Blood of the Vine Tavern
A mutter of voices, a clatter of dishware, and the squeal of a poorly played wind instrument usher from this rambling building. A sign hanging precariously askew reads “Blood on the Vine Tavern.” A thin skein of smoke curls up from a wide chimney.
The structure was once finely appointed, though it has suffered from poor upkeep over the years. A successful DC 18 Spot check reveals that the sign originally read “Blood of the Vine Tavern,” but an N has been scratched over the F.
Many villagers took shelter at the tavern when the zombie incursion began and remain there as long as the infestation continues. Ten families are packed into the main room, and another twenty occupy various guestrooms, spare closets, the cellar, and even hallways.
Other than the families, three NPCs of note occupy the tavern. Arik, the barkeep and owner, mindlessly cleans glasses at the bar. Three Vistani were trapped during the uprising (they normally stay at the Tser Pool encampment), and now sit at a small table, slurping beer and playing cards. If the zombies in the courtyard are quelled (see tactical encounter E3), two of the Vistani emerge grumbling to help repair the barricade, then return to their game. Ismark the Lesser is the son of the town’s burgomaster. He sits in a shadowed corner, apart from all the others, and sips wine from a goblet. Ismark is dressed better than anyone else in the room, wearing what passes for a noble’s outfi t, though it is dirty and stained.
Arik: NG male human warrior 1; Profession (bartender).
Vistani (3): N human rogue 3; see page 76.
Ismark the Lesser: CG human aristocrat 4.
Arik refers all questions to Ismark. The Vistani only grin and shake their heads. If pressed, one says in heavily accented Common, “Go to encampment west of town. Talk to Madam Eva. Maybe she read your fortune.”
Ismark the Lesser
If approached, Ismark is initially reluctant to speak, but buying him another goblet of wine or succeeding on a DC 13 Diplomacy check quickly loosens his lips. He relates the following details to the PCs during the course of conversation.
• “I am Ismark the Lesser. My father is—was— Kolyan Indirovich, the burgomaster of Barovia. But the burgomaster is dead! His body lies these ten days and more in the mansion. My sister remains with him, barricaded there against the zombies.”
• “The plague began in the church. Danovich the priest used to ward the church and the village, but his vigil lapsed when his son Doru was slain by brigands on Old Svalich Road. No one knows what became of Danovich, but soon afterward, the zombies began to walk. If they aren’t stopped, we’ll all be dead in days.”
• “Two Lightbringers, undead hunters, went to investigate the church a few days ago. We haven’t heard from them since. I told them to talk to Madam Eva fi rst—that woman is wiser than any of us.”
• “The zombies didn’t get my father; the infection began after Kolyan was already dead, thank the gods. No—it was the master of the castle, or his servants, that killed Kolyan Indirovich!”
• “A few months ago, he who rules the castle—that devil Strahd—tried to pay us a visit. I don’t know why. However, my father bravely stood up to him, using the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind. Then the attacks began.”
• “The Holy Symbol of Ravenkind is a powerful amulet that hurt Strahd. But one morning we woke to fi nd our father dead from poison. After that, the power of the amulet wouldn’t work for me or my sister, Ireena.”
• “Me? I’m going to sit here and drink. Go speak with Madam Eva if you want to help—she’s west of town. Or talk to Ireena. Perhaps she’ll give you the amulet—much good it will do you. But Ireena won’t leave the mansion. She’s sit- ting vigil by our father’s body to make certain he doesn’t become a zombie.”
Development: If the PCs show Ismark the letter they received from Kolyan Indirovich, he indicates that the hand- writing is not his father’s.
