Bastion
Bastion is a remote, forgotten village nestled deep within the mist-shrouded lands of Barovia. Once a prosperous settlement, it is now little more than a ruin, awaiting the hands of adventurers to restore it. Bastion’s most striking feature is the petrified form of Nymeria, an angel of the moon goddess Sulene, encased in stone at the heart of her cathedral atop the hill. Though immobilized, Nymeria remains alive, able to communicate with those who seek her out, offering guidance to rebuild the village and restore her protection to this forsaken land.
Defences
None
Industry & Trade
Logging
Assets
Blacksmithing Tools, Herblism and Alchemy Tools, Wood Mill, and Fresh Water.
Guilds and Factions
Hunter's Lodge
History
Over a century ago, the village of Bastion stood as a beacon of hope in the mist-shrouded lands of Barovia. Protected by Nymeria, an angel of Sulene, and her divine light, Bastion was one of the few places untouched by Strahd’s malevolent rule. The villagers lived in relative peace, unaware of the ancient secret that lay beneath their cathedral—an ancient dungeon known as the Endless Paths, whose depths held forgotten power and mysteries.
Strahd, ever seeking greater power and control, set his sights on Bastion and its hidden secrets. He desired entry into the Endless Paths, believing the dungeon would grant him dominion over forces even older than himself. However, Nymeria stood in his way. The angel, a vigilant protector of both Bastion and the sanctity of the Endless Paths, refused to allow the Dark Lord passage.
Strahd did not come alone. With him was his most feared consort, his Red Bride—a powerful and ancient vampiress who wielded magic as dark and terrifying as Strahd’s own. Together, they descended upon the village, leaving a trail of death and destruction in their wake. Strahd himself sought to bypass the angel’s barrier, but Nymeria, using the last of her divine strength, sealed the entrance to the Endless Paths. Enraged, Strahd unleashed his wrath upon Bastion, turning its cobbled streets into a battlefield as his forces slaughtered the villagers.
Nymeria held fast, her power keeping Strahd from his goal. But it was the Red Bride who ultimately changed the fate of both Nymeria and the village. Unable to overpower the angel directly, the Red Bride used her dark sorcery to curse Nymeria, binding her to the same curse that grips all of Barovia. The once-glorious angel was turned to stone, her wings frozen mid-sweep, her face locked in a grim determination. Though her body was petrified, her spirit remained alive, still guarding the entrance to the Endless Paths.
With Nymeria incapacitated, Strahd believed victory was within his grasp. Yet, the angel’s final act of defiance held true—the entrance to the Endless Paths remained sealed, inaccessible even to Strahd. Furious but unable to breach the barrier, Strahd left Bastion in ruin, its villagers dead or scattered to the winds. The village was swallowed by the mists, forgotten by most, while Nymeria, now a statue, stood watch over the entrance she had protected with her very essence.
For over a hundred years, Bastion has remained abandoned, a ghost of its former self. Nymeria’s curse binds her to the village, and though she is unable to act, she continues to communicate with those who seek her out. Her only wish is to see the village restored and the Endless Paths protected from Strahd’s grasp once more. The curse of the Red Bride, however, remains a powerful force, and any attempt to undo it will require the players to confront the darkness both above and below the village of Bastion.
Architecture
Traditional Barovian
Geography
Bastion lies deep within the ancient forests of Barovia, far removed from the beaten paths and the prying eyes of Strahd's domain. The village is nestled in a thick woodland expanse, where towering oaks and pines stretch toward the perpetually overcast sky. The dense canopy creates a dim, shadowy atmosphere, with only faint beams of sunlight filtering through the mist that constantly clings to the land.
The mists surrounding Bastion are ever-present, shifting like living things, hiding the village from the outside world. They swirl through the trees, obscuring vision and disorienting travelers. These mists act as both a blessing and a curse—they keep Strahd’s agents at bay, but they also make Bastion difficult to find, even for those who know of its existence. The village feels isolated, as if it exists on the edge of the world, untouched by time and lost in a sea of fog.
The forest itself is thick and foreboding, with gnarled roots and overgrown underbrush. The oaks and pines that surround Bastion are ancient, their twisted branches intertwining to form a near-impenetrable barrier around the village. The woods are home to more than just wildlife; dark creatures, drawn to the cursed land, roam the forest. Howls of wolves echo in the distance, and the occasional eerie rustle of leaves betrays the presence of something watching from the shadows.
Despite the gloom, the land around Bastion holds a certain wild beauty. Small streams weave through the forest, feeding into a slow-moving river that winds its way past the village’s western edge, near the old lumber mill. The soil is rich, though untended for years, and could support crops and gardens if the village were ever restored to its former glory.
Surrounded by these towering trees and the oppressive mist, Bastion feels isolated but defensible. The natural landscape provides cover and protection, though it also means the village is vulnerable to the unknown horrors lurking just beyond the tree line. As the players begin their work to rebuild Bastion, the surrounding forest will pose both a challenge and a resource, offering both threats and the raw materials needed to return the village to life.
Climate
Overcast and damp
Natural Resources
Forest
Type
Village
Population
16
Included Locations
Characters in Location
Inn, Healer's Cottage, and Well.