The Failed Revolt

Roughly a year before the party arrived in Barovia, a charismatic foreign wizard entered the land and managed to inspire something that almost never happens in Barovia: a peasant revolt against Strahd.

What Happened

The wizard stood at the Vistani camp and rallied people to march on Castle Ravenloft. They marched. When Strahd appeared, the peasant army fled in terror. A few stood their ground and were never seen again. The wizard remained and dueled Strahd personally — the battle flew from Ravenloft's courtyards to a precipice overlooking the River Ivlis falls. The wizard survived boulders. He survived lightning. He did not survive Strahd falling upon him directly. He was thrown a thousand feet into the river below.

Yelena watched the battle herself and climbed down to look for the body. The River Ivlis had already taken him.

Connection to the Order of the Silver Dragon

Sir Laszlo Dornick referred to "Argan Vostol" as his master — the one whose wings were burned to ash. This is almost certainly the same wizard. The Order of the Silver Dragon was the wizard's knightly order, and their base at Argensfold predates his arrival in Barovia.

Known Survivors

• A handful of those who stood their ground were never seen again (possibly dead, possibly undead)
• Doru — Father Donavich's son — was among those who marched to the castle. He returned as a vampire spawn.
• The Order of the Silver Dragon's knights (including Dornick) are now undead revenants, bound by oaths of vengeance for their master's death.

First Referenced

Session 4 (Donavich mentioned it during Doru's backstory)

Expanded

Session 5 (Yelena told the story in full; Sir Laszlo Dornick connected to it directly)