Integrating a beloved Vistani NPC into CoS? Homebrew help needed!
Hi! I am a newbie DM and we're two sessions into CoS Reloaded.
There is some key context I should lay out before asking about narrative direction:
- I only have 2 players at my table and for the majority of our campaigns, they have played 2 characters each. It's chaotic, but it's good fun!
- My players are *very* invested in their entourage of NPCs, so I am hoping to meaningfully integrate their stories into the campaign where possible.
- They both had PCs who have been to the village of Barovia. There, they offered to help Dimitri, a local young man, who's sister was offered up as a sacrifice to the Svalich Woods.
- Dimitri and his sister, Clara, were raised by Father Lukresh (the predecessor to Donavich) after their mother died and their father disappeared. He fled with them at the end of this little misadventure.
- Dimitri's mother is Vistani. They are unsure why she left her tasque.
- The players suspect that Dimitri and Clara do not have the same father and the mother came to the village after beginning her relationship with a Barovian man (this has neither been confirmed nor denied).
- Dimitri is an adept card reader and has prophetic dreams. He also recieved a letter from his presumed to be dead mother, begging him not to return to the valley (players are rightfully suspicious of this)
- Since this initial trip, ten years have passed in-universe and Dimitri was married to one of the PCs - Val. Val tragically died at the hands of Malar cultists who sought to use Dimitri as a guide through the mists. They are convinced the cure to Lycanthropy is within the valley and want to destroy it and/or leverage it for power.
- Originally, Val was going to be brought back by forming a pact with Lathander, who wants Strahd and his army of undead slain. I was thinking an epic reveal coinciding with them obtaining the sun sword. However, I open to alternatives to this!
With all that context provided, I was hoping to gain feedback on potential options for integrating these NPCs into the campaign.
So far, I've considered these:
- Strahd has a vested interest in Dimitri because of shared losses (their mothers, their red-haired lovers) and seeks to groom him to be his successor. We know Stahd's ego is far too delicate for this to succeed, but it would be interesting nevertheless!
- Dimitri and/or Clara are apart of Madame Eva's (The Seeker) bloodline. Strahd seeks either / both of them to conduct a ritual to escape the valley. Clara is an apprentice wizard and still reeling from losing her only maternal figure (she has no memories of their mom), so Strahd could easily manipulate her. Likewise, if it was Dimitri, I would play up the legends regarding the Dukkar.
- Clara and/or Dimitri is actually Sergei's reincarnation. This one is a little out of left field, but would work thematically. Both of them lost someone they loved, but will ultimately refuse the temptation of a dark pact. Less important, but I could see my players being delighted by Clara falling for Ireena (who doesn't like a fated lovers trope?)
I apologize for the length, but I wanted to be thorough! Any and all help is appreciated ♥️