Alexi von Svalich

Placeholder: brief introductory description.

## **In Baldur's Gate**

Alexi is not from Baldur's Gate originally, nor is he from Toril at all, for that matter. His homeland is the misty valley of Barovia in the dread demiplane of Ravenloft, a facet of the Shadowfell. He has been living in Baldur's Gate for roughly five years, serving as an art dealer for wealthy patriars while secretly carrying out the will of his dark master.

### **Home**

Alexi lives in a narrow but modest three-story structure in the Bloomridge neighborhood of Lower City, just north of the Smilin' Boar near the Outer City wall. He uses the lower floor as a gallery and office, the second floor as living quarters, and the upper floor for research and ritual.

### **Family, Friends, and Contacts**

***Jonas Goodnight.*** The owner and manager of the Oasis Theatre in Little Calimshan has proved to be a reliable contact for Alexi. As an artist, entrepreneur, and charlatan, Mr. Goodnight runs in a great many social circles and provides Alexi with fairly reliable leads on prospective clientele.

***Lord Dorian Caldwell.*** The Caldwell family of patriars owns and operates a majority of the art galleries in Baldur's Gate and has made much of their fortune from the art trade. While Alexi may not be personally acquainted with the family's figurehead, the foppish Lord Dorian, he has dealt with several other members of Dorian's kin when arranging exhibits and facilitating sales.

## **Dark Secret: The Eomane Event**

In one way or another, all of the heroes are tied to the accidental murder of Lady Dolandre Eomane, which occurred roughly two years ago. Whether it was revenge, complacency, or sheer bad luck, each hero is in some way connected to the string of events that led to her death. But Dolandre was not the intended victim...

It is known in certain circles that the Eomane family is fond of hosting scandalous masked revels at their manor. What is less known is that the lady of the manor, Nysene Eomane, likes to extend invitations to hopeful social climbers from other districts with the intent to trap them for the night in a cruel and sadistic game of cat and mouse.

Carmilla Manly was one of these unfortunate victims.

### **Alexi's Role**

On the day of the murder, Nysene was intending to meet with Alexi about art. In truth, Alexi had heard of Nysene's revels and set his sights on her as a worthy offering to his dark master in Barovia. In an attempt to discover a means of tempting Nysene into the Cloak Wood, Alexi was able to set up this meeting with Nysene after be introduced to her at an event at one of the Caldwell Galleries. Unbeknownst to Alexi, Nysene had decided she was too busy to deal with art and sent her sister, Dolandre, in her stead.

Disappointed, Alexi realized that if he did not meet with Dolandre he might risk his chances with Nysene later. He trudged through his presentation arduously, not stopping to take any of the delicious refreshment provided. After a short time, Dolandre began choking. Quickly, her veins turned purple, her eyes ran with blood, and she coughed up bile. It wasn't long before she lay dead on the floor in a pool of her own blood. Certainly, Alexi could not be caught in the presence of a dead noble, as he knew how corrupt the Flaming Fist can be. Panicking, he fled the scene of the crime expeditiously and did not look back.

It has been roughly two years since the night of the murder, and it seems that Alexi has slipped through the Flaming Fist's fingers. However, he cannot help thinking that his failure to lure Nysene Eomane into the Cloak Wood may somehow be the reason that he can no longer hear the voice of his dark master. But he dare not attempt to make contact with Nysene again, else he end up in the Flaming Fist's clutches.

## **Adventure Hook**

Long has it been since Alexi has seen his homeland of Barovia. He has spent the last five years living in Baldur's Gate, sending foolhardy adventurers south into the Cloak Wood when the mists are at their fullest so that they may be taken by the dark powers of Ravenloft. He has not heard the voice of his master in almost two years, however, and he is desperate for a way to reach through the mists to Barovia.

Alexi has discovered that a scholar from the city of Aion, the abjurer known as Ren the White, has taken to the study of the demiplane of dread and perhaps may be able to provide the answers he seeks. Ren the White is currently visiting the holy city of Elturel on a diplomatic errand. Alexi was making preparations to leave for the holy city when Baldur's Gate closed its gates to an influx of refugees from the very place he seeks.

Alexi has accepted a conscription by the Flaming Fist in order to find out more and possibly earn a pass out of the city so that he can make his way to Elturel and meet with Ren the White. His first instructions are to meet Captain Darmin Zodge at the Basilisk Gate for orders.

## **Statistics Summary**

Alexi is a level 1 human (Vistani) warlock.

## **Character Questionnaire**

***Which emotion best describes you?***

Reflection, resigned anger, defeatist resentment. On some level Alexi is angry at everyone for his mistreatment as a child and he uses it as an excuse to mistreat the rest of the world, and to justify Strahd's doing so. Everyone else is part of the same machine that wronged him. On the surface he seems like an emotionally detached but amiable upper class art dealer.

***What are your goals in life?** **What do you need most?***

To serve my master Strahd and see his will done upon the world.

***When did you grow up?*** ***What are your roots?***

VIstani bay-bee

Define 3 important things you learned growing up.

* Humanoids are just beasts who put on airs
* Life is suffering
* One must appreciate the moments of beauty that are punctuated by this macabre dance of life

***What do you look like? How do you dress?***

I dress like a Russian upper-class merchant, with furs and heavy fabrics.

***What are your personal tastes?***

Define 3 likes.

* Art
* Strahd
* VIstani Red Wine

Define 3 dislikes.

* Boorishness
* Vistani who judge him
* Moralizing

***What are three of your worst fears?***

Define 3 fears.

* Personal powerlessness
* Sergei's judgement in the afterlife
* Being told I'm worthless by those I serve

***What is your deepest regret?***

That I never told Madame Eva what I really thought of her, but at that age I did not have the words to express the depths of the injustice of her abandonment, and the cowardice of her flock of mongrels as they stared dumbstruck at the dagger. Sergei was not a regret.  Privately, I do not regret killing him at all, that moment was the moment that defined who I am, and he was the kind of worthless that is so lost he pulls others into his despair and suffering. Publicly, I will deny it happened.

***What are your opinions on the issues of the day?***

Define up to 3 opinions on the issues of the day.

* Opinion 1
* Opinion 2
* Opinion 3

***What is your comfort zone?***

At an art gallery, or at a small high end party surrounded by tapestries.

***Who has had the biggest impact on your life?***

Sergei or Stahd Von Zarovich or Madame Eva.

***What are some of your unexpected quirks?***

I like to critique any art I encounter.