can communicate with vista-chin as if
she had cast speak with animals. The
the trees for oista-chirihas a 40% ability is natural, requires no casting
chance to spot them if present; rangers time, and does not have a limited
duration. The little bird can tell the
and druids enjoy a +lo%bonus to the raunie how many intruders there are
and whether they have the "smell" of
roll, +20% if they have the Animal Lore hostility on them, as well a s their
direction and distance.
proficiency and make a successful
check. Heroes can roll to spot the birds Strangers are spotted a quarter
once per turn of active searching, mile from the caravan, about a five-
minute walk on clear, level ground.
which slows a character's movement The birds need one round to reach the
rate by 3. Of course, the birds' Vistani, plus l d 4 more rounds to
presence does not guarantee the
proximity of a Vistani troupe. locate and communicate with the
raunie. Whether the Vistani have time
Vistachin and other creatures in the to further identify the outsiders
through their seer's powers depends
vicinity of a caravan make it nearly im- on how fast the strangers are moving
possible to surprise the Vistani. Adven-
turers have a -6 penalty to do so. Only
by casting commune with nature can a

druid (and only a druid) pass unde-
tected into the Vistani's midst, requiring

;E potency. But there is something more,
something that I cannot pinpoint and
* that they will not verify. I almost hesitate
to say what I believe to be the fact of the
Vistani, and I a m to1d a raunie can matter, for my hypothesis is staggering.
understand their Ianguage. If one is
searching for the Vi:jtani, vista-chin in I believe that evil itself fears the
the branches overhe:ad are the first Vistani! How do I come to this
indication that the VTstani are close. Of conclusion? By falling upon the chief
course, by that time the Vistani have maxim of inductive reasoning, put forth
probably been notified of the seeker by by my old friend Alanik Ray: When all
the birds. other explanations have been ruled out,
whatever conclusion remains-however
P0Wes.a OYT Mcm+m absurd-cannot help but be the truth.
The evidence which leads me to my
This land of ours has often been unkind "absurd" belief is a s follows:
to us. We lock our d001s by night and
hope nothing come6i through the They exhibit powers over time and
window; we avoid strangers who seem space which no other creature, living
overly friendly; we seek the protection or dead, can perform. For example,
of each other's cornpany when the natural fog and mists seem to obey
lights go out; and at times we step them: coming when called, leaving
boldly forth to confront evil, armed with when bidden, carrying them by some
the silver sword and the holy symbol. means to any place they choose. The
Yet this is not the wi2y of the Vistani. Vistani merely command it.
Witness also their prescient sight, and
One of the most im~azingthings how some of them can even move
about these people is the fact that they from one point in time to another with
live out of doors in Ispite of the obvious little or no conscious effort. Is this an
dangers. How is it ttiat they are not torn ability which can be artificially
to shreds by werebeasts, or drained of reproduced, even by a lich? What
life by ghosts, or turned into monsters manner of beings are they, really?
themselves by a varnpire? They cannot Sadly, the Vistani will not say.
ward their doors agiiinst the The evil eye is known and feared
encroachment of evil, for most have no even by the most diabolical monsters
door to close, let alc)ne lock! I have ever met and battled. Witness
the following journal entry, taken
Certainly they ha?<etheir magical from the diary of a nosferatu of
wards against uninte,Iligent creatures- Forlorn, a creature that I destroyed
zombies, malevolent plants, and the like. years ago.
They even have theiI own version of
holy symbols, althoiigh these are natural 'Twas a pack of goblyns what flushed

/3 rather than endowedI with divine the vagabonds from their tire, throwing
rocks from the bowers a n d naming foul
names upon them. I were drawn by
their sweet human blood, and were
only spying from the shadows-/ knew
better than to cross them, I did.

Suddenly the vagabonds were
rushing through the undergrowth,
scattering the gruesome beasties who
worship the ghost of Castle Tristenoira
as if they were rabbits in the bushes.
Then, one of them came upon me in my

Ghiding spot. Before I could pee, she foed

me solid with her eye, locking me in my This forbearance seems incredible. It
place with no more than a look. forces m e to a leap of logic perhaps no
reader will follow: Could the Vistani be
In a fright, [snarled a t her: That the true rulers of this Land of ours? Mad
would haue put any normal human into you might call me, but tot up the
a dead run in the opposite direction, but evidence for yourself. If It is true, it is
ironic in the extreme that they are
she laughed and turned her back on abused so by the common giorgio.
me. The paralysis left me, but I dared not Those who have the most to fear in the
strike her: My life is misery enough misty domains wax impudent where
without a curse to dog my steps as well! powerful lords hesitate to offend.

-From the private journal of
Nilan McCoumbe

McCoumbe's remarks indicate that not Considering my long enmity with the
Vistani, it would be natural to assume I
only he, a reasonably intelligent being, have had no relationship with them
was afraid of the Vistani, but so were whatsoever. In fact, I have associated
the thick-skull goblyns of Forlorn, which with a few persons of Vistani blood over
the years. I even established a prolonged
are creatures renowned for their correspondence with a mortu Vistana
insensitivity to danger. The Vistani, on named Cyrilla Deschamps, who aided
the other hand, feared neither monster, me in terminating a particularly cunning
and apparently had no reason to do so. werewolf while she was still of the blood.
Our common enemy thrust us together
So, the Vistani control time and only temporarily, and we quickly parted
space, and they are not afraid of evil company when the beast had been
that walks the night. If this is not dispatched, for each of us felt an acute
sufficient reason to wonder at their true sense of distaste in the other's presence.
nature, then consider the following fact:
Cyrilla contracted lycanthropy during
The Vistani are respected by even the our mutual foray. Fortunately, the
most powerful rulers! Lord Azalin hates monster we slew was the progenitor of
its line. She sought out an abjurist
them, I know from his own words, yet priest, who removed the taint of
lycanthropy from her without incident.
they come and go through Darkon in
Nevertheless, she was ostracized by
spite of his wrath, apparently eluding her tribe, condemned by the karash,
his horrifying border patrols of blood-

sucking golems (called blood hunters)
and the dreaded Kargat. Strahd von

Zarovich welcomes them in his lands,
especially the Zarovan, and it is said
that he has actually divulged secrets
regarding his domain to Madame Eva,
their raunie. In land after land, the
Vistani conduct their affairsvirtually
unmolested by the lord's authorities, if
any exist.

Make no mistake, you who read
these words: Those who rule these

domains are powerful men and women,
and many are noted for their brutality.
Perhaps tyranny is the only way to
govern an evil land-what evil fears
must also horrify the good, so that all
labor under a yoke of terror. Whatever
reason, those across the domains who

assume the mantle of power almost

uniformly wield a scepter of fear.

3 Yet they do not harass the Vistani.

even after sht:had been cured! By the Vistani body, which lies dormant a s
Vistani law, h<~r blood had been tainted, long a s they remain active. However, if
they fail to generate sufficient body heat,
automatically eliminating her from the or fail to take in enough oxygen, or fail
family tree lik e a pruned branch. some other biological function directly
related to nomadism, the virus grows. In
Iwas the only giorgio Cyrilla knew at turn, a dangerous fever inhabits the
all, so she caime to me. I situated her brain, destroying those parts of it which
with Mrs. Matirina, a funny old neighbor engender all salient and almost all
common powers. Of course, the process
of mine in Mcirdentshire, who had could be entirely magical a s well,
although no mage I have consulted
enough room in her home, and enough could explain it a s such.
charity in her heart, to help someone
start a new life. All that remains certain is the
Vistana-no, the mortu-becomes a
Shortly aft(~ rC, yrilla grew ill. I radically changed person. He must
implored the Vistana to allow m e to either think like a giorgio or go mad, so
he loses his unique perspectives on
treat her feveir, but she would not time and space, even his peculiar
tolerate it. She insisted that she only affinity with the moon. Bitterness often
wanted to rest, and sent m e away. A claims him. He becomes a nervous,
suspicious creature, demanding solitude
few days late]., I visited Cyrilla, and sure on a regular basis.

I enough her febver had broken. But there Some mortu grow restless and take
was somethintg different about her, a to the road, becoming adventurers,
secretly hoping that their former selves
certain helplessness that had never will return. They do not make friends
existed before:. Cyrilla was never quite easily, but they are ruthlessly efficient in
the same per!son again. combat, and therefore people I would
prefer to have on my side.
Herein lies the only real weakness of
the Vistani, a:I I have pointed it out: By Static Burn
ceasing to be nomadic, they cease to A Vistana begins to experience static
be Vistani. WIien they are land-bound, burn after remaining within 1 mile of
either by forc,e or by choice, they lose any point for longer than a week.
their formidat)le native powers and Exercise or “walking laps” in the area
become mortu, comparatively has no effect on this. Regardless of
powerless huinans. the Vistana’s activities, he falls ill on
the eighth day, and ld6+1 days later,
No Vistana expresses the slightest his Vistani powers disappear forever.

yearning for a place to call home. In fact, He becomes mortu (see the DUNGEON
Vistani actual1y fall sick when they stay MASTERAppendix for this section).
too long in one place. They exhibit flulike
symptoms an,d break out in a rash that When Vistani are arrested or
reddens them from head to toe. Lying otherwise captured, they quickly tell
down does not help-to the contrary, their captors they “will die” if they are
walking about eventually makes them imprisoned. They do not explain what
feel better (wtiich should come a s no they mean, but threaten to curse their
surprise)-yet they grow listless and ever jailers if they “die.” If adventurers are
more sedentairy. A fever rages in their involved in detaining the Vistana, a
1%powers check is in order. If they
heads, and wtien it finally breaks, they know about static burn and capture a
are no longer Vistani. The tasques have Vistana, the check is 7%,a s this
no name for tlhis illness, a s if they would action amounts to torturing a neutral
deny its very,existence, but I call this nonplayer character.
condition static burn.

As my anecdote above demonstrates,
performing a medical examination is out
of the question-a perceived frontal
assault on Vistani privacy-so I am

, unable to detc:Imine the physical
mechanism oF this condition. However,

based on my observations a s a doctor, I

f 3 here is some latent virus in
suspect that

J

3 -Edna St. Vincent Millay
“A Few Figs from Thistles”
3 my candie burns at bofh ends,

zhf,Jt will not lad the

@ut. ah, my foer. and oh.my frmd-

Jtjiws a /ody iiqht.

c

curiously commingled joy me, even if it means forfeiting my life.”
and despair filled my breast “Then arm yourself for a battle to the

’ -1when I had finally death,” he replied, drawing a knife from
,, .+ concluded my observations his boot.

t ~of:the Vistani-joy at the I had no intention of resisting his
attack. I stood, my arms extended,
r im.za: :. .:hat those i had dreaded a s hands loosely curled, prepared to
my longrime enemies had never really
been enemies at all, and despair for all receive his judgment. He seized my left
the wasted decades-yes, decades-f wrist and shook my hand until the
bitter anger and resentment. fingers opened. The judgment of the
uishnadd, I thought. I resolved to
I have paid an extraordinary price for receive stoically the pull of his blade
my hatred, paid for it with the lives of across my palm. But he exposed his
my friends and loved ones. I might have own palm and opened it as well.
settled the debt at any time these many
years, yet I chose to go on hating, n e blood rite! With a sound clap our
resolved to continue feeding the infernal hands clasped, mine swinging to meet
fires of my curse. What a damned fooli his on impulse. My mind reeled with the
have been! sanctity of this gift, and the uncertainty
as to what I should do, say, or feel. Arturi
Yes, the Vistani are an alien and sheathed his knife, pulled a pure white
potentially dangerous people, but they scarf from his pocket, and wrapped our
are not a menace unless one makes bleeding members tightly. A throbbing
himself the same to them. I now believe
that I brought dire misfortune on myself, pulse reached a crescendo in my veins
that I embraced my curse rather than as our crimson essences mingled,
pushed it away, and that there is blood pounding in my head, palpitating
on my hands because I dipped them through my body, until it seemed that my
into it with the malice of forethought.
Any responsibility the Vistani bore for blood must spray like a geyser from the
what I became ended on the day that I
decided to chase ghosts in the mists wound! Yet the scarf remained unstained.
instead of specters in my own past.
Arturi’s expression suggested he, too,
ThsLastGteps was affected, yet we exchanged no
word. Instead, we stared intently into
I informed Arturi I had concluded my
studies, and he must consider my curse one another’s eyes while our hearts beat

on his tribe nul! and void, for there was in unison, and we realized that our
little left to forgive. “I know not if there separate agonies had made us spiritual
is a ritual for such things,” I told him, twins, Our eyes brimmed and spilled
over in sympathy, yet we smiled and
a “but 1 will gladly do whatever you ask of
nodded together.
A single drop of our fused blood fell

between us. It hissed a s it struck the
dirt, like cold water on a hot griddle,
and a dense mist billowed up. Still we

clung to one another, almost oblivious,
until we were lost in a blind fog. It

” ,. . , .

TIE S~com Fdr“

voiceless ghosts, blotting out the the smooth, windward face of a ragged-
surrounding landscape, isolating us in a peaked range of mountains gleamed
timeless netherworld.
crimson in the last vestiges of daylight.
I know not how Iong we remained I turned to look behind me, and a thrill
there, for that which I call “time” lost all
meaning. I was transfiixed, enraptured. of fear washed through my body. The
For one brief and eternal moment I two of us now stood in a small, wooded
glimpsed the raw natiire of time itself-I
was a Vistana, with pcIwer to see the hollow, among the broken remains of an
past and future as clearly as the present. old Vistani caravan. Three uardos listed
I comprehended that Ino distance exists over rotted axles, their rounded roofs
between places or evfmts, that all things having fallen in long ago. Once-bright
lie directly before tho5;e who know how coats of red and yellow paint sloughed
to see them. My mind opened like an
overripe bud, transpoirting me into a off the spongy wood below. Stained-glass
multiverse of possibilities. I became
infinitesimal and infiniite at the same windows lay in tiny shards on the
time! My description is esoteric in the ground, or clung hopelessly to weather-
extreme, yet I must inisist it was as real worn sills, caked with filth.
to me as I am to you. “Do you remember this place?”

Suddenly, I was back in my own asked Arturi.
“giorgio”state of time:, for it dawned on I nodded. “We’re in Barovia. This is
me that some intervaI had passed. I
inhaled deeply and stretched my eyelids your family’s encampment, where it all
wide, glancing aroun(i me as my wits
returned. Slowly the Inists thinned and began.”
blew away. Arturi unvwrapped the scarf “Where it all began,” echoed the
that bound us togetht?r and let go of my
hand. I looked at my palm, smeared outcast. “And where it now will end.”
with red, and marvel€:d, for the cut of Solemnly he asked, “Rudolph Van
the knife was healed, leaving only a Richten, do you forgive my people the

bright purple scar. wrongs they have done you?” His face
When the mists had completely held both terror and apprehension.
“With all my heart!” I cried. “And am
dissipated, I surveyecI the scene. To the I forgiven for my crimes against the
west, the sun burned orange on the
horizon, giving up its luster to the Corvara and the Radanavich family?”
spreading cloak of dLisk. To the east. “Beyond all question!”
We shook hands, then embraced, and
for all the world I felt a cloud on my
soul lift and dissipate. “Is it done,
Arturi? Is it over?”
“There remains one last thing to do.”
“What? What do we do?”

Arturi gazed at the old encampment,

as if he could see it years ago-a merry
fire and a raven-haired girl gamboling

to a spirited violin; a throng of
Radanaviches clapping and singing,
unmindful of approaching doom.
“Burn it,” he finally said. “Burn it to

ashes.”
Briefly, Arturi cocked his head and

closed his eyes. “The dead are coming,”
he said. “We must hold them off until

we are done.”
The woods rustled with approaching

footsteps. Though the curse was all but

over, still dark was swiftly falling, and

we two stood unprotected by walls or
locks. It did not occur to me then to

question my companion’s continuing G

A.

a ..a a midsummer’s romp. We roared until
susceptibility,when I knew in my bones
the woods filled with our glee.
the shadow was lifted.
Quickly Arturi struck a spark while I At last a contemplative silence came

gathered dry scrub to pack beneath the over us, and Ithink we both dozed in
oardos’ frames. A zombie broke free of
the forest and strode toward Arturi, but I the warm morning sun. At length we

intercepted and crushed it to the ground arose and ate a bit of jerked beef which
with a heavy stick. The Vistana puffed at
a nest of brittle leaves and yellow grass, I carried in my pack, along with some
until it burst into flame. Another corpse
shuffled into view; I struck it down, to wild raspberries from the nearby brush
find yet another on its heels. On a slat of
oak bark, Arturi lifted his tiny fire to the and cold, fresh water from a stream that

wagons, and touched it to the brush. flowed to us out of the mountains. No
The scrub readily ignited. Soon, the
vardos blazed fiercely, and inky plumes thoughts of hunting the dead entered
of soot streaked the evening sky.
my mind, and no concerns for further
Throughout the night we held our
ground with raging flames behind us, investigation tainted my reverie. For the
desperately fending off zombies, ghouls,
first time since I could remember, I felt
unliving animals of all breeds, and even
a ghost. Time dissolved into an endless content to simply be.
stream of rotted assailants which piled
“I shall go home to Mordentshire,
at our feet a s we struck them down.
Sparks drifted over and caught on the write up my notes on the Vistani, and
desiccated flesh, augmenting the
take a long vacation,” I said to my dear
bonfire and helping to shield our flanks,
but surrounding us with blistering fire. I friend. “Perhaps the time has come to

thought surely we would be immolated return to Rivalis, my true home town.”
ourselves. I know not whence came my
strength to keep fighting, yet it was “If that is your wish,” said Arturi,
there, beyond reason and hope.
strangely melancholy. “I wish you well
“Go back!” I shouted a s dawn reached
over the Balinok Mountains and began to and all peace.”
push away the darkness. “There is
nothing here for you anymore! Go back!” “And you may return to the

To my astonishment, the undead Corvara!”
abruptly halted their advance, turned,
and shuffled back to the cover of the “No. I will never go back.”
deep forest beyond! Had I had that
power all the long night? Did I at last “What! Why not?”
turn back the undead I had summoned
so long ago? My mind was too numb to Arturi’s eyes saddened once more
contemplate the possibility.
and he shook his head slowly. “I am no
Arturi and I collapsed to the ground in
longer Corvara. I am not even sure that
exhaustion and lay there, silent but for
our gasping breath. Behind us, the I a m Vistana anymore. It has been too
oardos fell into gray, smoldering ashes.
Somewhere nearby, a mourning dove long, and too much has passed.” H e
began to coo heartily, encouraging the
rising sun, filling my spirit with such looked at m e and asked, “Is it not the
lightness that I thought I, too, could take
wing. Arturi’s eyes and mine met, and same with you?”

r3 we both began to laugh like children on “I-” A desperate desire arose in m e

to convince him that we could both a
leave our pasts behind, yet I knew

to the south. I have not seen him since
that day.

4Fiml F v w 4

My notes for this Guide to the Vistani

are now transcribed and committed to a

local scribe, who will make several

copies for me and my scholarly

associates. I cannot say that this is my

finest work, but it is certainly the most

important, for in its conclusion I find

that I may finally put down my pen and

I let it rest.
There remains so much evil across

i the domains, so much work for men

and women of a heroic bent to

immediately that he was right. “Then complete. I wish I could say with the

you must come home with me, slightest conviction that I have made a

Arturi,” I said at last. “We shall difference with my work and publi-

concoct and sell herbal remedies a s cations, but only time-whatever that

partners and friends. We shall live as is-will tell. However history judges

carefree bachelors. We shall forge a me, I think my part in its making is

new future for ourselves to replace done. Surely there might be further

the past.” adventures for me, as nothing remains

The Vistana smiled softly. “By now forever buried in the past here in our

you should know that the past does not world, yet I a m certain that my role a s

lie behind us. It is part of what we are, a leader of the crusade is finished.

part of what we will always be. I am the And, I must hasten to add, I am

Outcast, and it is my fate to wander grateful for that!

this world.” Sometimes the temptation to again

“Come now, Arturi! Our curse is take up the mallet and stake inflames

broken. Is there nothing good that can my spirit, bids me to rise with the full

come of that?” moon and ride into the night-the old

“We are what we are, and that is not trumpet of glory still calls to me. Yet I

such a bad thing, is it?” He stood up must resist. There is only so much that

and dusted himself off. “This land is one man can accomplish, and I dare

filled with evil, yet there is much say I have done more than most.

goodness in it, and it is beautiful. I do Tonight, I shall sit by the fire until it

not think that I would care to settle winks out, with a snifter in one hand

down, even though the dead have and a novel in the other. Then I shall

stopped chasing me. Perhaps I am still retire to my bed and sleep in peace. I

Vistana after all.” hope to dream of my beloved Ingrid and

“As true a Vistana as there ever Erasmus, and of all the wonderful

was!” I assured him, rising to my own friends I have known throughout the

feet and clapping him on the back. years. In the morning I will rise and

“Proud and defiant, clear-eyed and open my door to admit sweet breezes

wise.” and sunshine. I will sit by my window

“Goodbye, Rudolph Van Richten, and drink tea, and perhaps welcome a

giogoto and my friend.” friend or two. And I hope, gentle reader,

“Goodbye, Arturi Radanavich.” that you will do the same.

With that, I turned to the north, -Dr. Rudolph Van Richten

seeking the old Svalich Road and the Mordentshire, Mordent

way to Mordentshire, and Arturi turned QKing’s Calendar 742

-.

a ~ 1 0 s w -oypYi%ni ~enns Mortu: One who is no longer considered

Blood rite: A mingling of blood, spiritually a Vistana. A person who willfully
joining two people. A giorgio invited to leaves a tribe is considered mortu.
complete the blood rite becomes a Usually, the Vistana loses all special
giogoto when the ritual is over. native powers.
Paatern: A very subtle, prearranged
Bourdad A dry, red berry wine, imbibed signal between two Vistani.
on solemn occasions. (The Vistani do Patterna: The Vistani dialect, made of
not often drink intoxicating beverages.) words borrowed from many languages.
Porda: A natural curative that either
Braxat: A common Vistani poison that heals or nauseates the imbiber.
slowly immolates its imbiber. Prastona: A Vistani g-irl who dances the
prastonata.
Captain: The male leader of a caravan. Prastonata: The traditional evening
Doroq: The ritualistic telling of legends dance around the campfire.
Raunie: The female leader of a caravan.
and stories around the campfire. Shalach-ti:A state of banishment from the
Dukkar, The: A Vistani abomination in tribe, usually for some heinous crime.
The offending Vistana is ritually, and
the form of a male seer, who is permanently, cast into the darkness.
prophesied to bring doom on all Jasque: A nation of Vistani, which is
Vistani tasques. made of several tribes, which are in
Dya-yahg The command to break camp, turn divided into caravans or families.
loosely meaning “leave the fire.” Tralaks: Written symbols conveying
Endart-uitir: A Vistani farewell, literally messages to fellow tribal caravans.
meaning “all paths converge.’’ Vardo: A round-topped, horse-drawn
Etherol: A common Vistani poison that
slowly traps the imbiber in an wagon used by the Vistani.
ethereal state. Vishnadd Justice. Literally meaning
Fulltide: The three days during which
the moon is full. “dark blade,” the uishnadd is an
Giogoto: A person who is not a member obsidian knife that is a central fixture
of a Vistani tribe, but who is consid- in the Vistani system of justice. The
ered a friend or ally of that tribe (in- word is sometimes uttered when
cluding other Vistani a s well as vengeance has been exacted.
Vistana: The singular form of Vistani.
giorgios). Zsaleu: A quasi-magical, intangible
Giorgio: A non-Vistani person. essence that hunts a victim, then
Karash A state of banishment from the hovers nearby, radiating a fear effect.

tribe. The karash is brought on Vistani
who have offended their caravan or
tribal laws, but are not cursed in the
process. It is not as dire as shalach-ti.
Kiigahg The command to set up
camp, literally meaning “make fire.”
Koorah An exclamation of agreement,
literally meaning “utterly true.”
Lunadi: A Vistani way of saying “it shall
be done,” literally meaning ”by the
moon.” The Vistani often say
“lunadl“‘instead of “okay.”
Lunaset: A ritual that begins at midnight
on the third and last night of the full
moon. All Vistani leave the circle of
their campfire and perform secret
rituals until dawn.

Mishamel: A dreadful Vistani curse that
causes the victim to slowly melt into
a pool of viscous liquid.

Many ADGD game players have full-blooded Vistana who has
expressed an interest in roleplaying abandoned the tribe and settled down
Vistani heroes. Responding to this long enough for static burn to have
proposition has been difficult for two come and gone. The choice is the
reasons. First, there has been, until the player's, although a Dungeon Master
release of this supplement, little or no rules whether either type can exist in
cultural information on which to base his individual campaign. Optionally,
the class. While the Gypsy stereotype
of the movies is easy enough to the hero might be a wayfarer from
imitate, most of the Vistani mystique
has been intentionally undefined to some other campaign setting who has
keep the race strange and frightening. been mysteriously endowed with some
Second, many existing Vistani powers Vistani traits. The Rhennee from the
(previous to the release of this GREYHAWcKampaign are similar in
supplement) must remain outside the some ways to the Vistani, and the
players' purview. To allow an Dungeon Master is free to rule that an
adventurer to read fortunes could only actual connection exists between these
cause headaches for the Dungeon peoples and possibly other Gypsylike
Master, and no player character should Folk in other AD&D campaigns.
ever use mist nauigation!
Whatever t h e Vistani kit, roleplaying
Nevertheless, the interest in Vistani is emphasized over game mechanics.
heroes is genuine, and it may be that A player who cannot or will not play
these people have been left in the the part detracts from the mystique of
shadows too long. Now the RAVENLOFT the Vistani, and should therefore
campaign's nomads can be as three- choose another character.
dimensional a s any of the good
doctor's past subjects of study. Based If a player wishes to generate a
on the information presented in the character who is related to a specific
orevious Daaes. it should be relativelv tribe, he should normally be allowed to
do so. However, the Dungeon Master
may choose to employ a percentile
roll to determine the tribal affiliation of

T Bwkgmnd if the giorgios have suffered any sort of
unexplained trouble recently, the
No hero can be a full-blooded Vistani, chance increases to 90%.Different
living in a caravan with a family. H e peoples have varying levels of
might either posse:3s mixed Vistani xenophobia that might lead them to

parentage, or he mtight be mortu, a

fear a Vistani hero, so a Dungeon Those who take the Fire-buildina
Master can adjust this number fc'r
individual circumstances. I.n. na.pn....iwall proficiency do not suffer penalties
all giorgios regard Vistani \.vith -f...or
suspicion, and many seek to make _in~ni_ti_nn_ "il_f..l_.a._.m..~.e...i.n. h i nh w....ind*9
soccacpuer,guonaltessos fitthisempewrfehcetnly1bcrlo,ebalremm. ,sat.
the Vistani were not involved. .Y..
Furthermore, a Vistani hero frequently
brings retribution on the entire party rainy conditions, or when using
(under the rubric that those who
associate with thieves are themselves damp fuel. N o proficiency check is
thieves), which can lead to more
trouble than the rest of the adventurers .,.rveiqst.uainrei.daat,voesntra.urrtearsfinrea.ve a rougn
are willing to risk.
grasp of the patterna. They still
Among other Vistani, the hero' has a
must make an Intelligence check to
- _chance to be treated as a aioaottb. The
translate the language, but they
likelihood is 80%if the hero is related
to the tribe he contacts, 60% if his suffer only a 5%chance of
blood is part of the tasque, and 25%
otherwise. Recall that the Manusa do misinterpreting the words.
not differentiate between giorgios and
giogotos, although they would Mortu Vistani can find and interpret
certainly rather deal with another paaterns on a roll of 1 4 on ld6.

V. iatnn..i...t h a n. R- ir...ri..inrrrin .i.f t..h..e," m i i d All Vistani heroes may take the
make contact at all.
Astrology proficiency, regardless of
Aligmd
class. Wizards expend onlv one
Mortu Vistani heroes must be at least
partially neutral in alignment (neutral proficiency slot in doing so
good, neutral evil, or true neutra'l).
Nonplayer character Vistani are ;almost V6ni Univml JhWlwb
always true neutral. Half-Vistani can
be of any alignment. Having Vistani blood also has its
downside. First, a side effect of static
ha
-_-._.................... - .......burn is that it reduces the Intelligence
All Vistani are human, so only human
heroes can take these kits. At the -,e r n i n~f nil mnrtii \listani hri 3 nnintr
Dungeon Master's option, half-elves
may also use Vistani kits (the human Half-Vistani are not affected by static
parent was a Vistana). Half-Vistaniof burn, and they gain a +1 bonus to
human descent are represented Iby the Intelligence and Wisdom scores, with a
race in Domains of Dread. penalty of -2 to Charisma from their
outcast status.
V6ni Univml Abilities
Second, these characters' relatively
All Vistani kits confer the following passive heritage precludes them from
abilities on the hero: weapon specialization and extraordinary
Strength, even if they are warriors.
Vistani characters have the ability to Third, wizards of all types are limited to
identify plants, animals, and pure the 10th level of experience, a s giorgio
water with perfect accuracy, a s do prejudice has prevented them from
druiids. receiving the highest quality training
over the years. In fact, if the optional
"pay-for-training"rules are used, Vistani
heroes pay double the normal amount
required to train a s characters of any
other class because they must, in effect,
bribe giorgio masters to teach them
their craft. Male Vistani specialist
wizards can only become conjurers,
enchanters, or illusionists; female Vistani
can also become diviners. Vistani
cannot be elementalists, and only half-
Vistani can become arcanists.

Perhaps the worst drawback faced
by adventurers with Vistani blood is
moon madness. Their link to that

:hey grow restless when it is full. The following text briefly describes the
most likely temperament of each kit
jleep eludes them, and they cannot type, based on the tribe from which the
hero draws his roots. However, the
.egain lost hit points through resting player is not constrained to conform to
the description: it is merely a general
2uring this time. All saving throws guideline, intended to enhance
roleplaying, which is the primary
3re at a -2 penalty until the Vistana attraction behind generating a Vistani
hero, after all. Each roleplaying
rests for eight undisturbed hours. introduction is followed by a short list of
There is a 1% chmnce (~ro.lled once~^ ,at abilities peculiar to the kit. Dungeon
the beginning of the period) they feel Masters always have the option to allow
players to mix and match the skills, as
compelled to !sneak off while their well a s the authority to tone down any
that unbalance the game.
comrades are not watching and run
under the stars. A simple word of Kwnii

restraint is sui'ficient to stop them, As a Kaldreshite, a Kamii hero is likelq
to be quiet and not confrontational. He
but they must make every effort to does not offer an opinion unless it is
asked for, and he would rather avoid
slip away. The! D~~~~~~ Master and combat if at all possible. Even so, he
is more likely to be a warrior than any
player should make this check other class. He's quick with his hands,
too, so he makes a good rogue as
privately, and the character never wofelslp. eKllacmaisitehre,roes cannot be any type
admits h e has been taken by the
A Kamii automatically possesses t h e
urge-no Vistim a would ever willingly Blacksmithing proficiency without
expending any proficiency slots. He car
consent to physical restraints, in identify metals and their origin within
the current campaign. Furthermore, he
spite of the demgers. can instantly identify any metalwork of
During the three days of the full Vistani make, and he has a 25%chance
to detect whether it is cursed.
moon, a Vista]ni adven,turer must

make a madness check each day

(officially at ITlidnight)' If he the

check, the chi3racter is subject to the

'effects of m a llness as detailed in

Chapter Six 01 Domai"7sOf Dread' The
effects last until the next madness

check, at whi(:h time successful roll
negates the C Imdition completely

(while a failur,e perpet.uates the

madness for eInother 24 hours)'
the third day <3f the full moon, all

madness passies.

Dungeon Y\asters can use the

normal calenclarto determine when
the moon is fiJII if they like, but the

best way to iricoroorate this mechanic Eguatlr
into the gameI is to keep track of

game time anId roll for madness every

30 days. If he desires, the Dungeon Equaarians are the druids of the

Master can ruile that each domain Vistani people, so heroes of this stock

"has its own Inoon." In this case, are quite comfortable around natural

whenever the party enters a new animals, especially horses. They are

domain, roll 1ld20+ld10 to determine also excellent trackers. Like all
how many days pass before this
Kaldresh, they are hard workers, but

moon next Wi3xes full. not overly aggressive. Equaar hemes

.Roleplayin:3 this condition is worthy can be any class (except paladm, of
,.n""PrC
of bonus expt8tLtLLy.vrLLILo. L.,^^..-C +ha.. tnnA +*l,,sr,4
C""L>L,, a\ ""L L"'J Lb.." l"".yL..

who act quirkily during the three days druids, and thie

of the moon should be rewarded for An Equaariai

their efforts. possesses the P

Land-based Riding proficiencies well, captivate the opposite sex, and
without expending any slots, and he
can take the Tracking proficiency by generally become the center of
expending only one slot
attention wherever they go. If they are

rnortu, chances are they left the tribe

because they wanted to pursue fame
and fortune in the giorgio world.

These people are efficient healers, but Hence, the gypsy (from Domains of

they are not known for their compas- Dread) and bard are natural classes

sion. Well-informed herbalists, they for this character. However, a Naiat

know much about curing illnesses and character may be of any class except

healing wounds, but they are not gov- paladin or druid.

erned by an overwhelming desire to Heroes of this tribal affiliation

help. F!ather, they act like cold profes- automatically enjoy the Singing and

sionals, often seeming condescending Dancing proficiencies, and thev are

toward those they assist. In spite of entitled to adopt the MiJsical

their healing powers, they are rarely Instrument proficiency regardless of

priests, and those who do subscribe to class. They also add a +1 bonus to

that cllissare us1ially druids. c--ncounter reactions due to their
A Vatraskan he:ro automatically has
0utgoing attitudes ( + 2...i,c.l+LI,.l*cI.y.",.,-l y l c v l ~ y
---the Herbalist profiiciency, regardless of tkie situation by doing the talking and
class, ;and priests LL-8a.n- e LL- tLtl-r-,a:.u.-r ~ y attempting to be friendly). Finally, a
LLK
Naiat character has a natural affinity
proficiency by expending only on,: slot.
for the violin, so he can influence the
A Vatraskan can identify poisons as
reactinns nf nonnlaver characters.~~r~.~ ~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ and,~ ~~ ~ ~
inspire allies with that instrument as a
well ais a druid can identify plants.

Furthermore, at the Dungeon Master's bard, regardless of (if the

optioi1:a Vatraskan hero can prepare character has taken the Musical

an antidote for any natural poison. Instrument proficiency).
(which he can identify if a sample is

avail2ihle). However, the recipient of the CCCJW3

antid(%emust make a successful saving Heroes of this trib
mercenary than other Vistani. They
throw ivs. poison or die. (In essence, the tend to wonder "what's in it for them"
whenever they approach a new
antid(%eprovides a reroll to heroes who situation. They are loyal allies, but
they do not forge alliances easily.
fail a saving throw vs. poison.) Normally, a Corvaran must gain a
experience level in the company of
At the Dungeon Master's option, a others before he fully becomes a part
of the group. Until then, he's along for
hero,of this tribe can gather, over the the profits and must frequently be
convinced to act a s a team player. A
cowse of ld6+1 days, the ingredients Corvaran is almost always a thief, but
he can be a fighter or wizard. N o other
for t a'0 doses of a sleeping-draug,ht classes are open to him.

poison. The preparation can be a Heroes of this bloodline
automatically possess the Set
powder or a liquid. It is tasteless and proficiency, regardless of class, a s
thev have been on the Daranoid side
odor]e, ss, but it might taint the color of al! their lives and wish to protect
themselves. In fact, they are likely to
water slightly. The recipient must make exasperate fellow party members with
a savirig throw vs. poison; if the roll

fails, he falls asleep for l d 4 rounds.

The s,Jeep is normal, and the victim

may be easily awakened. Due to the
natural ingredients in this concoction, it

rema ins usable for just one week.

w

Chariicters related to this tribe ale
bounm to be more flamboyant than the
next fellow They like to dress well, eat

DUNGEOMNASTEKA' rrEwIX

heir constant fears of (and possibly of loyalty, it is deliberately unspoken.
rhecks for) traps and ambushes. Thev remain silent unless the matter IS

Thief characters gain a +IO% bonus ~~I
o Open Locks rolls.
extremely urgent. Zarovan heroes are
Zharacters of this tribe are forever not team players, but neither do they
jtandoffish, no matter how long they betray their companions. Rather, they
issociate with a group of adventurers. do things for their own reasons, and
rhey are fascinated by magic, and are they stay with a group of heroes
:herefore always wizards. Canjar are because it fits some larger purpose,
quite selfish with their magic, refusing the nature of which they refuse to
:o trade spells with anybody, but they share. Like the Canjar, the Zarovan are
ike to be admired and appreciated for always wizards.
:heir powers, so they make every
sffortto appear useful and puissant Zarovan heroes have a unique
%nong their companions. condition: They are often unsure of
when they are. Time is out of focus,
A Canjar hero has a valuable and they are constantly slipping in and
ability: He can leave one 1st- and out of reality. This is reflected in
me 2nd-level spell each combat after initiative is rolled. The
"unmernorized" when h e finishes Zarovani character selects 2d10, rolls
resting (and studying). if he later them, and adc
wishes to cast a spell he has not result is matct
memorized, he can expend an open
slot and cast any spell of the same rnenHWTT
level a s if he'd memorized it, a s long
a s its text is among the spellbooks 2d10 Re:
h e has with him. However, it costs
one round to pull out his grimoire, 2 -8 L" v p y ' v L n c Lak LuLLuL.L.
look up the spell he wants, and read doubled actions (very fast)
it over, after which time it instantly 3 4 to opponent's attack roll
springs into his mind. In effect, the 4-5 -2 to opponent's attack roll
character is saying, "I had a feeling 6-8 -1 to opponent's attack roll
I'd need that spell." 9-13 No penalties or bonuses
(normal)
On the next round, the spell can be 14-16 +1 to opponent's attack roll
cast normally. Note that once a spell is 17-18 +2 to opponent's attack roll
read from a Canjar's grimoire, it +4 to opponent's attack roll
occupies the "blank spot in its level- 19 +8 on opponent's attack
a wizard cannot look up a spell, decide 20 roll; no actions at all (very
not to cast it, and look up another slow)
later. even if the first was not actuallv
A Zarovan hero who scores low on
Only one hero of Zarovan blood may the 2d10 roll is moving very fast in
travel with any single adventuring time because of the stress of combat.
party. These characters are the The hero has no control over this,
ultimate loners. They spend long
periods staring into empty space, ant Id no magical spell or device can
they never grow close to anyone. If fect this roll. If moving fast enough
they have a sense of humor, they do time, the hero can make two
not show it, and if they have a sense
implete rounds of actions in one
fund, including attacks, movement,
spellcasting, or psionics use. A hero
who scores high on the 2d10 roll,
however, is moving more slowly

through time because of the stress of
combat, and is thus easier to hit and
might possibly make no motion at all

during the round!

ancienblq laid it upon /hat houce were forciz it down on if wifh bofh hand>,ma55 uyon

~ -Lord Dunsay
“The Curse of the Witch“
4mas.$of it out of darh and dan prom air. .

wing my travels through While recovering at the hospice, I G\
became very good friends with Sister
the many domains of our Marena, a likable and intelligent woman

1. >I shadow-haunted world, I whose knowledge of the supernatural
,.. have encountered many evils that plague our lands surprised
’ .elpeople and cultures. i have me. We spent many evenings in
k i i - r r .:rc iers to gods in many different conversation, and she displayed a
languages, and I have learned that allies knowledge of liches and ancient dead
in the fight against darkness are found that equaled my own. Eventually, I
insisted that she reveal where she had
almost everywhere. come by such knowledge.
The origin of this text is twofold,
“My family is devoted to the battle
and I was provided much of the against evil, just as you are, Dr. Van
insights within its pages by two very Richten,” she said. “For generations, we
have been maintaining a record of that
different women-one whose entire struggle, a struggle that has mostly
existence is devoted to spreading hate been conducted in secret. I a m the
and chaos, and one whose life latest Keeper of the Archives, so I a m
revolves around helping others and most familiar with them.”

combating the first. Needless to say, I was intrigued. She
The process that led to the writing of received permission from the head of
the hospice to allow me to enter their
this text started five years ago. I had archives. Here, I found not only cures
been grievously wounded in battle for a great many maladies, but
against one of the ancient dead, and a
magical rotting disease was claiming chronicles of battles against liches and
what health I had left. More dead than
alive, Ireached the Hospice of Healing vampires that spanned generations.
Hands in southern Valachan. There, I Most of the battles, however, were
spent the next few months being nursed against creatures to which I had
back to health under the gentle devoted little thought: annis,
ministrations of the priestesses of Hala greenhags, and sea hags. I knew these
who operate it. evil, magical monsters were a menace,
but I was unaware of how great that
Unlike what some ranking members menace was until I read the annals.
of the Church of Ezra will have you They described the war that Sister
believe, there is nothing evil or Marena’s family had quietly waged
unwholesome about those who serve
the goddess Hala. They are pious folk against their foul breed for centuries,
who are devoted to easing pain and starting in lands far away from the
suffering in our land. We can use more
of their kind, I believe. However, I did domains that she calls home and
learn that at least one of the common continuing to this very day. This record
accusations that adherents of Ezra of bravery and scholarship was vast,
frequently level at those who serve for her forebears were meticulous in
Haia is true: The Church of Hala does
recording their observations and
have a secret face, although the experiences while battling hags. From
secrecv is forced on it bv the their notes, I realized that hags might
be a far greater problem than I had
0 zealousness of Ezra’s followers imagined. I had viewed them a s

I to my home in Mordentshire, content
in the fact that I had found another ally
a isolated oddities, not the kind of in my fight as well as another source of
pervasive, tenacious and organized evil academic information, when an elf
that they were now shown to be.
Aside from a clearer image of hags, I wizard named Fiori arrived at the
became aware of something else while hospice. She was engaged in a battle
reading Marena’s family history and against a greenhag, and I joined her
records. It became clear to me that endeavor.
while they all served the Church of
Hala, they also seemed to be part of From there, I resolved to do a more
another group, one that they assumed complete study of these evil creatures,
the reader knew and thus was referred with an eye toward publishing another
to only obliquely. It seemed to be a guide. I traveled to Tepest, a land
form of magical society, but one into reputed to be home to several hags and
which they were born or married, and hag coveys (unions of three hags that
one that was divided between the sexes,
with males and females practicing have bonded in order to wreck more
different kinds of magic. havoc than they can individually), but it
I asked Marena about this, because was in northern Nova Vaasa that I
I had certainly never observed such gained most of my insight. It was there
division in the Church of Hala. She that I was confronted with a greenhag,
then brought me into the presence of who lured me to her with her ability to
the hospice’s High Priest. In his study mask her true form in a more pleasing
were copies of all my books, and he
said that as a fellow champion of illusion. Semine, the greenhag’s name,
good, he permitted me to learn a said that through divinatory magic she
special secret shared by many at the had watched my battle against the
hospice. Sister Marena then revealed Valachan covey. “I was impressed with
that she and many other of the you, Van Richten,” she told me. “I
priestesses there were, in fact, suspected that your writings were little
“witches,” and the three priests more than a collection of tall tales, but I
present were “warlocks.” underestimated you. Now that you have
I put quotes around the terms, for seen firsthand the evil that my kind
they are how they themselves refer to represents, you will undoubtedly want to
each other, even though they have
little in common with the typical take up arms against u s a n d write one
malign visions that such terms conjure of your books, yes?”
up. No, the witches and warlocks that
Marena is part of are actually a rare I have not lately been one to shy
group of humans. Where wizards gain away from the face of evil. I boldly told
their power through hard study, and her that she had described exactly what
priests gain their magic through I intended. Her response surprised me.
devotion to their gods, witches and
warlocks like Marena are born to
harness their unique brand of magic.
They must be taught how to wield their
power, but they are truly a breed apart
from most other magic-users in our
domains.
I continued my study of hags and
other creatures in the hospice’s
archives while I recuperated. Marena
and her fellow witches also honored
m e by granting m e insight into their

/3 culture and ways. I was about to return

“Good,” she said. “I will tell you all I AbOatthis Book
know about my kind. You can verify
the truth of what I tell you with your Loyal readers will notice that this book
little friends of the Healing Hands is somewhat differentfrom my other
coven.’’ works, a s all of its pages are not
devoted to hags. In fact, only half of this
Thus, I spent a very educational volume deals with those creatures. The
week in the company of Semine. By other half describes the witches and
the time we parted company, Semine warlocks who dwell at the Hospice of
had filled in several blanks that the Healing Hands, a s well a s other “hedge
archives at the Healing Hands had left magicians” who reside in remote
in my knowledge, and she had given corners of our domains. I felt it
me great insight into the psychology important to provide you, my readers,
of hagkind. I made it clear to her that with the ability to distinguish these
if we met again, w e should consider obscure and secretive spellcasters-
each other enemies. Despite her most of whom are harmless and may
helpfulness, she was still evil. In fact, even share your goals and desires to rid
she admitted that the very act of her our land of evil-from hags. It is all too
helping me proved she was evil. “I a m easy for an overzealous hunter to make
helping you destroy my own kind, Van just such a mistake. going from hunter
Richten,” she said with a cackle. “I to murderer. I do not want to be
consider the time we’ve spent together responsible for such mistakes.
and the acts you are going to perform
As mentioned above, the witches
my crowning achievements. You see, I
have a s much contempt for my kind and warlocks who follow the teachings
as I do for you and yours. I take of Hala and who serve in her Church
delight in helping you kill us, and 1’11 are a secretive lot. They are also
take delight if my miserable sisters or I
manage to kill you instead.” staunch allies in the fight against the
supernatural menaces that plague our
Semine’s attitude is not untypical of land, even if some covens have
hagkind in general, except for her certain philosophical outlooks with
hatred for her own kind. (From where which I disagree. Therefore, I have
that odd attitude stems, I cannot say.) taken care not to reveal any
This destructive bent is why hags must information that would intrude too
be stopped. If we do not, they may heavily on their privacy. What you will
eventually kill us all. find within these pages is aimed
toward helping you tell a hag covey
from a witches’ coven, and giving you
enough information to understand that
witches and warlocks can be
important allies in our fight.

Compilers’ Note: At the time of Dr. Van
Richten’s disappearance, this text h a d
not been submitted to his publisher.
He was honoring a n arrangement h e
h a d with one of his sources. In fact, I

believe the book was still very much a
work in progress at the time of his
retirement in 742. Laurie a n d I decided
to present the material as we found it,

with only the occasional comment on
our part.

-GFw

i

9 “$he youffiand h-ady fhaf she retaint are iihiont. c7f you couid we Gephora a.5 Jhe

realiy i3, you wouid recoii in redion.cured of your yeriiou3 /ow~ O woUuid tee

herlaunihinhabiyoid,and hideout wifh infamia."

-Clark Ashton Smith
“The Enchantress of Sylaire”

nyone who has survived an stages, with an event that they refer to
a haa
,: ~ .~;;~~ pe4nroc,~ boaubnltyerawskitehd I m e as the Change separating the stages. In
the sa almost every way, hags who are early in
3 auestions as Brother Seth their lives, before the Change, are
indistinguishable from human females.
Y -.I,o’f the Order of Healing They are a type of humanoid
l k : : ~. I~’ ~in a personal letter to me: impersonator who for the first part of
“W~herecid these foul mockeries of their lives live among humans, nearly
always completely unaware themselves
women who term themselves hags first of their true nature. As they enter what
come from? Can anyone but the gods for human beings is the latter half of

truly say? And why did not the gods their lives, they shed their human
slay their Evil breed as it lay in the appearance during the Change and then
stand revealed as annis, greenhags, or
cradle of Creation? By Hala the sea hags.
Caregiver, I cannot fathom which god
would be so vengeful or mad so as to As will become clear, a woman who

visit this plague upon us!” is strong-minded and independent, who
This first chapter serves as a primer has chosen to pursue what many might
to the three most common types of view as a masculine career, or who is a
tragic victim of circumstance and
hags-the annis, greenhag, and sea
hag, as well as touching briefly on the unable to bear children, may be
legendary night hag and undead mistaken as an “immature” hag by
overzealous adventurers who fail to
spectral hags. back up their conclusions with careful
Even those of us who have spent research and intelligent deductions.

much of our lives destroying villainous In my lifetime, I have met many a
creatures such as vampires find woman who was barren or who was
ourselves revolted by the carnage a hag more comfortable wielding a sword than
may leave in her wake, or stunned into a knitting needle. The majority of them
silence when we begin to realize just have been brave and completely mortal
souls, even the ones who would oppose
how unnatural these monstrous crones me in my tasks and research. I do not
want my words to be used by foolish
are. people who fault young women for
Hags pose a danger as great as leading a more independent lifestyle
vampires and werebeasts. However, than many consider socially
they are far more difficult to hunt, and appropriate. The evil of hags is difficult

the would-be hunter must be twice as enough to contain and recognize
diligent in researching the foe before without those who would battle it being
striking. Why? Hags are insidious
creatures who can hide among blinded by cultural prejudice.
humanity so effectively that in many So, as in my other books, I once

cases it is easy to assume that a again urge those readers who feel

woman who may just be an innocent inclined to take up arms against the
creatures of darkness to do so with
eccentric is actually a hag. great care. In the case of hags, I offer
As you will find in this chapter, hags this admonition not only for the safety

’3 g o through at least two distinct life

bEC.TIO’N, 1115 T1im.R: many hags themselves believe. She (?

‘ ’aof adventurers but in order to protect said she first heard it from the hag who
innocents from harm. helped her understand her nature
following the Change, and she has
A Question of Origin heard it from other hags since. Semine
also claimed to be familiar with at least
More so than for any other creature I one hag covey that retells the tale to
have thus far attempted to study, the one another every full moon.
origin of the hag is a perplexing question.
With vampires, the answer seems to be Long ago, there liued a woman whose
that the roots lie in a parasitic infection
transferred by their bite, or a divine curse. name was Lurren. Her entire life was
Ghosts arise through an unusual strength
of will on the part of dying beings. deuoted to her husband and her
Typical werebeasts are either the result of children. She raised her three sons and
what some of my colleagues refer to as worked the family farm, euen as her
“evolution”+ natural trait that develops husband spent his days at the local
in a species so that it can survive and tauern, getting intoxicated uith his
flourish-r through a magical parasitic crude friends.
infection that has become so prevalent in
the population that it is considered One day, her husband returned from
natural. Mummies and other ancient dead
grow most often from fervent religious town with a young woman ofbeauty so
beliefs and the blessing (or curse) ofone radiant it made Lurren ’s heart ache to
of more gods. Liches and the creations
commonly (and somewhat inaccurately) look on her. Lurren had been beautiful
referred to as “golems” are the product of once, but the hard life she had led for
deep and unhealthy obsessions with her husband robbed her of that beauty.
power or objects of desire.
She was all too aware of this, as was
With hags, it is far more difficult to
form a theory of origin that has any her husband.
validity. Unlike vampires, liches, “Begone, you hideous crone,” he told
mummies, and golems, hags are living
beings. Unlike werebeasts, hags do not her. “I haue a new wife, a young wife.
represent a species, but instead
propagate themselves by mating with You I cast out, for you haue become too
human males. (There are also magical
means through which hags can breed, old and too ugly.”
but those are rare.) How can a species Lurren begged her husband to
with exclusively female characteristics
exist for long with no male counterpart? reconsider. When he would not, she
turned to her three sons and begged
Through my research, I have settled them to help her. They refused.
on two theories, either of which seems
equally likely to me. One is favored by “You haue grown old and ugly,
the hags themselves and may be more Mother; ” they said. “Father’s new wife
myth than truth, while the other is will serve us as well as you h a u e u e n
based on the known existence of other better; in fact, because she is pleasing to
rare species that do not seem to have the eye while you are not.”
two sexes.
And so Lurren was driuen from her
Pmillei m w m home. She wandered through the dark
and wild forests until her strength gaue
Semine, the greenhag who assisted out. As she lay in a forest groue, she cried
areatlv in the creation of this book. told
out to the heauens for the power to
L auenge herselfagainst those who had
used her and thrown her away for
me the “creation story” that she claims
something as superficial as physical

appearance. She prayed for the strength
to auenge not on@ herself but euery other
woman who had euer been so slighted.

Lurren’s cries were heard, and the

goddess Hala responded to her pain. As
Hala is wont to do, she eased Lurren’s

0pain and gaue her the means to auenge

3 herself,blessing her with all the abilities enslaved in the forest,she shared his
that hags display today.
bed, revealed her true form, and
With her newfound power, Lurren devoured him. She had become
enslaved the evil creatures of the forest,
forcing them to serve her as she had pregnant with herson’s child, but used
served her ungratefui family. Then she magical powers granted to her b y Hala
set about exacting her reuenge. to transferthe child to the girl she held
prisoner in the woods. That girl then
Lurren returned to her home and gaue birth to the firstsea hag, the
masked her withered visage in an offspring of Lurren and her third son.
illusionso beautiful that she caused her
With her reuenge complete, Lurren
husband and sons to driue out the girl left the forest in the company of her

who had become his new wife. Lurren three daughters, intending to bring
doom to all men who let greed and lust
secretly captured the girl and held her
guide their lives, and all who could be
captive in the nearby forest. She then deceived by beauty that is only skin
slew her husband and devoured him. deep. Lurren left the young woman
who had first stolen her husband with
Lurren’s oldest son, a mighty warrioc the evil forest creatures, letting them do
thought that his father had abandoned with her as they wished.
them, and so he took Lurren to be his
wife, seduced by her great beauty. A s Semine added that there is a further
legend among hags that Lurren still
they shared their bed on their wedding walks the mist-swathed hills of our
night, she reuealed her true form and world, and if a hag successfully
recognizes her as the first of their kind,
slew and deuoured him. She had Lurren will grant the hag powers almost
become pregnant with her son’s child, as great as her own.

but used magical powers granted to her I am sure this tale is appealing to
hags, as it casts them in the role of
by Hala to transfer the child to the girl avengers carrying on the just revenge of
she held prisoner in the woods. That girl a woman scorned. My belief, however,
then gaue birth to the first annis, the is that this is nothing but a fanciful
offspringof Lurren and her firstson. myth. It has no basis in fact, but instead
seems more like the creation tales that
The second son, a skilled farmer and so many races tell about themselves.
woodsman, believed that his older Further, the prominent role the tale
assigns to the goddess Hala in the
brother had likewise run oft After creation of hags is an element that the
waiting a year-supposedly to let adherents of Hala (who became my
Lurren mourn-he wed her, seduced b y friends while I worked on this book) find
hergreat beauty. As they shared their deeply offensive. This tale is not the
bed on their wedding night, she primary source of hatred between
witches and hags, but it is still a factor.
revealed her true form and slew and
When pressed, Semine admitted that
devoured him. She had become she does not believe the tale is literal
pregnant with herson’s child, but used truth. Yet she nonetheless feels there is
magical powers granted to her by Hala some truth to it, as elements of the
to transfer the child to the girl she held story are echoed in a tale that is told
prisoner in the woods. That girl then both by the elves and the ogres of
gaue birth to the first greenhag, the Sithicus, a land south of Valachan and
offspringofLurren and her second son. Invidia. She was the first to tell me the
tale called “The Ogress Lurrhein,”
The third son, a consummate although I have since also had it related
fisherman, would have grown
suspicious, but Lurren was smarter
than he. She cloaked herself in yet

another alluring female form and tricked
her youngest son into believing his

brother and his wife had both run off.
She spent a year using her illusionary

beauty to seduce him into performing
acts of unspeakable evil, and when he

3 was no better than the beasts she had

to me by Mason of Har-Thelen, a came upon. However, her loneliness 0

Sithican elf. There are several wore on her, and she took to keeping
similarities between the Sithican mvth
and Semine's tale, most prominently one or two of her victims alive. Soon
between Lurren and Lurrhein, and the
fact that the gods in both are blamed for these beings, humanoids most foul,
the origin of hags.
joined in her madness. The children of

the unions between Lurrhein and her

"companions"were always other hags;

she never bore any sons, and none of

her descendants have, either. The annis

A long time ago, during a time elves arose from unions with ogres, the

know as the Age of Dreams, ogres ruled greenhags from hobgoblins, and the sea

the world. They built a civilization that hags born koalinths.

only the elves have been able to equal

in its glory, but, as all evil beings will,

they became lazy and complacent. Their The similarities between the two tales
should be apparent to all readers: A
great civilization began to crumble, and female of some humanoid species was
turned into the first hag by a powerful
the other beings-the elves, the gnomes, entity. Other hags sprang from her
unions with unfortunate souls, in a
the humans-that they had oppressed fashion similar to the way hags
procreate to this very day. Are these
for so long were starting to rise up in similarities mere coincidences?

struggles for freedom. There is the possibility that an actual
historical event formed the basis for
Many ogres saw their civilization was both tales. The elves of Sithicus are an
insular people, with a culture and
starting to fail,but few were willing to language that resembles no others in
the world that I am familiar with. It is
do anything about it. In this environ- unlikely that hags (despite the elven
legend) seem to spring exclusively from
ment of sloth, a powerful ogre sorceress unions between hags, and that humans
could have ancient ties to Sithicus,
named Lurrhein began to spread her
unless the characters from Semine's
belief that the ogres had accomplished tale were the civilized ogres from the
elven tale, rather than being the
too much. It was the will of the gods, humans that we assume them to be.
Alas, the evershifting mists of time have
Lurrhein believed, that the ogres should long since hidden any event that may
have been the source for these two
abandon any effortto improue their lot similar tales.

in life.Many ogres started to follow

Lurrhein's doctrine, and soon no ogres

were willing to attempt to work for a

future for their kind.

This angered the gods of evil. Even

ogres who had been working on plans

that would have brought the race

c another thousand years ofprosperity fell
sway to her. In the end, Lurrhein

hastened the fall of the ogres. To punish

her, the gods scarred her face and

twisted her body, turning her into the

first annis. TheF.4~Ps-

Lurrhein was horrified. She was cast A type of being many consider to be
legend, yet which is surprisingly
out of the fairest of ogre cities, Kernen, common in the forests and waterways
of Tepest and Darkon, is the one some
because of her ugliness. She wandered call "the Fay," also known a s fairies. Is
it possible that hags are actually a
from ogre city to ogre city, hoping to form of fairy?

find an ogre mage powerful enough to There is much we do not know
about these rare and reclusive beings,
lift the curse from her body. No such but there are two important traits that

mage existed, and soon she was

banished from every ogre city town and

village on the continent.

Lurrhein gradually lost her mind.

mInitiailu. her madness was such that she G
attackzd and killed every creature she

..... .. . . ... ... .

3 -haa raises her own child. Instead. she

Van Richten may not be entirely switches her child for a newborn
accurate in his assumption here Hags human baby immediately after birth.
are usually considered to be an ogre There are also reports of a foul ritual
subspecies in the ADGD rules. Their that some hags can perform that
exact nature ISclouded in mystery, transfers an unborn baby from a hag’s
and they possess powers that outstrip womb to the womb of a human woman
even oqre mages. who is roughly as far along in her
pregnancy as the hag is in hers. The
scholars use to place beings in the woman’s actual child is destroyed in
fairy category. the process: the infant hag takes its
place. In both instances, the hags are
First, many fairy species exist only like cuckoos, leaving their children to
as males or females, reproducing be raised by, and eventually destroy,
either through magical rites or by others. (I will revisit the topic of infant
mating with elves, humans, or hags later, as procreation is a very
goblinoids. The resulting child is important part of the hag life cycle.)
always a fairy and is always of the
same sex of the fairy parent. Hags No matter how the infant hag comes
always produce female offspring. to be raised by its surrogate parents,
she is always a beautiful, healthy, and
Second, virtually all fairy species strong baby. She appears to be the kind
have the ability to either alter their true of baby parents pray to the gods for, but
shape or to render themselves invisible. her fair aoDearance hides a soul that is
Are these abilities really so different twisted and evil from the moment of
from the hags’ ability to cloak birth.
themselves in illusion and hide their
hideous forms from the unwary? the vast majority of the population is
human, and in his world, hags place
It seems far more reasonable a their babies with human mothers
theory that hags are one of the little- exclusively. In most ADGD settings,
researched species of fairies. This however, a hag can leave her infant
would place them in a category shared with any humanoid creature from
by dryads, sirines, and nymphs, halfling to ogre, as per the child’s
making them a species of female biological father. The baby is always
beings who propagate themselves by female and always appears to be of
mating with males belonging to other the same species as her father.
species. I recognize that the limited Although the following text treats
amount of research that has been immature hags as being human in
done into the nature of the fay makes appearance, they can, in theory, be
it exceedingly difficult to add or from any humanoid stock.
eliminate specific beings from this
genus. Still, my examination of the ADGD game hags were inspired by
hags has brought me to the conclusion a combination of wicked witches from
that hags are, indeed, one of the many eastern European and German fairy
different fairy species. My guess is tales, and Irish fairy lore. If you like
that they hate the vast majority of the idea of hags as fairy creatures,
other fairy creatures, most of whom then acquire copies of the adventure
possess unnatural beauty.
Seruanfs ofDarkness (TSR # 9541)
Bitth E\ndm n q and the adventurelaccessory The
Shadow Rift (TSR #1163), as they
Hags are born from living females-
one of the few natural things can be involve a hag covey and provide a
said about them. According both to fresh look at fairy creatures and their
Semine and the scholars of the
use in game campaigns.
73 Hospice of Healing Hands, virtually no

~EC;IO?.I,TIE THIIID:

1 Any person readinq this who hopes activities are frowned on will often leave

to ha;e’a family is probably asking the their homes at a young age, or become

question, How can we prevent hags murderers or rogues, living at the edge

from committing this evil deed? This is of society. (Of course, there are many

a very important question to ask, and who would always characterize

one that may well be part of the adventurers as murderers and rogues,

foundation for defeating hags. It will be regardless of their disposition or nature.)

addressed in Chapters Four and Five. Young annis rarely remain part of a

single adventuring band for more than a

year or two, but instead stay constantly

on the move. Unlike many warriors or

For roughly the first four decades of adventurers, the immature annis does
their lives, hags appear like normal girls
and young women. Though marvelous not quest for justice, right wrongs, or
at birth, they tend to become even accumulate treasure; all she is
unpleasant children as they age. Those motivated by is the promise of conflict.
of low intelligence are bullies and overly
violent, while those who are smarter She will accept her fair share of any
tend to terrorize other children when no treasure gained in raids, but she will
adults are around, and vent their never remain to reap the benefits of the
aggression by torturing small animals in peace she has brought to a region.
secret. As they grow into womanhood, Instead, she moves on, in search of an
they develop what some would consider even deadlier, bloodier conflict in which
personalities defined by low moral to take part. Particularly cunning
character, although many of them
manage to lead normal lives. Some immature annis may even orchestrate
even take husbands. events to bring two domains to war so
that they can sate a lust for blood and
Young hags, regardless of violence. As annis grow older, this lust
subspecies, appear to be barren; only grows stronger, and only more
without fail, they do not seem capable violent atrocities will satisfy it.

Greenhags: Physically, young
greenhags appear to be the ideals of

of bearing young until after the Change. feminine beauty given flesh and form.

For hags who are made aware of their They are slender, delicately built

true nature early in life, this is no creatures with fine singing voices. They

problem, although they might use their are beauties about which poetry is

barrenness as a way to evoke sympathy written and paintings are made. Without

from those around them. Further fail, young greenhags are desired by

information is now presented on each of men and envied by women: their dark

the three hag types. hearts, however, cause them to use

Annis: Physically, annis (the same their beauty to break hearts and ruin
word is used in singular and plural lives, Unlike annis, there is no general
form) are powerfully muscled, almost skin or hair coloration that can be noted

appearing masculine in that respect, but before the Change. They do tend to

their feminine nature is nonetheless have pale green eyes.
evident. Should they be born of normal Young greenhags often gravitate to

human mothers, their hair and the theatre where they earn well-
complexion tend to be slightly darker deserved reputations as great singers,

than that of their supposed parents. dancers, or actresses-sometimes
The young annis gravitates toward excelling in all three areas1 They are

the life of an adventurer, warrior, exceedingly vain and self-absorbed
mercenary, or other occupation that creatures who live equally for the joy

permits her to travel extensively and that performing brings them and for the

engage in violent pursuits. Above all, adoration of the crowds. They are also

annis en.io.y .phy.sical confrontations. renowned for having many lovers at one
Annis born into cultures where such
G*time and for tiring of them rapidly. The

! a\-

richer the lovers, or the more passionate All hags are born with the alignments
and physical the relationships, the attributed to them in the MONSTROUS
longer their interest holds. However, MANUAtLome. For annis, their
greenhags are also intensely jealous, alignment manifests itself in their lust
and they are willing to go to great for violence: for greenhags, in their
lengths to ruin someone they fear might hedonistic tendencies and desire for
present a competition for the limelight. attention and adoration; for sea hags,
This extends to paramours more flighty in their petty nature and vicious,
than they are. slanderous ways.

However, as any artist or performer The majority of hags spend their
will tell you, success in a creative field lives a s zero-level beings, conforming
is just a s much about dedication and to the description provided in the
drive a s it is about talent. While all DUNGEOMNASTERGuide. However, the
young greenhags have beauty and following guidelines can be used by
talent for the performing arts, not all Dungeon Masters who wish to use
have the drive: such greenhags either
end up working in brothels or The percentages represent the portion
retreating from civilization, almost as of all classed hags of that type whose
if they feel the call of the wilderness classes are from the particular group,
even before the Change is upon them. and the numbers in parentheses are
These greenhags feel a s though the the highest level the hags can achieve
world a t large has denied them their in those classes. (The level limits are
rightful place in it, and their black imposed both for game balance
hearts fill with a desire to make the purposes and to keep classed hags in
world pay. Those who are prostitutes line with the Hit Dice possessed by
invariably kill their customers or fellow the weakest of their kind once they
harlots. Young greenhags in the have passed through the Change.)
wilderness will start their murderous
habits early, often waylaying travelers Annis Greenhag Sea Hag
who are drawn to them, often through
wild tales that locals tell about them, Warrior 85%(5) 6% ( 2 ) 30% (1)
casting them as reclusive wise women
or witches. (In some rare cases, Wizard 2% ( 3 ) 10%(6) 30% (2)
immature hags will indeed be skilled
herbalists or hedge magicians, but Priest 3% (5) 5%( 2 ) 20% (1)
more often they are simply cutthroats
who will use their wiles to put victims Rogue 10%(5) 79%(4) 12%(2)
off guard, then slit their throats.) In Psionicist -
some extreme cases, the beauty and - 8%( 2 )
grace of these flawless female
specimens causes them to be Classed hags are more formidable
mistaken for dryads or nymphs.
than those who were zero level, a s
Sea hags: Immature sea hags are
somewhat plain in physical appearance, they retain their class abilities even
not homely but not a s stunning in
appearance as are annis or greenhags. after the Change. Some things even
They are strong, healthy women of the
type a matchmaker would describe a s improve, such a s attacks and savin-g
"ideal for childbearing." This often
makes the years of a young sea hag's throws. Imrnature hags cannot be
life a time of frustration and heartbreak, dual-classec&a limit imposed to
because they are never able to provide preserve game balance and avoid
complications in play.
/3 the children that they and their
husbands want. -.Annis warnors are invariably

_.._ _.specialized i,n. Flt I.CP2lCl.t 0"- m..lP-I.P--e nr

missile weapon. Greenhag wizards are

usually enchanters or arcanists (the

latter a specialist wizard described in
Domains ofDread),while sea hags are
usually diviners or elementalists

Ispecializinq either in earth or water The Change turns all types of hags from
magic (thelatter a specialist wizard attractive female specimens into
found either in Domains ofDread or hideous, monstrous mockeries of the
Tome ofMagic). fair sex. Each type of immature hag
Dungeon Masters may choose to displays traits that show what kind of
lift these level limits if they have an hag she will become.
idea for a nonplayer character who is
actually an immature hag. Such a If a hag is encountered during her
character might be a unique annis Change, she may prove fairly easy to
who was a 12th-level warrior before defeat; this is particularly true of
the Change. When the Change comes greenhags and sea hags, few of whom
will have mastered any of the martial
upon her, she would then be a far arts during their lives up to that point. In
tougher hag than even the mightiest all likelihood, she will have discovered
o,ff her sisters. In general, however, it iis! few (if any) of her abilities before
aidvised that the Dungeon Master another hag appears to instruct her.
kceeep these level limits in mind.
Again, I must stress the need for
those who find themselves in a mind

Sea hags are the most domestically to hunt hags that they must be

oriented of all hags before the Change, absolutely sure that they are indeed

facing such a creature and not just a
I tending to live and work in small villages. poor woman who has chosen to live
They are often married and appear for
alone in the wilderness for whatever
the most part to be happy in domestic
reason. Careful, covert observation
life,with the exception of their apparent
over an extended period of time is
infertility. Still, their evil nature is often
imperative if one is to avoid turning
evident early on, as they are frequently
from monster slayer into base
numbered among the most vicious of
murderer. I will explain the proper
gossips in the community. They take the ways to identify and hunt a hag later
slightest hint of impropriety or sloth in
in this volume. At this point, I am
neighbors and acquaintances as fuel for continuing to explain the life stages of
their poison tongues, railing about these hags so that you can more fully
often nonexistent failingswith an innate
understand them and their viewpoints,
skill that can ruin reputations beyond
for the warrior who knows his enemy
repair. Further, if the developing sea hag is more likely to be victorious than the
is married to a kindhearted husband who one to whom they are strangers.
steps in and attempts to curb her vicious
In the early stages of the Change, the
ways, he may find his own reputation in
process affects all three types of hags in
peril, as she may well start rumors about a similar fashion. Later, however, their
him, too.
individual racial characteristics assert
As the years wear on, the less
themselves in far stronger ways than
intelligent sea hags may find themselves they did during their earlier lives.
outcasts from their communities even
First, each hag grows physically
before the Change approaches. Others,
more powerful, Even before any other
however, successfully cause themselves
signs of the Change manifest
to be viewed as moral paragons, despite themselves, the hag's muscles grow
the fact that their vicious tongues destroy stronger, giving her a strength that one
more reputations of righteous folk than
would think impossible for her frame.
they expose incidents of true corruption. This is particularly true of the greenhag,
who is, almost without fail, delicate and

frail in appearance. I am sure that more

As hags enter their fourth decade of life, than one man has found himself torn @
their true nature starts to exert itself. limb from limb by an enraged hag in
Hags refer to this period as the Change. the early stages of the Change, perhaps
to her surprise as much as his.

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