Vistani
Vistani are unique among the people of Barovia in that
they can leave that cursed land whenever they please.
And yet, even more remarkably, they choose to live in
Barovia, most of the time. Their reasons for this are
manifold: some of them just never knew any other life,
some serve Strahd, and some work against Strahd
and don’t want to abandon the people of Barovia. The
Vistani are a unique culture with strong traditions,
rooted in their unique position as travelers between
Barovia and the other planes.
Families and Clans
Vistani usually grow up in tight-knit families, which are embedded into wider—often sprawling—clan structures. Vistani have, throughout their varied history, often been ostracized by other cultures, always the foreigners, even in the lands they grew up in. This is the main reason they have learned to rely on each other to such a great extent. It is not that they are isolationist or aloof by nature; it is a lifestyle pressed on them by circumstance. Vistani typically thrive in their families, and stick together through good and bad. As in any family, there can be conflict, but the Vistani take care of their own and resolve any conflict as amicably as possible. Each Vistani family is part of a larger clan structure called a "tasque". These tasques form a sort of extended family and culture that each Vistana is a part of. One who is familiar with Vistani culture can often discern which tasque a Vistana is from within a few minutes of meeting them.
Glamorous Wanderers
Many Vistani wander away from their families, be it alone or with groups of friends or found families, at least for some periods of their lives. Some Vistani stay away from their families forever, finding happiness among foreigners, while others return home eventually, happy to fall back into the loving arms of their blood relatives. A proud Vistana is often instantly identified, standing out with their confident demeanor and bold appearance. However, some people and cultures still harbor prejudice against Vistani. As such, some Vistana will choose to blend in to the local culture rather than stand out while traveling. Many people are enticed by the reputation of Vistani as entertainers and craftspeople, and by their knowledge of magic and lore, and treat them as honored guests. Anyone who spends time with a Vistana, and has an open mind, usually learns that the negative prejudices against Vistani are not true at all.
Magic and Mystery
There is an air of mystery surrounding the Vistani. Some of it is carefully cultivated by the Vistani to keep themselves safe, and some of it is attributed by superstitious outsiders. It is true, however, that some Vistani have an uncanny knack for magic and even a gift for supernatural foresight. Regardless of their actual abilities, Vistana often make a living as entertainers, amazing their audiences with their sheer skill, magic tricks, and true magic alike. It is thus difficult to tell when a Vistana is actually performing real magic and when they are using carefully crafted phantasmagoria.
Families and Clans
Vistani usually grow up in tight-knit families, which are embedded into wider—often sprawling—clan structures. Vistani have, throughout their varied history, often been ostracized by other cultures, always the foreigners, even in the lands they grew up in. This is the main reason they have learned to rely on each other to such a great extent. It is not that they are isolationist or aloof by nature; it is a lifestyle pressed on them by circumstance. Vistani typically thrive in their families, and stick together through good and bad. As in any family, there can be conflict, but the Vistani take care of their own and resolve any conflict as amicably as possible. Each Vistani family is part of a larger clan structure called a "tasque". These tasques form a sort of extended family and culture that each Vistana is a part of. One who is familiar with Vistani culture can often discern which tasque a Vistana is from within a few minutes of meeting them.
Glamorous Wanderers
Many Vistani wander away from their families, be it alone or with groups of friends or found families, at least for some periods of their lives. Some Vistani stay away from their families forever, finding happiness among foreigners, while others return home eventually, happy to fall back into the loving arms of their blood relatives. A proud Vistana is often instantly identified, standing out with their confident demeanor and bold appearance. However, some people and cultures still harbor prejudice against Vistani. As such, some Vistana will choose to blend in to the local culture rather than stand out while traveling. Many people are enticed by the reputation of Vistani as entertainers and craftspeople, and by their knowledge of magic and lore, and treat them as honored guests. Anyone who spends time with a Vistana, and has an open mind, usually learns that the negative prejudices against Vistani are not true at all.
Magic and Mystery
There is an air of mystery surrounding the Vistani. Some of it is carefully cultivated by the Vistani to keep themselves safe, and some of it is attributed by superstitious outsiders. It is true, however, that some Vistani have an uncanny knack for magic and even a gift for supernatural foresight. Regardless of their actual abilities, Vistana often make a living as entertainers, amazing their audiences with their sheer skill, magic tricks, and true magic alike. It is thus difficult to tell when a Vistana is actually performing real magic and when they are using carefully crafted phantasmagoria.
"We had a hard long day on the road behind us, and
were desperately looking for a place to camp among this
inhospitable wilderness. The howling of the wolves had
followed us the whole day, and we could not find any
spot that seemed defensible. This is when we noticed the
campfires through the trees—and very different sounds
echoed through the woods: music, singing… and bright
laughter! It’s dangerous to approach any other travelers
in these lands—you never know if you’re about to wake
up with a knife in your back if you share a camp with
strangers—but we were desperate enough to chance it.
As we slunk from the trees and into the brightly lit
clearing, the music stopped for a beat--but then the
people in front of us were all smiles and open arms,
waving us closer and pressing mugs of mulled wine
into our freezing hands. Every inch of their wagons was
carved with cheery patterns and painted in bright, colorful
scenes. Their dashing clothes and cheerful manner
seemed to push back all the darkness around us and
warmed our hearts more than the brightest campfire.
We knew, of course, who they were in an instant, even
though none of us had ever exchanged so much as a nod
with their folk before--Vistani. I know not if the old tales
to frighten children still have some truth to them; all I
can say is that they took us in as if we were their own,
that night. We shared food and stories, and I know not if
all I saw that night was trickery or true magic--it did not
seem to make much difference. When we awoke the next
morning, however--they were gone. Wagon and horse;
men, women and children--gone, as if the wind had
scattered them like a handful of leaves. I cannot account
for it to this day, and it does strike me as creepy, I cannot
lie. But I know this--if you ever encounter a Vistana, you’ll
not likely forget them soon."
— Habalt Grent, Barovian fur trader
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