The Vistani

The Vistani were a group of wayfarers located in the Valley of Barovia. Typically, the group moved place to place, never staying at one location for a large amount of time. The Vistani were a wise and mysterious folk, many of them possessing magical abilities that they put to good use, either for the benefit or detriment of others. 
Most of the Vistani in Barovia were allied with Strahd Von Zarovich before his destruction. Often using their powers to cross between dimensions to serve the Vampire Lord, occasionally bringing new victims into the Plane of Dread from across Naneth. After Strahd's defeat, many of the allied family groups split, master-less and afraid of retribution from other Barovian inhabitants. Other groups, such as the group from Tsar Pool, remained together under strong leadership from Madame Eva.

History

Allegiance to the Von Zarovich Family

During the Age of Fire, Barovia found itself under invasion from a mercenary force commanded by Strahd Von Zarovich. This force successfully took Barovia, instilling themselves as the new rulers. While most of Barovia protested against this, the Vistani recognized an opportunity to ally themselves with power. Offering themselves as vessels of information against Von Zarovich enemies, the Vistani managed to confirm an uneasy alliance with the valley's new-found rulers. In return, the Von Zarovich family would allow the Vistani to live as they pleased, often overlooking petty crimes and more serious offenses against other Barovians.
Even during the Von Zarovich downfall, and the rise of Strahd as a Vampire Lord, the Vistani managed to keep themselves in the good graces of whoever would rule from the seat of Ravenloft. This continued even after Barovia's transformation into The Void.

Crossing the Mists

Now firmly under the rule of Strahd, the Vistani offered their most sacred secret to the ruler of Ravenloft; the magical ability to easily cross the threshold of The Void and back into The Mortal Plane. Though Strahd could not use this power himself, he would bid the Vistani to serve him in this way, allowing them to occasionally leave Barovia and return to Atmora. In exchange, Strahd expected the Vistani to return with captives; lost wanderers or adventurers that Strahd would inflict sick games upon. This tradition continued for over a century, with the Vistani group currently led by Arrigal and Vindril being the most loyal to Strahd's cause.
Madame Eva and the Tsar Pool encampment did not often take part in these activities, instead choosing to provide Strahd with information about the goings-on in the valley. Madame Eva was greatly respected, perhaps even by Strahd, as she was surely once of the wisest figures in Barovia. The Tsar Pool Vistani were mostly indifferent to the activities of the vampire lord, though did well to not cross him.

Arrival of the Saviours

In AoR 597, Vindril would lead a group of adventurers into Barovia at Strahd's behest. This group would eventually become known as the Saviours of Barovia, and would go onto defeat Strahd himself. As a whole, the Saviours and Vistani had many run-ins, the two groups occasionally engaging in combat, while other times holding out with an uneasy peace.
Madame Eva and the Tsar Pool Vistani would meet the Saviours first. Madame Eva herself provided the group with a reading of fates, foretelling the group's eventual defeat of Strahd and how they may go about such a task. Perhaps without this initial spurning from Madame Eva, the Saviours may not have been successful against Strahd, and would have merely become another casualty of the vampire's machinations. Whether this was Madame Eva's goal from the beginning is not known. While present at Tsar Pool, the Saviours caught view of Vindril, their captor. Enraged, they engaged in combat with Vindril, quickly turning the entire camp against them. The Saviours barely managed to escape with their lives, and made permanent enemies at the Tsar Pool encampment.
Later, the group would rescue a young woman named Arabelle; the daughter of the Vistani Captain Arrigal. They returned Arabelle to the Vistani camp outside Vallaki, earning Arrigal's respect in the process. Ironically, the Saviours had made better friends with the Vistani group that was actually allied with Strahd, instead of the more friendly Tsar Pool encampment. Later, the group would find out that Vindril himself was another Captain of the Vallaki group. The Vallaki group would directly aid Strahd during his attack on the Church of Saint Andral.
During Strahd's Wedding to Ireena Kolyana, the Vallaki group once again aided the vampire, serving as bodyguards and soldiers within Ravenloft. The Saviours would attack Strahd during the wedding, causing the two groups to clash once again. This time, Vindril would be killed before escaping, leaving Arrigal as the sole leader of the Vallaki Vistani.

Post Strahd

After the destruction of Strahd Von Zarovich at the hands of the Saviours, most of the Vistani at the Vallaki camp would quickly split, fleeing into unknown parts, disappearing into Barovia's population, or even leaving the Plane of Dread completely. Alternatively, the group at Tsar Pool would remain mostly intact, led through these uncertain times by Madame Eva. Most Barovians had heard of her power, and as such did not wish to pursue retribution against such a figure. Though now greatly diminished from previous numbers, the Vistani of Barovia continued to live on.

Notable Members

• Madame Eva: The leader of the Tsar Pool encampment. Madame Eva was greatly respected within the ranks of the Vistani, and even beyond. Most in Barovia would hear of her wisdom and power at some point during their lives.

• Vindril: One of the captains of the Vallaki Vistani camp, Vindril was also one of Strahd's most trusted agents. It was Vindril that would lead the Saviours of Barovia to Strahd's realm, eventually leading to his master's destruction.

• Ezmerelda d'Avenir: A one time member of Madame Eva's camp, Ezmerelda had left the Vistani many years prior, even venturing back into Atmora. It was there that she would meet Rudolph Van Ritchen, a vampire hunter that would take Ezmerelda under his mentorship.

• Rahadin: Strahd Von Zarovich's closest ally, Rahadin was a one time member of the Vallaki Vistani Camp. He was one of the Dusk Elves that had called this camp home in the past, though now he lived within Ravenloft.

• Arrigal: The head of the Vallaki Vistani camp, Arrigal was a staunch ally of Strahd. Luckily, he would manage to escape the wrath of the Saviours and disappeared after the destruction of Strahd. This may have been in part to Arrigal's curious peaceful treatment of the Saviours, who had previously garnered his respect by saving his daughter Arabelle from a kidnapping.

Basic Information

Type: Nomads, Wayfarers
Base of Operations: Barovia
Gods/Deities: Shar, Virdi

History

Formed: Unknown (Likely at some point during the Age of Fire, during the Von Zarovich rule)
Allegiances: Strahd Von Zarovich 

Membership

Notable Members:

• Madame Eva
• Vindril
• Ezmerelda d'Avenir
• Arrigal
• Rahadin (Formerly)