Ah, here you are at last. I have an important task for you, NAME. A wealthy patron of the city is experiencing some difficulty on her lands. She has requested my assistance and it is in the city's best interests to help her.
The lady in question is the Duchess of Wyndrake, and I would deem it a personal favor if you would make haste to her manor and render your assistance. Unfortunately, I can't spare any guards, and the situation is quite urgent, apparently.
Wyndrake Manor is an impressive stronghold to the east of Neverwinter. Please hurry. She is, as I mentioned, a wealthy patron.
Steps[ | ]
Present Papers
Speak to the Duchess
Go to Wyndrake Manor
Go to the Vistani Camp
Assist Duchess Wyndrake
Aid the Vistani
Speak to Madam Eva
Speak to Stanimir
Defeat the Werewolves
Journey to the Gates of Barovia
Enter the Gates of Barovia
And happily even after the intruders can linger and take but in the end they are not welcomed. So hope they enjoyed it while it lasted. I am sure to enjoy my life without there presence. Or at least till the next breed is produced.
Dialogue[ | ]
Gate Guard
Who goes there?
Adventurer
I have an invitation to see the duchess.
Gate Guard
Let me see that.
I see. Well, can't be too careful with those strange travelers about and this weird fog closing in. Gives me the creeps.
Pass, friend.
Adventurer
What strange travelers?
Gate Guard
Oh, right. you're not from around here. They're called Vistani. I don't know where they came from, but they show up recently in a group of wagons. They pitched camp the other side of the stronghold. Folks say they curse people who cross them.
I don't know if they caused this miserable fog, but it can't just be a coincidence can it?
Adventurer
I don't know, but I mustn't keep the duchess waiting.
Adventurer
Thank you and take care.
Duchess of Wyndrake
Welcome to Wyndrake Manor, thank the gods that you are here. I trust that Lord Neverember has sent me someone competent; I am at my wits' end.
Adventurer
I can assure you I am more than competent, your grace. What seems to be the problem?
Duchess of Wyndrake
There have been strange mists closing in recently. They cling and linger, even when the sun is high, and over the last few days they have closed in rapidly. The people hereabouts are simple, superstitious folk and such unnatural weather unsettles them. Our farmers report that some of their livestock have been taken as the mist overcame their farms, and there are stories of bestial sounds in the fog.
My guards are on edge, too, and several I sent to investigate have not returned. Over the last few days even more have either deserted or been lost in the fog. I have ordered all the locals to gather within the stronghold walls for safety, and the remaining guards to protect the entrances.
Adventurer
What can I do to help?
Duchess of Wyndrake
In recent days some visitors arrived on my lands: travelers from far-off lands, calling themselves Vistani. These are the trouble-making type and problems follow them wherever they go.
I want you to determine if these travelers are somehow responsible for these bizarre occurences, or if they can help bring about their end.
My soldiers are a simple militia, not seasoned adventurers, and their numbers are so depleted, I am desperate for your assistance.
Adventurer
I will do what I can.
Stanimir
A stranger in our camp. What brings you here, I wonder? Greetings traveler, the vistani welcome you.
You have no need of an armed guard here, friend, we have done nothing wrong.
Adventurer
I just want to talk. Why are you here?
Stanimir
We are here because we need help. We seek a brave soul willing to help an innocent in peril. But it is hard to find one brave enough to risk all. Are you such a hero?
Adventurer
Who is in trouble? Perhaps I can help.
Stanimir
You would help the vistani break this curse? You are not like the others around here, I think.
My name is Stanimir. The one I speak of is the only daughter of our town's burgomaster. She is threatened by a great evil, an evil that overshadows our land of Barovia. Here is a letter from her father, beseeching your aid.
Adventurer
I see. Where is Barovia? I haven't seen it on any map.
Stanimir
You will not find it on any map, stranger. It is a strange place, a secret place. Come closer if you would know more, and I will tell you of the Vistani and of our mysterious home.
Adventurer
Tell me more.
Stanimir
We Vistani are a nomadic people, long since displaced from our own lands. One night a wounded soldier staggered into our camp and collapsed. We nursed him back to health. His enemies haunted him, but we protected him, as if he were one of our own. It transpired the stranger was a prince, and he fought to protect us, as we had protected him. We escorted him to his homeland and he thanked us by giving us the freedom of his realm... allowing us to come and go as we pleased in the knowledge that we would always be safe there. Now a curse has befallen our noble prince, turning him into a tyrant. We have traveled far and wide to find heroes who will end our dread lord's curse and put his troubled soul to rest.
Wyndrake Manor Guard
So, is everything settled? I can leave now? My husband, Erik, will be worried.
Adventurer
Yes, please tell her grace I will escort the visitors from her lands.
Wyndrake Manor Guard
Of course, I'll tell her. My Erik would never let me make a mistake like that.
Now, if there's nothing else, I'll leave you with your new friends. I need to get back to the castle and safety as soon as possible.
Adventurer
Goodbye.
Stanimir
Now you know how things came to pass in our lands. Do you still offer your aid, or will you shrink from the challenge?
Adventurer
I'm not afraid. Stanimir. What do you need me to do?
Stanimir
Journey with us to Barovia. Meet with our leader, Madam Eva. She knows all and will tell you what you must do to break the curse and save the burgomaster's daughter.
These mists that surround us will transport us safely to our realm. This is the only way to find Barovia, if you would dare.
Adventurer
Very well, let's go.
Stanimir
I told you these magical mists would transport us. Already we are on the borders of the land of Barovia.
Stanimir
Here you will meet Madam Eva. There she is, ahead.
Madam Eva
Welcome to Barovia. The ravens told me of your coming and now I see you have a special aura about you. You have faced great darkness, yes?
Adventurer
Well, I have fought a great deal of enemies, yes.
Madam Eva
That is good, but beware. Nothing you have faced until now compares to the evil here in Barovia. Nothing will have prepared you to face the devil Strahd. Nothing happens in Barovia except by his leave and none but the Vistani can depart. He holds the people of these lands in terror and everything in these parts is bent to his will.
Adventurer
So I must defeat Strahd?
Madam Eva
That will not be so easy, stranger. The devil Strahd is an ancient and terrible being whose dread curse makes him a fearsome adversary.
Allow me to read your fortune in the tarokka deck, and perhaps I can help you in the struggle to come.
Adventurer
Very well.
Madam Eva
Come closer, come closer. Let me tell you what the cards reveal. It is you! The cards show that you are destined to break the curse of Strahd. But first you must find three objects of power. A book that tells the devil's secrets. A sword that shines like the rising sun. A holy symbol that is sacred to the ravens. Find these things and you can save the maiden and free Barovia from the devil's curse. Now, take this... you will have need of the Tarokka cards in your trials to come.
System Notify
You have acquired a Tarokka Card! Open your inventory to view your Tarokka Cards.
Stanimir
It seems Madam Eva thinks you are destined to help Barovia!
You are not the first to try, but Madam Eva is wise; perhaps at last the curse will be broken. Remember my words and be careful on the road ahead.
Adventurer
Aren't you coming to Barovia?
Stanimir
We are waiting here for the other Vistani in our clan, then we too will go. We will see you in Barovia soon.
Adventurer
I will look for you there.
Stanimir
Stay on the path and you will be at the gates of Barovia shortly. Look for Esmeralda d'Avenir in the town there, she is wise and strong.
Remember my words and be careful on the road ahead.
Adventurer
Safe travels, Stanimir.
Stanimir
Werewolves! The Caravan is under attack!
Stanimir
You helped us defeat the werewolves! Strahd sometimes grants them permission to travel through the mists to do his bidding. He knows you have come.
You must tread carefully from this time forward, but you will always have a friend in Stanimir. I can never thank you enough for saving my family.
Adventurer
Think nothing of it, Stanimir.
Stanimir
You don't understand, my friend. We Vistani prize family bonds above all else. You have saved my family from certain death... or worse.
We are now bound to you by blood, and you to us.
Adventurer
Thank you, Stanimir.
Stanimir
You are a stranger no more. You are now Vistani, like me. Take this as a symbol of my esteem and a sign that you are now part of my family. It has been handed down from Vistani to Vistani for generations. As long as you have it, you can travel through the mists of Barovia unharmed.
Adventurer
I am honored, Stanimir.
Stanimir
The honor is mine, my friend.
May it guard you in the dangers you face ahead.
Follow the path and journey safely to the village of Barovia, where you will find Esmeralda. When she sees you are Vistani, she will reward you further.
Adventurer
I will see you again, Stanimir.
Count Strahd
Greetings, stranger. I am Count Strahd von Zarovich, the ruler of these lands and I bid you welcome to my realm.
Tell me, what brings you to these lands?
Adventurer
I am here to confront a great evil.
Count Strahd
Ah, the Vistani brought you!
They are good servants of mine. As are most things in these parts. No doubt they told you certain... things about me. I will watch your exploits in Barovia with interest.
Adventurer
They told me enough. You would be wise not to underestimate me, Count Strahd.
Count Strahd
I admire your spirit, thought I fear you will not be up to your task. Pass freely throughout this land; I wish you every success in your endeavors. I feel sure we shall meet again.
Adventurer
You can count on it, Strahd.
Completion[ | ]
Quest completes automatically upon entering the gates.
