Stanimir

Patriarch of the Tser Pool Vistani Caravan

## Appearance and Summary

Stanimir is a neutral good aligned character. A little overweight, he often boasts that it’s a sure sign of a good life. He has long white hair that’s kept slicked back and a well trimmed goatee and beard. He sports typical Vistani loose colorful garments.

He and his tribe were exiled from their home when a invading kingdom stole their land. He and his people have wandered the land since.

## Personality

Stanimir is a very cheerful man, very personable and welcoming. Making friends and connections comes easy to him. Being the leader of his caravan of Vistani, he often has to deal with many serious matters but takes these on with a smile and a laugh, much to the chagrin of his son, who thinks he needs to be the bad cop to his fathers good cop.

He, like his son Radka, bears a hidden guilt for saving Strahd and his tyrannical rule over Barovia. He is haunted by this decision and his friendly nature, and often uses drinking and his joyful attitude as a way to hide his true emotions.

## Story

Prior to the adventurers meeting them, Stanimir belonged to a country for him and his fellow Vistani. An invading kingdom conquered the land and exiled many of the Vistani, leaving most to be slaves or wanderers.

Being of the latter, they traveled the lands far and wide. It just so happened one day while traveling in a foreign land in conflict, a gravely injured Strahd stumbled into his camp.

Not caring to know who he was, they nursed him back to health and escorted him back to his home. Assassins came and they fought them off together. For saving his life, Strahd promised them safe passage and stay whenever they came to his domain.

Watching his prince rise to prominence, he felt pride knowing he and his people helped his lordly ally prosper. Through this act, other Vistani also gained favor and great mutual commerce between the two factions ensued. Though eventually, they also witnessed his downfall and rise to tyranny.

Now having the guilt of knowing he was somewhat responsible for his rise to power, he lives on in hidden shame, hoping one day to find people powerful enough to free his prince from his curse.

Meeting adventurers over and over, Stanimir began to lose hope as none could vanquish his cursed prince. That is until one day, an unusual trio stumbled into his encampment.

It’s here he meets our adventurers. He welcomes them in from the cold mists that surround the camp, drinking and singing and having his son Radka dance with them.

He tells them stories, of a mad mage who challenged Strahd, and even the story of Strahd himself.

He then asks the party to help free Strahd from his curse. Not giving them time to answer his request, he directs them to Madam Eva for direction.

## Story telling

* **The Mad Mage who defied Strahd**

> *“A mighty wizard came to this land over a year ago. I remember him like it was yesterday. He stood exactly where you’re standing. A very charismatic man, he was. He thought he could rally the people of Barovia against the devil Strahd. He stirred them with thoughts of revolt and bore them to the castle en masse.*
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> *When the vampire appeared, the wizard’s peasant army fled in terror. A few stood their ground and were never seen again.*
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> *The wizard and the vampire cast spells at each other. Their battle flew from the courtyards of Ravenloft to a precipice overlooking the falls. I saw the battle with my own eyes. Thunder shook the mountainside, and great rocks tumbled down upon the wizard, yet by his magic he survived. Lightning from the heavens struck the wizard, and again he stood his ground. But when the devil Strahd fell upon him, the wizard’s magic couldn’t save him. I saw him thrown a thousand feet to his death. I climbed down to the river to search for the wizard’s body, to see if, you know, he had anything of value, but the River Ivlis had already spirited him away."*
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* **The Escort of Strahd**

Stan fills his mouth with wine and spits in to the fire, the flame turns from orange to green.

**As they dance and sway a dark shape appears in the bonfires core.**

> *“We come from an ancient land who is name is long forgotten. A land of kings, where our enemies forced us from our homes, and now we wander the lost roads.”*
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**The dark shape in the fire takes the form of a man being knocked from his horse, a spear piercing his side.**
Stan continues,

> *“One night a wounded soldier staggered into our camp and collapsed. We nursed his terrible injury. He survived. When we asked him who he was he wouldn’t say, all he wanted was to return home. But we were deep in the land of his enemies, we took Him as one of our own, we followed him Back towards his homeland. His enemies hunted him. They said he was a prince, yet we would not give him up, even when their assassins fell upon us like wolves.”*
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**Deep in the bonfire, you see the dark figure standing with sword drawn, fighting off a host of shadowy shapes.**

> *“This man of royal blood fought to protect us, as we protected him. We bore him safely to his home and he thanked us. He said “I owe you my life. Stay as long as you like, leave when you choose. And know that you will always be safe here.””*
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**The figure in the dancing fire vanquishes the last final foe, then disperses in a cloud of smoke and embers.**
Stanimir’s face becomes a somber mask

> *“A curse has befallen our noble prince, turning him into a tyrant. We alone have the power to leave his domain. We’ve travelled far and wide to find heroes such as you to end our dread lords curse and put his troubled soul to rest. As we have for many years. We’ve all but given up hope for freeing him, though he remains a fond memory of our time together.”*
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It’s then you notice the jovialness of the camp from has died down. No one is dancing anymore. A few more from the outer sides of the circle come closer and are watching a little more intently.

> *“But for some reason, you people feel different. Could be just an inkling, a feeling in my gut, the same feeling that drew us to our prince. I think you should see Madam Eva, though I am the patriarch of this band, she is many times my elder and many times wiser. She can see many things and tell you many things.”*
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