Who: Burgomaster of the Village of Barovia — took the title the day his father died, a day before we arrived.
Where: The Village of Barovia. He stayed behind; with no heir, he cannot risk himself.
Status: Alive, governing a frightened village.
First met: Session 4, at the Blood on the Vine tavern.
What we know
- The first Barovian to treat us as people: waved us over in a silent tavern, told us the truth about Strahd, the mists, and the land — and asked for our help.
- His two requests: bury his father (done, with honours) and escort his sister Ireena Kolyana to Vallaki (underway).
- He tested us. He knew exactly what waited in the crypt beneath the church, knew it would likely attack, and sent us down anyway — because he would not trust Ireena to anyone who couldn’t survive it. Ireena dragged the confession out of him. His defence: “I needed to know that you were strong enough. And now I am assured.” And then, words to remember this land by: “You will learn not to trust people in Barovia.”
- He drew us the map we now navigate by — Vallaki, the winery, Tser Pool, and the castle marked so we know where never to go. See Handouts.
- What he knows of Strahd’s turned: made only occasionally, mostly from people who are loved — “just to torment us.” They come back stronger and faster, and they obey Strahd’s every word, without fail.
- On the Vistani: they can walk the mists (though they can take no one with them) — hence the rumour they serve Strahd. He says they’ve never done him wrong, and their camp is safer than a night in the open. So far, he’s right.
- He knew Lancelot on sight as Mary’s dog, called Sirius’s raven feather a good omen, and recognised the sigil on Osric’s banner — see the heirloom thread.
Open questions
- What else does the burgomaster of a dying village choose not to say until someone drags it out of him?