Lyssa Von Zarovich, an alternate history. [Please Review]

[Korumil]

As a note to any of my players that might still read this board, please do not read the following material. Vipera Aspis, this means you.


In my budding RL campaign set in Barovia, circa 751BC, I've decided to use Lyssa Von Zarovich as a major villain. As a result, I felt it appropriate to alter her backstory and statistics to make her both a more functional villain and a less rediculously created NPC. I am of course referring to her supposed methodology of using a ghost to advance her Vampiric Age Category. However, I would like the opinions of my fellow brothers and sisters of the Fraternity in discovering possible plot holes and/or required statistical revisions. Thank you for your time.

Lyssa Von Zarovich
Female Ancient Vampire Aristocrat 2/Shadowcaster 8
Challenge Rating: 16

Born in the year 525BC, Lyssa is a direct descendant of Strahd’s younger brother Sturm Von Zarovich. She was raised to despise her ancestor and at approximately fourteen years of age began searching for a way to strike back at him. By the time she reached the age of twenty her Von Zarovich blood had caused her to become a beautiful and stunning young woman. She decided that the best way to carry out her plans against Strahd was to become a vampire herself. Using her considerable charm and beauty she attracted the attention of a local vampire, while arranging for several trusted servants to dispatch the vermin once she had been changed. Unfortunately for her, immortality did not lend its wisdom to her and most of her plans against Strahd were rushed or foiled by adventurers. This changed in the summer of 742 when she came upon the Pariah Fiend, Inajira. Upon discovering their mutual hatred for Strahd Von Zarovich, they resolved to work together to cause him as much suffering as they were able before causing his demise.

Lyssa, still irresponsible and youthfully impatient, requested the demon grant her more vampiric powers. Inajira, fearing the simple replacement of Strahd with this fickle young woman, agreed but on very specific conditions. Lyssa, having no soul to grant Inajira upon her death bargained the knowledge she had gained of the Demiplane, along with detailed descriptions of Castle Ravenloft and its defenses, at least, it’s defenses two hundred years ago, as well as a single task that was to be granted to Inajira whenever he wished it.

Impulsive and greedy at heart, Lyssa agreed. Immediately a dark ripple moved through the air and swallowed the vampiress, transporting her to the Near Shadow Plane. Ravenloft being a land wholly tainted by evil and necromantic energies, the shadowy reflection of the Demiplane is comprised of a single immense Darkland (an area of the Plane of Shadow that is steeped in Negative Energy). The foul essence of that bleak plane seeped into her very being and altered her from the core, not only advancing her several age categories over the course of a year, but also instilling in her the unwholesome knowledge of Shadow Magic.

Returning from her expulsion to the Near Shadow Plane, Inajira expected her to be rather cross with him. Instead, he was surprised and no small amount worried when she simply thanked him and proceeded along with their plans. It would seem the time Lyssa spent among the shadows has aged her heart and cooled her head. No longer the impetuous child she once was, she now possesses a steely resolve, a keen calculating mind, and the power to manipulate the very shadows as a sculptor works his clay. Strangely, her time in the Near Shadow Plane coupled with her apparent vanity has left her with a curious and violent aversion to candle light reflected through a mirror.

I know, it's a lot of text. Many thanks to those who spent the time to read it all.

[DeepShadow of FoS]

Sounds interesting! I'm not too familiar with the shadowcaster. Is it a prestige class? Can you qualify with just two levels?

Of course, it's an explanation for her powers that many would prefer to the original.

[steveflam]

I think a new outlook on Lyssa is welcome! I am sure everyone has their own idea on her of course That's their right, after all it's our games so we use what we think is good for us

AS someone already mentioned, there are a lot of new faces around here! That's awesome! Good job on attracting new members people!

[Rotipher of the FoS]

Sounds interesting! I'm not too familiar with the shadowcaster. Is it a prestige class? Can you qualify with just two levels?

It's a non-prestige character class from the Tome of Magic. In retrospect, it's also a clear trial version of a 4E spellcaster, much as the Tome of Battle classes were test-runs for 4E martial characters.