The Village of Barovia
A cozy little village set in the middle of hell. The village and surrounding areas have been ruled by Count Strahd for centuries. It is no secret that the master of castle Ravenloft is an evil immortal.
The leadership of the town is currently in question since the latest mayors death. The town is currently split into 2 factions, some support Miskar the lesser despite his current condition the others support the town undertaker Viktor.
The Vistani Clan
The Vistani are a nomadic gypsy tribe that wander the lands of Count Strahd. Led by the enigmatic fortune teller Madam Eva, most of the citizens of Barovia consider the Vistani nothing more than ticksters, con-artists, and rogues.
After the confrontation with Madam Eva a group of the Vistani have shown up in the village of Barovia demanding justice for their slain comrades.
Svalich Woods
The Svalich Wood is a dense forest covered in in a continual rolling mist. The Wood surrounds the village of Barovia and extends along the northwest. The dwarves recently encountered a group of Werewolves/Elves along the outskirts of the woods.
Symbol of Ravenkind
MIskar the Lesser revealed that his family guarded this magic item for many years. He stated that it disappeared from the family manor shortly before his fathers demise. He also implied that it is one of the few items that Count Strahd feared.
During the card reading Madam Eva revealed the Symbols current hiding place as well as how to re-awaken the mighty symbols power:
"Seek it in the heart of the wilds, far from human lands...the symbol is deep in the woods, perhaps guarded by a fey spirit."
"You must bring the symbol home, to the last remaining shred of sacred ground in the defiled castle."
The SunSword
The legendary SunSword was the first known sword with the holy avenger title. A symbol of Paladins everywhere this legendary blade was thought lost to darkness long ago. Recently Random heard that the SunSword may be found in the lands of Barovia, hidden by the evil of Count Strahd.
During the card reading Madam Eva revealed the location and how to re-awaken the SunSword abilities:
"Seek it in the place of blasphemy, where humans plumb their darkest nature...the weapon should be on a hill where the witches gather."
"To wake it, bring it to where the light lies dead, slain by the darkeness that shrouds the castle...seek the tomb of the fallen prince in the deepest recesses of the castle."
The Tome of Strahd
Madam Eva eluded to the exsistance of a tome that detailed Count Strahd's rise to power as well as detailed how he "tied" himself to the land. Thought lost for many years Madam Eva revealed the current resting place of the tome:
"Seek it in the cemetary that clings to the last vestige of innocence ..."
The PC's recovered the tome and have learned much about Strahd's rise to power. Specifically his acquisition of the 3 fane's of power located around Barovia; the swamp fane, the forest fane, and the mountain fane.
Strahd's Weakness
Madam Eva advised that Strahd gained strength by connecting himself to the land...she stated the Tome of Strahd details the means by which the dark prince to accomplished this. Madam Eva eluded to the existence of the Fanes, which Strahd draws part of his power from.
At this point Madam Eva entered a trance and relayed the following"
"To become one with a fane is to become one with Barovia itself. A mortal can only hope to become connected to one fane...attempting anymore can destoroy the soul. To become one with the land, the seeker must hold a vigil over the Fane for a full night with out seeking rest...this must be done after the guardians blood is spilt in the sacred circle."
At this point Madam Eva instructed her followers to attack and revealed her true nature.