Contains campaign premises and potential spoilers. Ask your GM which hooks are available.
The following player hooks give the characters a reason to be in Barovia. At least one PC should have one of these player hooks at the beginning of the campaign. Optionally, each PC could have the same player hook, uniting them in a common quest to Barovia. Included with each player hook is a suggested background for the player to select at character creation.
Decide which one best suits your character.
Curse of Lycanthropy
You have learned of a werewolf den in the mythical lands of Barovia, where werewolves have learned to control their transformations.
in addition to your background, yIn addition to your background, you gain the Lycanthrope background below.
Lycanthrope
You have been cursed with a virulent strain of lycanthropy that resists remove curse. Skill Proficiencies: Stealth, Perception Languages: Sylvan Equipment: Monster hunter’s pack
| d6 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am not trusting of others and am afraid how they will judge me if they know the truth. |
| 2 | The first things I notice about a new location are the exits—in case I have to escape. |
| 3 | I enjoy the outdoors; fresh air makes me feel invigorated. |
| 4 | I feel empathy for those who are different. |
| 5 | I anger quickly if I see someone mistreat animals. |
| 6 | I constantly am hungry for fresh meat; the smell makes me salivate. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Natural Order. I respect the natural order of things. (Neutral) |
| 2 | Live and Let Live. I do not harm or seek to change others through violence. (Neutral) |
| 3 | Honor. If I dishonor myself, I dishonor those who stand by me. (Lawful) |
| 4 | Independence. I value making my own decisions (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Glory. I must earn glory in battle, for myself and my allies. (Any) |
| 6 | Adventure. I enjoy the journey more than the destination. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I see awful visions of what I may do, and I protect those I care about and try to prevent it. |
| 2 | I owe my allegiance to those who protect me from myself. |
| 3 | No one else should have to be burdened by my hardships. |
| 4 | I am guilty by nature, so I constantly strive to redeem myself. |
| 5 | I would give my life to those who have help save mine. |
| 6 | My anger got someone hurt; I will learn to control my anger. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I lie to others to hide my secret. |
| 2 | I know I have power to change things, and sometimes use it without considering the consequences. I must learn to control my power. |
| 3 | My hatred for the enemy is blinding. |
| 4 | I have little respect for those who are not proven in battle. |
| 5 | I harbor bloodthirsty thoughts on clear nights when I can see the moon. |
| 6 | I am headstrong and stubbornly seek an end to my curse, sometimes making rash decisions. |
Feature: The Beast Within. Each full moon, you turn into a werewolf under the DM’s control for the night. Unless caged or fully restrained with silver manacles, you go on a bloody rampage. Each full moon happens 3 consecutive nights per month. Each morning after a full moon, you must succeed on a DC 10 Wisdom save or suffer a long-term madness until dusk. Each subsequent full moon, the Wisdom save DC increases by 1.
During the waxing gibbous phase (4 consecutive days before the full moon), you must make a Nightmare check (see Nightmare rules). If you succeed you feel a change coming.
Missing Merchant
One of your family members is a merchant who obtains rare items for wealthy noble houses. They left months ago to obtain a case of rare wine from the lands of Barovia. You received a letter saying they had met a group of traders, the Vistani, who helped them locate the wine. Your relative promised to be home in a month. That was six months ago. You have grown concerned, and so has the noble house that hired them to obtain the rare wine. You’re determined to discover your lost relative’s fate in the lands of Barovia. Because of your family ties, in addition to your background, you gain the Guild Artisan background.
Sun Blade Relic
A holy order has called upon you for a quest of utmost importance. An ancient document has revealed the location of a mythical sword called the Sun Blade. This great weapon once belonged to the order and was used in a battle against dark forces centuries ago. The Sun Blade now lies in the mythical lands of Barovia, where it is protected by the Order of the Silver Dragon.
You must find the mythical sword, learn what you can about the Order of the Silver Dragon, and return with the Sun Blade.
In addition to your background, you gain the Acolyte background.
The Temple
The inner circle of your order has shared with you the order’s greatest secret. Long ago, the first members of the order were ancient wizards tasked with protecting the world from darkness. An ancient temple in the snow covered mountains was built to imprison a great darkness, but that darkness has escaped. An elder from the order was sent to find the ancient temple and learn what happened, but that was over a year ago. The order is now sending you to find the temple and the missing elder. You must learn what happened and seal the temple, if you can. The temple lies in the snow-covered mountains of darkest Barovia.
In addition to your background, you gain the Sage background.
Vistani Blood
You recently received a package with a book wrapped in paper and a note that reads as follows:
Dear [character name], I hope you are well in these troubled times. Your mother never told you, but your grandfather was a Vistani, a traveling people from a long-forgotten land called Barovia. His land became my land, and together we traveled the forgotten realm. But a dark shadow hung over Barovia when I became pregnant with your mother, and your grandfather knew it was no longer safe for me and our child. He helped me escape and told me never to look back or speak of Barovia or the Vistani ever again. But it is time you knew the truth about your family. The lands of Barovia have been dark for centuries, yet a faint hope remains. The book in this box will tell you its true history. Read it, know it, and embrace it. I saw in your mother hope to bring peace to a troubled land. That hope flourishes in you as well. Barovia’s time is coming. Your time is coming. A small camp lies near Tser Falls. There, a man called Petra resides. Your grandfather helped raise him and kept him out of trouble. Show him the book—he will know where it came from. He may be a friend when you have none. My time has passed, and I leave you with a heavy heart, knowing what lies ahead. With all my love and hope, Your Grandmother
In addition to your background, your character gains the Haunted One background.
The book is called the Fanes of Barovia.