Vistana Image

Made up of folk from all races, the colorful and uncanny Vistani (singular: Vistana) are a people apart.  Living outside the bounds of civilization, they wander the lands of the world and its echoes in gaudy, barrel-topped wagons called vardos, which they build themselves.  Essential to the Vistani is the blood—the familylike mystic bond each member shares that makes each one a Vistani and ties clan to clan.  Each Vistani family belongs to one of three extended clans called tasques: the Boem (who are primarily entertainers and more disposed to interact with giorgios, or non-Vistani), the Kaldresh (primarily crafters and animal-handlers), and the Manusa (insular specialists in the arcane).    

Vistani, as a whole, are silversmiths, coppersmiths, haberdashers, cooks, weavers, musicians, entertainers, storytellers, toolmakers, and horse traders.  Eldritch arts are also central among the Vistani, who are noted for their strange magic, wondrous items, and horrible curses.  A flamboyant people, Vistani dress in bright clothes, laugh often, and drink heartily.  They spend whatever they earn to support a lavish lifestyle, display their wealth openly as a sign of prosperity, and share their good fortune with family and friends.

Vistani life revolves around rich tradition.  Each family is it own little gerontocracy, directed by a senior man (called the captain) and an elder woman (called the raunie).  The captian governs mundane matters such as camping, travel, and trade, while the raunie guides the family's spiritual life.  She is responsible for enforcing traditions, settling disputes, and preserving the Vistani way of life.  The raunie make all the important decisions, but whether by choice or because of their age, tend to speak in cryptic, flowing riddles.  Every raunie—and often other women in the family—possess the power to tell fortunes with cards, dice, or tea leaves.  This gift is called "the Sight."  It is the curse of the Vistani's prescience, however, that their own fates cannot be divined.  Even the legendary Madam Eva, greatest of the Vistani seers, cannot see her own future or the future of her kin. Male children endowed with the Sight are killed at birth, for those who survive to adulthood (called Dukkars) are believed to be the bane of the Vistani.

Vistani families and clans are closely knit.  They resolve disagreements through contests that end with reconciliatory singing, dancing, and storytelling.  Although they can seem lazy and irresponsible to outsiders, the Vistani are a serious people, quick to act when their lives or traditions are threatened.  They are merciless when they believe they must be.  Vistani who forsake the nomadic life are called mortu, which translates roughly as "Living Dead," while Vistani who knowingly bring harm or misfortune to others of their kind are banished—the worst punishment a Vistana can imagine, even worse than death.  Such criminal Vistani are branded Darklings, marked with a curse that telegraphs their outlaw status; they hate and are hated by others of the blood.         

Vistani cross the borders between worlds as easily as fording a stream, using magic and guile to navigate the wilds.  As they rove, they collect unusual goods, abilities, and news.  When they set up camp near a settlement, they become entertainers and traders, hawking these commodities for whatever they need and pilfering what they cannot afford.  They also earn money by telling fortunes and selling (sometimes dubious) information.  To sedentary folk, these numinous vagabonds bring exotic wares, tall tales, services, and skills.  In leaving, they take the orphaned, the lonely, and the worthy to become one with the blood—new members of the Vistani.

Only the Vistani can freely traverse the Land of Mists, crossing into and out of the impenetrable fog that surrounds the Shadowfell's domains of dread.  Vistani give their secrets to no one, and fearing long-reaching retribution, even the dark lords leave the gypsies to their ways.  One notable exception to this rule is the Dukkar Malocchio Aderre.  Although not a dark lord in his own right, Malocchio is the temporal ruler of the domain of Invidia and hunts Vistani in his realm with a passion.  The Vistani have a special relationship with Strahd von Zarovich, dark lord of Barovia, who honors an ancient debt to their kind. 

At age 18, a Vistana is expected to leave the clan for a time.  Vistani call this custom of going into the world, somewhat ironically, the Jaunt.  A Vistani is expected to return from the Jaunt with something valuable for the clan.  If a "jaunter" returns with something the raunie deems worthy, the Jaunt is successful.  For most, this "valuable" is a spouse and, perhaps, children—new blood for the clan.  Successful returns after 3 or 7 years are considered particularly auspicious.  Typical jaunters keep to safe settlements, living and working in mundane ways; however, with their unusual talents, a considerable number of young Vistani become adventurers.

 
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among Acrobatics, Animal Handling, Arcana, Deception, History, Intimidation, Nature, Performance, or Sleight of Hand
Tool Proficiencies: One of your choice, excluding calligrapher's tools, mason's tools, and vehicles (water)
Languages: One of your choice.  Additionally, you know Patterna, the mongrel tongue of the Vistani, and you understand a set of secret signs and symbols used to convey short, simple messages to other Vistani, usually tips and warnings to passing caravans. 
Equipment: A tool (one of your choice), a costume, a gothic trinket, and a pouch containing 15 gp
 
Feature: Fearsome Reputation

Those familiar with the Vistani—and their reputation for retributive curses—generally fear your displeasure.  Commoners will extend you every courtesy and do their utmost to accommodate you.  Additionally, you can get away with minor criminal offenses, such as leaving a tavern without paying for a meal or causing disturbances through raucous or unruly behavior.  Vistani take care not to abuse their reputation by openly committing any graver offenses.  

 
Suggested Characteristics

Successful entertainers have to be able to capture and hold an audience’s attention, so they tend to have flamboyant or forceful personalities. They’re inclined toward the romantic and often cling to high-minded ideals about the practice of art and the appreciation of beauty.

d8 Personality Trait
1 I know a story relevant to almost every situation.
2 Whenever I come to a new place, I collect local rumors and spread gossip.
3 I’m a hopeless romantic, always searching for that “special someone.”
4 Nobody stays angry at me or around me for long, since I can defuse any amount of tension.
5 I love a good insult, even one directed at me.
6 I get bitter if I’m not the center of attention.
7 The first thing I do in a new place is note the locations of everything valuable—or where such things could be hidden.
8 I change my mood or my mind as quickly as I change key in a song.
d6 Ideal
1 Beauty. Through my craft, I make the world better than it was. (Good)
2 Tradition. The stories, legends, and songs of the Vistani must never be forgotten, for they teach us who we are. (Lawful)
3 Creativity. The world is in need of new ideas and bold action. (Chaotic)
4 Greed. I use the tricks of the Vistani in pursuit of selfish gain. (Evil)
5 People. I like seeing the smiles on people’s faces when I perform. That’s all that matters. (Neutral)
6 Fate. Ours is a tale of many threads, woven into one tapestry. (Any)
d6 Bond
1 My instrument is my most treasured possession, and it reminds me of someone I love.
2 When I return from the Jaunt, I want my prize to be the envy of my clan.
3 I seek vengeance on behalf of my family.
4 I idolize a hero of the old tales and measure my deeds against that person’s.
5 I'm guilty of a terrible crime, for which I was branded a Darkling. I hope I can redeem myself for it.
6 I would do anything for the other members of my clan.
d6 Flaw
1 I am cursed. Thus, I will never have peace.
2 I’m a sucker for a pretty face.
3 When I see something valuable, I can't think about anything but how to steal it.
4 I'm horribly jealous of anyone who outshine my handiwork. Everywhere I go, I'm surrounded by rivals.
5 I have trouble keeping my true feelings hidden. My sharp tongue lands me in trouble.
6 Despite my best efforts, I am unreliable to my friends.
 

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