Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft

TRAVELERS I N THE MISTS K EEP ERS OF THE FEAT H E R

Adventures i n the Domains o f Dread often indulge When asked about the origins of their society, the
in a single domain's distinctly frightful themes. But members of the Keepers of the Feather speak of
if you plan to run whole campaigns set in the Land their traditions originating long ago and beyond the
of the Mists, creating narratives that span domains Mists. This is true, but most who repeat that story
can prove challenging if every realm is a world unto are only trying to layer a mystical facade over their
itself. Individuals who willfully brave the Mists to dilettante spiritualism.
travel between domains are especially useful in
your broader horror stories. Only the group's highest-ranking members know
that the Keepers of the Feather began in Barovia
While it's true that most residents of the Domains as a small sect of wereravens (see chapter 5) dedi­
of Dread never leave their home domains and wisely cated to opposing the evils of Strahd von Zarovich.
don't fixate on what lies beyond the Mists, some Though their numbers were not enough to oppose
daring souls do. Many such inquisitive individuals the Darklord directly, they sought useful lore and
simply vanish, the Mists delivering them to deadly aided brave souls from the shadows, manipulating
domains from which they never return. But others fortune to confound some of Strahd's more diaboli­
manage to band together, learning the ways of cal plots. Over generations, the wereravens' hidden
the Mists, how to travel through them, and how to resistance to Strahd continued in Barovia, but some
survive their dangers. Those who travel between among them learned of other lands suffering beyond
domains might have the Mist Walker Dark Gift (see the Mists. Unwilling to let the innocents of those
chapter 1) or know how to employ Mist talismans lands fend for themselves, some of the Keepers of
(detailed at the start of this chapter). Such travel- the Feather ventured forth, hoping to share their
ers can provide the following services adventurers wisdom and their subtle resistance to evil with
might find useful: those who needed it most.

• Evidence of other domains However, the Mists find a way to twist even the
• News, rumors, and requests for help best of intentions. In the cities of urbane domains
• Information on Mist talismans like Borca, Darkon, and Dementlieu, the mystical
• Guidance or traveling companions writings and talismans the wereravens carried from
Barovia came to the attention of the bored elite. Fas­
The characters in your adventures should feel spe­ cinated, these socialites became obsessed with the
cial if they travel the Mists, as few have the courage occult, seeking out esoteric works, hiring doubtful
to do so. When characters encounter travelers from fortune-tellers, and hosting parlor seances. In most
other domains, those individuals should likewise cases, the results were passing fads. In some, they
be remarkable or have a desperate reason to have were catastrophic-the unprepared successfully
braved the Mists. Learning about such wanderers
can drive the characters from a single adventure KEEPER CHARACTERS
into a larger campaign that explores other domains.
Characters playing mem bers of the Keepers ofthe
The following sections present groups and individ­ Feather have access to contacts with interest in spiritu­
uals who routinely travel the Mists. The Strangers alism and the occult, including hapless dilettantes, re­
in the Mists table also suggests the kinds of people clusive scholars, correspondents from other domains,
characters might encounter amid the Mists. and hucksters. At a ny time, members ofthe o rganiza­
tion might call upon their contacts to uncover some
STR A N G E R S I N T H E M I STS esoteric secret, engage i n a su pernatural investigation,
or even explore a nother domain.
d6 Encounter
When players create Keeper ofthe Feather charac­
Someone from another world who's just been ters, ask them the fol lowi n g q uestions.

d rawn i nto a domain by the M ists What sparked your interest in the occult? Did you
encounter a mysterious being that you want to u n ­
2 Someone fleeing the Darklord of a nother domain dersta nd? Is membership a family tradition? Are you
trying to contact someone beyond the grave? Do you
3 A raven carrying a message from the Keepers of seek some other knowledge?

the Feather What esoteric knowledge most interests you? Are
you curious a bout a rcheology, astrology, d ivination,
4 Curious members ofthe Keepers ofthe Feather led cryptozoology, electricity, or spiritualism? How has
by a wereraven (see chapter 5) i n d isguise this gotten you into trouble?

5 A band ofVistani Who aids your investigations? I s a nother Keeper you r
mentor? Do you and other Keepers meet regularly? Do
6 A spirit that cries out before bei n g yan ked back you correspond with a Keeper in a nother domain? Did
this person give you your Mark ofthe Raven talisman?
into the M ists, leaving behind a M ist talisman

1 74 C H A PT E R 3 I D O M A I N S OF RAVEN LOFT