Ismark Kolyana

"You failed me. But more importantly you failed Ireena. There's no telling what horrors that demon will put my sister through". - Ismark Kolyana, AoR 597, Confronting the Saviours of Barovia after Ireena was captured by Strahd Von Zarovich
Ismark was a young man originally from Barovia Village. He met and briefly assisted the Saviours of Barovia in AoR 597 as they arrived in the valley. Though he cared greatly for the people of Barovia Village, his primary goal was the safety of his sister Ireena, who he'd hire the Saviours of Barovia to protect. Following the downfall of Strahd Von Zarovich in Barovia, Ismark returned to his home village, becoming the Townmaster of Barovia Village like his father before him.

History

Life in Barovia Village

Ismark was born in AoR 568 in the Village of Barovia. His father, Kolyan Indirovich lost his wife soon after, leading Ismark to grow up without a mother. As far back as Ismark could remember, his sister Ireena has been around, making Ismark believe that they were siblings. In reality, Kolyan had adopted Ireena after saving her from a life with the Strazni family. Though it was never revealed to either of them, Ireena is Ismark's adopted sister. Ismark would grow up into a young man, leading as normal a life as one could while in Barovia. He trained himself in speech craft and light combat, just enough to defend his house from roaming creatures.

Death of Kolyan; Meeting the Saviours

In AoR 597, Ismark's father Kolyan was killed during the night. The manor had fallen under attack by dark creatures driven by the will of Strahd, as he wished to claim Ireena for himself. Though Ismark and Ireena managed to defend the manor, they knew they'd never survive another night of attacks. Looking for aid, Ismark headed towards the local tavern; the Blood of the Vine. Inside Ismark would run into an adventuring group, fresh off the road to the east. Desperate, Ismark pleaded with them to help protect the manor and his sister. As payment, Ismark promised the group the right to pick through the manor for valuables, though Ismark knew there was hardly anything left. Led by a man named Colborn Sergeant, the group agreed to help.
Night fell, and the attacks on the manor began anew. With the added help of the adventurer, Ismark and Ireena managed to survive another night. However, Ismark knew they couldn't keep this up, and pleaded with the adventuring group for an escort to Vallaki, a much larger city where Ismark believed his sister would be safe. The group agreed to this, having a mutual hatred of dark creatures and looking for more information on this Strahd figure. Before leaving, Ismark buried his father in grounds of Father Donavich's Chapel.

Vallaki

Ismark and Ireena successfully arrived in Vallaki, due to the aid provided by the Saviours. Thanking the group, Ismark and Ireena headed towards the Blue Water Inn for shelter, as Ismark contemplated the sibling's next move. Only a few days later, the Inn would fall under attack by city guards, the forces led by Izek Strazni. Originally after the Saviours, Izek quickly changed his attention to Ireena, charging towards her as if possessed. Ismark rushed to defend his sister, though he was thoroughly outmatched. Luckily Tanka Barbearian engaged Izek in battle, successfully killing the Captain before he reached Ireena. After this, Ismark and Ireena left the Inn, instead taking refuge in the Church of Saint Andral. 
The church would later fall under siege by Strahd himself, the protective ward around the building secretly destroyed by Tylus Symshade. Ismark and Ireena joined the Saviours of Barovia in the defense of the church, but it was of no use as Strahd himself outclassed all of them. Ismark would helplessly watch as Ireena offered her own life to save Tylus and the remainder of the civilians in the church. Strahd accepted her sacrifice, and left with Ismark's sister. Grief stricken and furious, Ismark blamed the Saviours for allowing Strahd to take his sister. Ismark would return to the Blue Water Inn, falling into drunken depression.

Ravenloft

Two weeks later, Ismark would come across an interesting opportunity; an invitation to Ravenloft for the wedding of Strahd and Ireena. Knowing full well that the invitation was a trap, Ismark would not let even the smallest opportunity to rescue his sister slip away. He traveled to Ravenloft, entering it's dark gates and walking the dangerous halls. Inside, Ismark would be reunited with the Saviours, fellow recipients of invitations to the wedding. Ismark knew they had something planned, and readied himself to rescue Ireena when the time was right. Ismark watched during the ceremony, awaiting his chance, though it would never come. The Saviours struck out at Strahd as he leaned in to kiss his new bride, the room erupting into pure chaos. Ismark watched as Strahd himself guided Ireena through the room, whisking her off deeper into Ravenloft.
After the battle had ended, Ismark pleaded with the Saviours to accompany him into the upper levels of Ravenloft to search. But the group denied him, instead choosing to head for the catacombs, where they hoped to find a way to destroy Strahd. Once again furious with the group, Ismark left and headed into Ravenloft's upper levels alone, searching for his sister. Later, after the destruction of Strahd, the Saviours would discover Ismark's ravaged body lying on the floor lifeless in Ireena's bed chamber. Fortunately, Norgold Dragonsbane was able to raise Ismark from the dead alongside his sister, reuniting the siblings at last.

Return to Barovia Village

At the behest of Colborn Sergeant, Ismark was given The Sunsword and instructed to take it and his sister to Krezk. Obeying Sarge's wishes, Ismark traveled to Krezk, picking up Tylus to guide them along the way. Once he arrived, he was pulled to a pool at the back of the settlement. The Sunsword suddenly leapt from his grasp, traveling straight into the hand of Sergei Von Zarovich as the spirit rose from the water. It was here that Ismark learned that his sister was the reincarnated spirit of Tatyana, the ancient love of Sergei. After a tearful goodbye, Ismark watched as Sergei, Ireena and the Sunsword all rose from the pool together. Their bodies then vanished into the air, their souls heading for Empyrean and an eternity together.
Ismark then traveled back to Barovia Village, where he would quickly be named Townmaster in his father's place. The people of Barovia Village heralded him as a hero, as he had been inside Ravenloft when the vampire was defeated. Ismark would rebuild his childhood home and lead Barovia into a prosperous new future, though he would do so alone.

Basic Information

Race: Human, Male
Ethnicity: Barovian
Occupation: Townmaster
Other Names/Titles: Ismark the Lesser
Home: Barovia Village
Status: Alive

Dates

Born: AoR 568
Death: AoR 597
Cause of Death: Torn apart by an unknown assailant inside Ravenloft 
Resurrection: AoR 597