Vistani

A Vistani man and woman at the Tser Pool Encampment

The **Vistani** are a race of nomadic humans that populate the Malachite Isles, mainly Roxstead and Southern Congeria. In recent years, a large population of Vistani have collected in Barovia.

Vistani are a unique ethno-group in that they are primarily nomadic and travel in tribes of collective families. The Vistani hold an aversion to violence and order and instead preserve the sanctity of the family, celebration, and stories of the ancient world. The Vistani also hold an affinity for the occult, believing in the fates and the outcomes of fortune-telling.

## History

Before the Mallus, the Vistani had their own kingdom: The Kingdom of Vistanus. Residing in what is now modern-day Roxstead, the Vistani Kingdom stayed away from the War of the Gods and instead focused on building their civilization upon the foundations of family, celebration, and prosperity. As a result of their isolation, they constructed a language, culture, and pantheon of their own, growing to a size rivalling the Congerian Empire.

Believing in fate and fortune-telling, the Vistani were suspicious of a cataclysm on the horizon, as told by a high-ranking noble fortune-teller. The prediction came to pass and the Mallus utterly decimated the Vistani civilization. Their lands had collapsed and were now infested with orcs, gnolls, trolls, and other monstrous creatures seeking to scavenge their ruins.

Consequently, the remaining Vistani travelled all around the newly-formed Malachite Isles in search of a place called home. After a while, the Vistani became a nomadic culture, spreading word of their pre-Mallus rituals and festivities.

However, the Vistani's affinity for the occult made civilizations very weary and suspicious of their intentions, with some kingdoms going as far as to ban or genocide their populations of Vistani. Thus, the race of Vistani is an endangered race, with their global population estimated to be 2000. The largest population of Vistani is in Southern Congeria, particularly the dread domain of Barovia.

In Barovia, Vistani are the only people able to enter and exit beyond the mists at will. The reasoning for this is unknown but it is believed to be attributed to an arcane pact made with the darklord Strahd von Zarovich.

## Culture

The Vistani culture is one steeped in tradition, with claims dating back to the creation of the world. The Vistani suffer from wanderlust and are always on the move, travelling in tightly-knit tribal units consisting of multiple families and overseen by a motherly figure known as a *Raunie*.

A raunie is believed to be gifted with supernatural powers of fortune-telling and future-seeing, a power colloquially known as "the Sight." One such raunie is Madam Eva, a bastard daughter of Strahd von Zarovich.

Vistani are generally friendly to other races and peoples, often offering shelter, food, and protection to travelers trying to escape evil. The Vistani are renowned for their musical talent, as well as silversmithing, coppersmithing, cooking, weaving, and jewelry. The Vistani also are known for their entertainment and story-telling, often sharing dramatic folklore from the ancient world and acting out original plays and musicals. The Vistani are also big drinkers and often party until sunrise.

The Vistani speak their own language, which resembles a dialect of old Common. Phrases such as *giorgio* or *culo* are based in Vistani idioms.

In xenophobic societies, the Vistani are said to possess an "evil eye," an ability to curse anyone a Vistani looks at.

## Appearance

Vistani are generally identified by their tan complexion, jet black hair, and greenish/brownish eyes. Most Vistani wear colorful and cheery clothing, ornamented by precious metals and valuable jewels. Some Vistani intermingle into local populations and produce children that do not look like Vistani. However, Vistani society accepts these individuals as full-blooded Vistani, no matter their appearance.