The Von Zaroviches

*Von Zarovich — my name invokes a sting of fear in the hearts of even the sternest heroes and the most experienced investigators. The Von Zarovich name carries with it a legacy of sadness, evil, corruption and darkness unequaled by any other great house of the realms. In fact, my researches into our origins suggest that, but for the excesses of Strahd Von Zarovich I and his unforgivable crimes against his own family, we would not now be cursed by the darkness that so easily takes root in our hearts.*

*Over time, I have come to suspect that the Strahd Von Zarovich who currently rules Barovia is no other than the same evil being that began our curse. Yes, though it strikes terror through me to even whisper such a thing, I have become convinced that Strahd is, in fact, one of the undying, a vampire that preserves his own evil life through the murder of others. His longevity, cruelty and cunning are legendary, yet, to my shame, though he is easily the bestknown of our bloodline, he is far from the only Von Zarovich that the good folk of the realms must fear.*

*In the early days of Barovian history, the Von Zaroviches were (along with the Dilisnya, Katsky and Petrovna) the leading noble clan of the realm. In those days the Von Zaroviches were bold warriors driving the wicked Tergs from Barovia and liberating an entire nation. Their leader in those days was the mighty Strahd I. My ancestor’s tale has been related time and again over the years — his illicit love for his brother Sergei’s betrothed Tatyana, Sergei’s murder at Strahd’s hands, the massacre of Sergei’s wedding guests at the hands of Dilisnya assassins and the suicide of sad Tatyana.*

*Nearly the entire Von Zarovich clan perished on that night, though Strahd himself survived, I now believe, somehow transformed into a vampire. My investigations indicate that he spread the rumor that his relative, “Sturm,” had missed the wedding; in Sturm’s guise, then, he himself undertook a campaign of vengeance against the Dilisnya and their patriarch, Leo. Though the Von Zaroviches were weakened and nearly destroyed, we emerged victorious, successfully driving the Dilisnya from the realm.*

*In time, the household itself began to recover, though the taint of Strahd’s sanguine thirst has touched all of us to some extent. To this day, sadly, House Von Zarovich remain one of the most dangerous in the realms, home to schemers and diabolical geniuses as well as ruthless killers and practitioners of the darkest of dark arts.*

*I believe that it is vital for you to fully understand the other members of my household, My Darling, if you are to truly understand what you join should you consent to become my wife. And so I humbly relate my origins to you, Dearest, in hopes that you may forgive me my family and help me to escape the evil fate so many of us embrace and instead follow the path of good I sense shining from within you.*

— letter from Reval Von Zarovich to his prospective wife and fiancée, Kataryna Mandorova, priestess of the Morning Lord

## The Von Zaroviches

This great family is as old as Barovia itself, and its evil is as deep as any in the Dread Realms. The Von Zaroviches are the living embodiment of gothic horror, a family cursed by the sins of its founders and tormented by the wickedness of its present ruler. With this history and this dark burden, it is not surprising that most members of the Von Zarovich clan have followed paths of corruption.

Unlike some other households, however, the Von Zaroviches also harbor a handful of others — brave and strong-willed individuals capable of resisting the call of darkness, of living their lives independently of their grim heredity. Some have even embraced the powers of good, but these individuals are few and far between.

### Fitting In

Von Zarovich is quite a widespread clan, with minor branches in several lands beyond Barovia’s orders, such as Kartakass, Invidia and Verbrek. Most remain concentrated in the mountainous regions of Barovia, however, where they are free to pursue whatever cruel schemes they desire because of their connection to Strahd and the ruling house.

Strahd is at best an absentee ruler who takes little interest in the lives and welfare of his citizens. For the most part, he leaves the daily running of the nation to his boyars and burgomasters. Although these positions are not normally awarded to members of the old ruling families — the Katsky, Petrovna, or the hated Dilisnya — Strahd is willing to make an exception in the case of his relatives, and open positions are sometimes awarded to minor members of the Von Zarovich household.

Gaining such a position sometimes requires a Von Zarovich to make a direct appeal to Count Strahd himself, which of course requires a pilgrimage to Castle Ravenloft — the dark heart of the Dread Realms. Strahd isn’t necessarily an ungracious host, yet save for a desire to maintain control in his realm by whatever means necessary, he has no overwhelming sense of loyalty or warmth toward his own bloodline. Requests for assistance should always be phrased as politely and cordially as possible, and denials must be accepted with good grace lest the supplicant find himself on the receiving end of Strahd’s displeasure.

Those Von Zaroviches who don’t hold important positions in the realm can be of just about any social station from simple freeman on up. Distant claims to Von Zarovich ancestry are quite common, for the family’s worst traits are only expressed in those who are most closely related to Strahd. All carry a certain amount of the family’s taint, however, and the inhabitants of Barovia treat all who bear the name or claim a relation to it with a certain fearful respect.

Even outside Barovia, the name of Von Zarovich garners considerable respect, even though other darklords such as Ivana Boritsi and Azalin Rex harbor deep hatred for Strahd and his family and will not hesitate to take vengeance on members of the Von Zarovich household. Consequently, members of the household tend to tread carefully when in hostile territory, even though it is contrary to the household’s traditional arrogance and selfassurance to do so.

Being a Von Zarovich comes with some responsibilities, for although Strahd has little love or loyalty for other family members, he nevertheless rules with an iron hand, demanding that his relations never bring disrespect or derision to the household. Von Zaroviches must dress well, and their weapons and armor must always be of the highest quality; their dwellings must always be kept in good condition, and they must never be drawn into such petty concerns as local power struggles, street crime or similar plebian pursuits.

Adventuring is allowed, though a Von Zarovich is expected to keep his adventuring companions at arms’ length. He must avoid carousing, brawling, excessive drinking, gluttony and associating with unseemly members of the opposite sex. An adventurer is certainly entitled to seek his fortune, but the gross display of magical skill is strongly discouraged. Despite the horrors of the past, House Von Zarovich retains its dignity and demands that its members observe the strictest rules of decorum.

In some cases, Strahd himself has been known to intervene should any of his family members violate these rules. First, trusted servants are sent to inform the offending scion that his behavior is unacceptable. Usually this is enough to shock a wayward family member into good conduct, but those who persist may end up with another visit, this time by another high-ranking Von Zarovich.

Should Strahd himself ever become directly involved, the scion’s career as a Von Zarovich — and indeed his life — is probably over.

### Being Good

Though there is indeed a darkness in the heart of the Von Zarovich soul, there remains in some a tiny spark of indefatigable goodness and a willingness to battle the influence of the shadow. Such individuals are quintessential gothic characters — good-hearted individuals who try to do the right thing but who must constantly battle the evil in their souls.

Good-aligned Von Zaroviches are still accepted by the family, though they are certainly treated like black (or, perhaps more accurately, white) sheep — ostracized, ridiculed and constantly tempted to follow the Path of Corruption. Only if a good-aligned Von Zarovich’s activities put him in direct conflict with the family will he face open opposition.

In some ways, the Von Zarovich heritage can be a powerful inducement to a good character, for the memory and knowledge of a household’s past sins can show her quite clearly what actions or excesses to avoid. They also provide sins and crimes for which a good character can seek atonement (that the character herself did not commit these crimes usually shouldn’t matter to a selfless gothic hero, for the sins of the parents are invariably passed down to sons and daughters). For the most part, a good-aligned Von Zarovich avoids the family’s homeland for fear of coming into direct conflict with other family members.

Wandering adventurers sometimes openly admit to their Von Zarovich pedigree in order to show that they have defied their evil heritage, or simply to show that not all Von Zaroviches are bad. Others hide their past and their ancestry as well as they are able, carrying it inside them like a secret shame. In all cases, however, the good-aligned Von Zarovich feels a deep and abiding need to right the wrongs of the world and to see justice done.

No matter how much they do, however, the darkness of the Von Zarovich soul never goes away completely.

### Claiming Membership

Claiming membership in house Von Zarovich is not necessary per se — an individual is either a Von Zarovich or she is not. The nature of the Dread Realms and the influence of the Dark Powers is such that a Von Zarovich scion simply knows her true heritage and understands her connection to the shadows. Even those who are not immediately informed of their intimate connection to the most infamous household in the realms will know that they are different from the cowed, superstitious peasants that surround them.

Distant relatives or those whose parents attempt to hide their Von Zarovich legacy almost always learn of their connection — if not by finding it out through research or by being told, then perhaps by the dark and troubling dreams or visions that often plague them as they grow older. The murder of Sergei and tragic suicide of Tatyana is often the subject of these visions, as is the lonely and tormented existence of Strahd himself, wandering his cold, bleak castle tormented by the spirits of his countless victims. In time, it becomes clear to the Von Zarovich scion that these are not truly dreams, but instead mystical visions of Strahd’s past and present.

Though Strahd is far from the most loyal or supportive family patriarch, he nevertheless welcomes new members to the family, even going so far as to explain the individual’s genealogical connection to House Von Zarovich. Sometimes this revelation fills the recipient with nothing less than horror, bringing Strahd himself a tiny but welcome moment of joy and sadistic pleasure. He especially enjoys passing the truth on to good-aligned characters, for he knows that their path will most often spiral into darkness.

Once a Von Zarovich knows of his or her heritage, life is rarely the same. Simply being associated with Barovia’s ruling household brings considerable benefits, from the terrified respect of the peasants to the obsequious fawning of innkeepers, boyars and burgomasters. Occasionally, family holdings become available and Strahd or another high-ranking Von Zarovich may award them to a noteworthy (or even an undeserving) relative. As in other kingdoms, estates and property that are confiscated from traitors and enemies of the state are sometimes given to newly recognized Von Zaroviches for safekeeping.

## Von Zarovich Family Traits

* +2 Intelligence: Von Zaroviches tend to be cunning and shrewd individuals.
* **Taint of the Blood:** The cursed taint of Von Zarovich blood is etched deep into the heart and soul of all family members. Though these fearsome traits are strongest in those most closely related to Strahd himself, nearly all of Von Zarovich ancestry show at least one of these inherent curses. The DM should assign at least one of these features to any Von Zarovich character, although the character should not be made unplayable; for instance, if more than one is assigned, then the curses need not take effect every time their requirements/triggers are fulfilled.
* **Lure of the Dark Powers:** The Von Zarovich has a permanent +1% modifier to all powers checks. For example, an unprovoked assault upon a friend normally requires a 2% powers check, but in the case of the tainted Von Zarovich character, this percentage rises to 3%.
* **Nightmares:** From time to time, Von Zaroviches are tormented by terrible dreams of darkness and blood. Whenever he sleeps, the Von Zarovich character must make a Will save (DC varies based on the character’s actions the previous day, but generally 10–15) or be visited by nightmares; if nightmares do occur, the character is considered fatigued upon waking. If they visit the Von Zarovich for any three nights in succession, he is considered exhausted.
* **Thirst for Blood:** When in combat, every time he wounds an opponent with a melee attack, the Von Zarovich must make a DC 12 Will save or fly into a berserk frenzy, gaining a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls and attacking that opponent until it falls (even if he had been dealing nonlethal damage up to that point, for instance). Once the opponent drops, the Von Zarovich must make a DC 15 Will save each round or continue to attack it, effectively making a coup-de-grace attack that round. If at any time he rolls a natural 1 on this save, the character immediately abandons the fallen enemy and throws himself upon the nearest opponent, still gaining the bonuses for his frenzy. If this opponent drops, the Von Zarovich must again make a Will save to avoid mutilating the fallen as described above. The DM may apply penalties to the Von Zarovich character’s Will saves if the current opponent is a hated enemy (these modifiers should range from –1 to –5, with higher modifiers given only for major antagonists of the character or perhaps traditional family enemies). A Von Zarovich character can’t undergo a frenzy at the same time as he experiences a vision of horror (see below), even though he may have both curses.
* **Visions of Horror:** On occasion, some Von Zaroviches are visited with images of the horrors from their family’s past and the horrors of the future, as well as haunting images of the torments that await them at the hands of the Dark Powers. Every time he is wounded in battle, the Von Zarovich character must make a DC 12 Will save or be dazzled by these flitting images for the duration of the present combat and for 1d3 rounds thereafter. A dazzled character takes a –1 penalty on attack rolls, Search checks and Spot checks. (Multiple “dazzled” effects do not stack.) Character can’t experience visions of horror at the same time as he is possessed by his thirst for blood (see above), even though he may have both curses.

### Family Feats

When creating a Von Zarovich, the player or DM should select at least one of the character’s feats from the following list (or from among those new feats described below) during character creation:

Alertness, Ancestral LegacyV, Athletic, Cold OneR, Combat Casting, Combat Expertise, CourageR, Darkness WithinC, Diehard, Endurance, HauntedR, HeroismH, HollowC, Iron Will, JadedR, KnowledgeableH, LibraryH, LiteracyH, Magical Aptitude, Martial Weapon Proficiency, Piercing GazeC, PortentsV, Second SightC, Spell Focus (necromancy), Spell Mastery, Weapon Focus, Vampiric RegenerationC, or Voice of WrathR. The character must meet all requirements for each feat, as usual.

The following new feats should be available only to Von Zarovich characters (or, at the DM’s discretion, to those of some other bloodline that has a history of vampirism among its ancestors).

#### Blood Ritual [Metamagic]

You may recover arcane spell energy using the blood of a sacrificial victim.

**Prerequisites:** Blood Spell\*, wizard level 9th.

**Benefit:** You can cast spells as if by means of the Blood Spell feat (q.v.), except that you may shed the blood of another creature rather than your own. The victim used to gain this benefit must be helpless, and drawing blood from him or her provokes attacks of opportunity. Using this feat always extends the spell’s casting time to at least 1 full round.

You must make a powers check as if you had inflicted “routine torture” every time you use this feat.

#### Blood Spell [Metamagic]

Accessing the dark curse of your bloodline, you may shed your own blood to power your arcane spells.

**Prerequisites:** Wizard level 5th.

**Benefit:** This metamagic feat is unique in that it requires hit points rather than additional spell levels to function. By ritually cutting yourself as part of casting a spell (thereby increasing the spell’s casting time), you may avoid expending the prepared spell slot. You must sacrifice a number of hit points equal to twice the total level of the spell cast (which may be modified by other metamagic feats) to do so. The casting time of the spell is increased based on its usual casting time, as follows.

 1 standard action
 1 full round
 More than 1 full round

For example, a wizard with this feat wishes to cast the empowered vampiric touch he has prepared, but wants to be sure he can cast the spell again. By cutting himself for 10 points of damage and increasing the spell’s casting time to 1 full round, he provides the spell energy to cast the spell (which is normally 3rd level, but has been modified to use a 5th-level spell slot because of the Empower Spell feat).

#### Commanding Gaze [General]

Your penetrating, unnatural gaze is often enough to stop even the most hardened killer in his tracks.

**Prerequisites:** Wis 13, Cha 13, Piercing Gaze.

**Benefit:** As a standard action, you can cause any target within 30 feet to make a Will save (DC 10 + half your HD/levels + your Charisma modifier) or be stunned for 1 full round. A creature that saves against your commanding gaze is immune to its effect for 24 hours. This is a mind-affecting, supernatural ability.

#### Lure of the Blood [General]

Due to your inherited connection to Strahd’s curse of vampirism, your melee attacks can cause bleeding wounds.

**Prerequisites:** Base attack bonus +6, Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, fighter level 4th. already have Weapon Specialization. Whenever you wield a weapon of that type in combat, it functions as if it had the wounding property in addition to any actual magical properties it might bear. This is a supernatural ability. If you are of good alignment, you must make a 1% powers check for every 24-hour period during which you utilize the benefit of this feat.

**Special:** You can gain this feat multiple times. Its effects do not stack. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a new type of weapon. A fighter may select Lure of the Blood as one of his fighter bonus feats. He must have Weapon Specialization with a weapon to gain the Lure of the Blood feat for that weapon.

#### Touch of Darkness [General]

You can attack foes with an enervating attack that resembles a vampire’s energy drain.

**Prerequisites:** Base attack bonus +10, Cleave, Darkness WithinC, Power Attack.

**Benefit:** Any time you successfully strike a living opponent in melee combat, she takes 1 point of Strength damage.

### Family Classes

Most Von Zaroviches have a natural aptitude for magic. Wizards abound among them, as do sorcerers and practitioners of divine magic; nearly all of the latter have dedicated themselves to the gods of evil. However, fighters and rogues are not uncommon among them, for House Von Zarovich is from its ancient roots a warrior clan; still, in the present age, warrior-types are actually outnumbered by spellcasters. The Von Zaroviches do not normally claim much of a connection with nature, so barbarians, druids and rangers are uncommon; likewise, they aren’t known for their asceticism, making monks even rarer. Paladins — champions of the light and justice that the Von Zaroviches find utterly repellent — are the rarest of all and are generally abhorred or scorned by other members of the family.

Exceptional Von Zaroviches who take prestige class levels most commonly choose archmage, blackguard, dreamcasterC, eldritch knight, hierophant, knight errantH, loremaster and night lordC. In addition, there are two new prestige classes presented below that are virtually unique to those of Von Zarovich blood. (A DM may decide to let other characters take these prestige classes, but should have a good reason for doing so — such as the character being an adoptee or special ally of the family).

## Story Hooks

### Call of the Blood

A player character has been plagued by horrifying nightmares. Eventually, either he or his friends discover the horrifying truth — that he is distantly related to the infamous Von Zarovich family. The character is periodically visited by dreams in which a dark noble invites him to accept his destiny, and he may also develop one or more of the Von Zarovich curses. The character and his companions must deal with the constant danger of giving in to the family’s bloodthirsty heritage and decide whether to fight the darkness or simply accept the inevitable and embrace it.

### The Lost Tome

The Tome of Strahd has been stolen! How such an outrage could have been perpetrated under the very nose of the powerful Count is anyone’s guess, but Strahd Von Zarovich immediately calls upon all of his household to find the volume. The obvious suspects are traditional enemies such as Azalin Rex and the Dilisnya family, but it is up to the DM to decide who is really behind the act. One possibility is that the culprit is none other than Malocchio Aderre, ruler of Invidia, who has finally discovered his ability to teleport without error anywhere in the Dread Realms, regardless of the will of the realm’s darklord. This event could lead to a major confrontation and possibly result in a crisis that necessarily shakes all the realms, for Malocchio’s ability deals a major blow to the balance of power among the darklords.

### Assassin Hunt

While Strahd Von Zarovich is usually content to allow his relatives to go about their business in peace (as long as they do not unduly embarrass the family), he sometimes calls upon family members to take care of certain delicate matters of business. A Dilisnya assassin has been seen in the city of Zeidenburg. While it is unlikely that this individual can threaten Strahd himself, he can nevertheless inflict considerable damage on family holdings and create mischief within Barovia’s borders by associating with and aiding rebels, bandits, criminals and other troublemakers who are especially common in Zeidenburg. A Von Zarovich scion (the player character or an NPC close to the party) and his companions are commanded to journey to Zeidenburg, locate the assassin and find out what she knows. The characters are forced to plunge into the dark intrigue of Zeidenburg, dealing with crime lords, renegades, Gundarakite rebels and a secret underground network of Dilisnya allies and informants.

## Family Magic Items

The following items are all family heirlooms belonging to the Von Zaroviches and their retainers.

### Heartsblood Orb

This crystalline sphere is about the size of an apple and glows with a rich, reddish inner light. When held, it feels cold to the touch and gives good-hearted wielders a tangible sense of dread.

The orb is reputed to contain a small amount of blood from an ancient, powerful outsider defeated by Count Strahd I. Rumor claims that this outsider still lives and will one day seek out the orb’s holder to take horrific vengeance on him and all others who have ever benefited from its magic.

**Heartsblood Orb:** This item conveys cold, electricity and fire resistance 10 and a +1 bonus to all saving throws upon its possessor. Once per day, the holder of the heartsblood orb can use it to cast the equivalent of a heal spell (caster level 11th) upon himself.

Moderate conjuration and transmutation; CL 11th; Craft Wondrous Item, heal, resistance, resist energy; Price 53,000 gp; Weight 1 lb.

### Sanguine Chalice

The Von Zaroviches have many fell magic items, some of which require the suffering of other living beings in order to function. This item was made long ago, well before Barovia’s descent into the mists, intended to replenish the bodies and spirits of Von Zarovich soldiers and leaders. Some sympathetic historians claim that the chalice was originally powered by holy water or perhaps wine or some other innocuous fluid, but most believe that the item was always used with the blood of victims.

The sanguine chalice is a beautiful silver goblet, etched with intertwined roses and skulls; it bears several large blood-red stones set about its base. When blood is poured into the cup, these stones glow faintly, throbbing slightly as if to a struggling heartbeat.

**Sanguine Chalice:** When the equivalent of 2 points of temporary Constitution worth of the blood of any living creature is poured into the chalice, its magical powers activate. The contents of the chalice can then be drunk, granting the user any one of the following benefits (user’s choice).

* The drinker is healed of 4d8+7 points of damage.
* The drinker is affected as if by remove disease.
* The drinker is affected as if by neutralize poison.
* The drinker’s fatigue or exhaustion conditions are removed as if he had slept 8 hours.
* The drinker gains a +1 morale bonus to attack and damage rolls for 1d10 minutes.
* The drinker gains a +2 deflection bonus to AC for 1d10 minutes.

The chalice is usable only three times per day and is considered an evil item for the purpose of provoking powers checks.

Moderate transmutation; CL 7th; Craft Wondrous Item, bless, cure critical wounds, neutralize poison, remove disease, shield of faith; Price 70,000 gp; Weight 1 lb.

### Scarlet Breastplate

This item is magnificently crafted, enameled in deep, vivid red and etched with thorny vines and flowers. Such breastplates are typically worn by Von Zarovich officers, though a few have turned up in the hands of bandits and mercenaries (presumably after being wrested from their legitimate owners). Wearers of the breastplate are granted considerable strength and resistance to magic, but become prone to rash acts.

**Scarlet Breastplate:** This +3 breastplate grants its wearer the benefit of spell resistance 19. As well, it grants a +2 enhancement bonus to Strength, but also a –2 penalty to Wisdom. Any time there is an enemy with a drawn weapon within charge range, the wearer must make a DC 15 Will save or immediately charge that opponent. (If there is more than one opponent within range, he charges whichever is closest.)

Moderate transmutation; CL 9th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, bull’s strength; Price 60,000 gp; Weight 30 lb.

### Sword of the Bat

Made of night-black steel, its hilt in the form of a stylized bat and quillons in the form of a bat’s outstretched wings, this weapon has been carried by the best of the elite Von Zarovich warriors for generations.

**Sword of the Bat:** This +4 wounding ghost touch longsword grants its wielder a fly speed of 50 ft. (good maneuverability) for up to 1 hour each day while holding the weapon. The flight ability need not be used all at once, but may be broken up into any number of uses per day, as long as the total time spent flying does not exceed 1 hour.

Moderate conjuration, transmutation and necromancy; CL 12th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Mordenkainen’s sword, overland flight, plane shift; Price 173,000 gp; Weight 3 lb.

### The Tome of Strahd (Minor Artifact)

Ostensibly a self-serving, self-glorifying biography penned by Strahd Von Zarovich himself, the original copy of this book is held in the depths of Castle Ravenloft. Black-bound and reeking of tangible evil, the original Tome of Strahd also has substantial magical powers. Many copies of this book exist — most are incomplete or inaccurate in some details and have little or, more often than not, no magical power.

The original tome resides in a special chamber, resting on a black oak bookstand. Strahd himself adds to the book from time to time, and it miraculously always seems to have enough pages to accommodate whatever he writes.

**Tome of Strahd:** The Tome of Strahd functions as a book of vile darkness, save that it functions for arcane (not divine) spellcasters, who gain a +2 inherent bonus to Intelligence (rather than a +1 bonus to Wisdom and one experience level) if they read the book.

In addition, reading the book causes any reader to gain one of the Von Zarovich curses (see Taint of the Blood in Von Zarovich Family Traits, earlier in this chapter), but also allows any evil character who reads it to thereafter take any of the Von Zarovich feats (see Family Feats) as if he had Von Zarovich blood.

Due to the detailed information contained in the book, any evil character who spends 1 minute poring over the book gains a +2 bonus to any Knowledge check made the following round, as long as the check has something to do with curses, evil magic, the Von Zaroviches, the Dread Realms, or the undead.

Strong evocation (evil); CL 17th; Weight 5 lb.