Pelanil's Conversation with Menigal

What shadow in the mist said when Pelanil died (Pelanil's NDE):

In the veil between worlds, you stand at the precipice, Pelanil. A soul untethered, seeking life's return. Strahd sought Vampyr, yet found me, Menigal, the Departed. I offer resurrection, but it comes with a cost: to unshackle Barovia from its tyrant, to shroud it under your rule as my harbinger. Your path will be shadowed, your visage touched by the chill of death. Among the living, yet among the dead you shall be. This pact, a dual-edged gift. Choose wisely, for once bound, the pact shall weave through your very essence, entwining your fate with mine.

• After Pelanil agreed, he also explained that in order to fly under the radar, he's making him look and act like a vampire
  • Strahd will believe that Vampyr was the one responsible for Pelanil's return
  • Only Vampyr can offer truly vampiric boons, but Menigal can offer his own so that they seem vampiric

Summary:

• Strahd came to the Amber Temple to ask Vampyr to revive Pelanil
  • Strahd thought he was talking to Vampyr, but he was actually talking to Menigal, the Departed
• In exchange for his life, Pelanil made a pact with Menigal:
  • Destroy Strahd and Rule Barovia as Menigal's Champion
• Menigal can't offer truly vampiric boons
  • but he's doing what he can to make Pelanil look and act like a vampire so that Strahd doesn't get wise

Extra loose ends

• I'll probably explain this for the group in the session, but the Dark Powers each feed on specific types of souls
  • Vampyr collects souls who die from exsanguination (extreme blood loss)
  • Menigal, the Departed: collects those who died unnaturally (combat, magic, etc) (overlaps with Vampyr)
• Menigal wants you to collect souls for him and eventually overthrow Strahd so that you have more soul-leverage
• I'll probably tell the group that he wants you to collect souls, but I won't tell them that your part of the pact was to overthrow Strahd
• In terms of spellcasting, Menigal can be your new deity