Vistani

People of the Mists, of Stories, of Strahd

The Vistani are both a race and a culture. Similar to humans, but with sharper features and more faded skin tones, they possess an unnaturally long life span. Renowned for their storytelling, the Vistani are capable of recounting stories with near perfect memory, and are aided by the their natural ability to create and display images in green fire.
The Vistani are the only known creatures who can pass between The Mists as they please. Very few among even the Vistani themselves know the origin of this power.
They are close allies of Strahd. Legend speaks of how after the Vistani saved him, Strahd spared the people in return for their kindness. Now, many act as traders, traveling to the Material Plane to bring things for Strahd, as well as the rest of Barovia.

Culture

The Vistani are wanderers who live outside civilization, traveling about in horse-drawn, barrel-topped wagons called vardos, which they build themselves. The Vistani are flamboyant. They dress in bright clothes, laugh often, and drink heartily. As much as they feel at home in Barovia, they know they how to navigate The Mists and can leave whenever they please.
Vistani are silversmiths, coppersmiths, haberdashers, cooks, weavers, musicians, entertainers, toolmakers, and horse traders. They also earn money by selling information. They display their wealth openly as a sign of prosperity, and share their good fortune with family and friends.
Each family or clan of Vistani is its own little gerontocracy, with the oldest member ruling the roost. This elder, usually called a Speaker, carries the bulk of the responsibility for enforcing traditions, settling disputes, setting the course for the group's travels, and preserving the Vistani way of life. Vistani elders make all the important decisions, whether by choice or because of their age.
Vistani families and clans are closely knit. They resolve disagreements through contests that end with reconciliatory singing, dancing, and storytelling. They are merciless when they believe they must be. Vistani who knowingly bring harm or misfortune to others of their kind are banished, and are branded a mortu – the worst punishment a Vistani can imagine, even worse than death.

Basic Information

Growth Rate & Stages

Vistani age at the same rate as humans until their adolescence. Vistani are known to live to be over 700 years old.

Lifespan

Unkown

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Skin color ranges from pale, tan, or a faded gray.