Vistani

A Vistana, regardless of age, can use an action to utter a curse. The curse targets another creature within 30 feet that the Vistana can see. The Vistana can't utter another such curse before finishing a long rest. The curse is a repayment for an injustice or a slight.

• The target must succeed on a DC 8 + <the Vistana's proficiency bonus> + <the Vistana's Charisma modifier> Wisdom saving throw or become cursed
• The curse lasts until ended with a greater restoration spell, or similar magic
  • It doesn't end when the target dies
  • If a cursed target is returned to life, the curse remains in effect
  • When the curse ends, the Vistana suffers a harmful psychic backlash
  • The amount of this psychic damage depends on the severity of the curse that was invoked
• The Vistana chooses the curse's effect from the options that follow; other Vistani curses are possible. All such effects deal psychic damage to the Vistani who uttered them when they end:  

1. The target is unable to perform a certain kind of act involving fine motor control, such as tying knots, writ­ing, playing an instrument, sewing, or casting spells that have somatic components. When this curse ends, the Vistana takes 1d6 psychic damage
2. The target's appearance changes in a sinister yet purely cosmetic way. For example, the curse can place a scar on the target's face, turn the target's teeth into yellow fangs, or give the target bad breath. When this curse ends, the Vistana it takes 1d6 psychic damage
3. The target gains vulnerability to a damage type of the Vistana's choice. When this curse ends, the Vistana takes 3d6 psychic damage.
4. The target has disadvantage on ability checks and saving throws tied to one ability score of the Vistana's choice. When this curse ends, the Vistana takes 3d6 psychic damage
5. The target's attunement to one magic item (chosen by the DM) ends, and the target can't attune to the cho­sen item until the curse ends. When this curse ends, the Vistana takes 5d6 psychic damage
6. The target is blinded, deafened, or both. When this curse ends, the Vistana takes 5d6 psychic damage

• As an action, a Vistana can target a creature within 10 feet that the Vistana can see.
• This magical ability, which the Vistani call the Evil Eye, duplicates the duration and effect of the animal friendship, charm person, or hold person spell (Vistana's choice), but requires neither so­matic nor material components
• The spell save DC is 8 + the caster's proficiency bonus+ the caster's Charisma modifier. If the target succeeds on the save, the Vistana is blinded until the end of the Vistana's next turn. A Vistana who uses Evil Eye can't use it again before finishing a short or long rest. Once a target succeeds on a saving throw against a Vistana's Evil Eye, it is immune to the Evil Eye of all Vistani for 24 hours

• During one of Strahd's military campaigns, years before he became a vampire, a group of Vistani rescued him after he was wounded in battle

  • They nursed him back to health and delivered him safely home
• The Real Relationship is Respect

  • Instead of being totally in cahoots, Strahd and the Vistani share a mutual respect of one another. The Vistani showed Strahd kindness and saved his life when they certainly didn't have to, impressing Strahd. Strahd made a vow that all Vistani would henceforth be welcome in his land, so long as they did not openly antagonize him. Because Strahd is a man of his word, he's honored his vow over the centuries. This gives the Vistani certain perks in Barovia:
    • The Vistani are not attacked or targeted by the normal threats in Barovia, such as wolves and werewolves
    • The Vistani CAN NOT leave Barovia, just like everyone else. The book often implies that the Vistani can exert a certain level of control over the mists. In my version, this ability lies solely with Strahd himself. However, Strahd would never deny passage to a Vistana that asked to leave. All they need do is say the word and Strahd would open a gate for them through the mists, no questions asked
    • Strahd doesn't hunt for either blood or consorts among the Vistani
      • If a Vistana becomes a vampire spawn, it's because they pursued Strahd, not the other way around.
  • However, this also means that the Vistani don't have any problem with Strahd either. Unless Strahd actively does something to hurt one of their own, the Vistani won't cross him. The PCs can beg and plead, but the Vistani will not act against someone who is not their enemy.
• Otherwise, the Vistani will treat Strahd with the same hospitality that they'd show anyone else

  • They freely give and take information, no matter who's asking for it
  • So long as the info isn't overtly harmful or incriminating, the Vistani believe that sharing and caring go hand in hand