Argynvostholt

**Argynvostholt** was a fortified mansion in Barovia and home of the silver dragon, Argynvost. The hold was also the base of operations for the Order of the Silver Dragon, a cult dedicated to carrying out the elder dragon’s wishes. He knew of a place called the Amber Temple — a repository of evil power guarded by the forces of good. He wanted to make sure that whatever was trapped inside the Amber Temple wouldn’t be allowed to escape, so he built his mansion, Argynvostholt, close by.

Argynvostholt contains a 10 foot dragon statue, a temple to the Morninglord, as well as a huge portrait of a man who Rahadin identified (and confirmed by one of the Order's revenants) as Argynvost; Sigismund quietly noted that the man looked identical to Vassili van Holtz.

It also contains a draconic mausoleum for the bones and treasure of Argynvost. Rahadin suggested to Sigismund that he wanted to try return Argynvost's bones to the mausoleum in order to revive him. Dr Rudolph van Richten also suggested that it would be desirable to bring back the bones.

After Argynvost's skull was returned to his crypt a beacon of protection was lit and now beams across the entire valley.

## History

### Order of the Silver Dragon

In Y347 during his war with the Order of the Silver Dragon Count Strahd von Zarovich and his forces were lured into a trap at Argynvostholt and he was grievously wounded, however Strahd managed to escape with his life and was healed by the Vistani people south of Vallaki, earning the Vistani Strahd's favour for the rest of his lifetime.

The mansion was destroyed by Strahd, who personally led his forces with their powerful siege weapons in a climactic battle with the Order of the Dragon, and Argynvost himself. Since the dragon’s death, Argynvostholt has become a haunted ruin, a former bastion of nobility and light turned into a place of desolation and unrest. Some believe that Argynvost isn't at rest himself, and may one day return and bring light back into Argynvostholt, and across Barovia.

### Recent history

In recent times Argynvostholt was visited by Sigismund and Rahadin, who had deceived Sigismund into thinking he was part of the Order of the Silver Dragon. Together they killed a number of ghosts lingering within the ruins, who were the ghosts of the killed members of the Order, but did not defeat the revenant of Vladimir Horngaard. Rahadin told Sigismund the ghosts would return within 24 hours. Kasimir confirmed that he has heard that Rahadin has tried this trick many times before, but was not aware of anything in Argynvostholt of value so was not sure of his aims.

One of the Order's revenants confirmed that should someone approach with no weapons drawn and no violent intent they will be welcome to enter. This was proven to by true when the party of Hallgrimm Mikkenson, Narid Ashplantt, and Eklyre Temere entered without weapons drawn and were allowed within the mansion as long as they did not enter the chapel of the Order.

Van Richten used augury to confirm that should the party return the skull of Argynvost to Argynvostholt that the revenants would fight alongside them against Strahd.

The skull was subsequently returned successfully and once placed within Argynvost's crypt lit a beacon of protection. With that the revenants of the Order ascended from their flesh bodies and their souls were drawn to peace with the beam, the first spirits known to have escaped Barovia in centuries.