The Fang of the Nosferatu-Ravenloft Lore

#dnd #lore #curseofstrahd

Today is a special video as it is part of tandem upload.

I have released this video the same time @HouroftheRaven has released his video on Paridon and Hour of the Knife

His channel and video can be found here!

   • Explorer's Guide to Paridon - Ravenlo...  

The fang of the Nosferatu

Five bodies found oozing life in the back alleys of Paridon, we shall call them by name.

Victim 1
Beatrice Bump

Victim 2
Annie Smitters

3
Sandra Bartello

4
Mariel Rigsby

5
Charolette O'Doul

All lives ended by the same weapon. A cursed blade with an unquenchable thirst for the very fluid of life. A blade so dangerous it can cause its wielder's mind to descend into madness if its blood lust is not satiated.

But why these victims? Why now? And what powers can it bestow that would make the risk of madness worth it?

Well ive locked the shudders, lit the oil lamps, and retrieved my favorite top hat. so join me as I traverse the cobblestone streets of Paridon in search of The Fang of the Nosferatu

Fair warning. Tonights tale will deal specifically with the history and story of the object at hand. But regarding Paridon, I will not be going into details on the domain…i know…tragic. But ive been taught you cannot go through the mists alone. So to help me, help you, learn, all you can about the setting that houses this instrument of deth. Ive enlisted the help of my friend Gabriel Janson at hour of the raven. He has released a companion video to this one where he will tell you all you will ever need to know about this shadowy stand in for victorian london, and the adventure that was made specifically for it. The Hour of the knife.

That video is out now so as soon as you have gotten what you need from me, go spend some time with him. You wont regret it.

But while your here…lets get dangerous

A blade. Sharp. Quite. Elegant? For centuries when you have wanted to get the job done and done right you picked a weapon of stealth. Guns for show, knives for a pro. So, it would seem, was the mindset behind the wielder of the subject of tonights tale. The Fang of the nosferatu.

Made from hardened steel, covered in ruby stained etched symbols. Thoes who looked upon the blade would swear the etchings were written in blood. A vampires face is emblazoned on the face of the guard. His eyes likewise red with the taint of crushed gems. Or maybe something more sinister.

Scholars question whether or not the blade has retained a consistent appearance, or if at some point, someone like Urik von Karkov would have looked upon a different representation of the weapon when he was in its possession. But we will come back to its sorted history.

Why these 5 people? Do the victims stop there? To find the answer to that, we will have to illuminate the secrets of the knifes powers.

Throughout its history, like the land it inhabits, it has gone through some changes. But no matter who held it or when, the fang has always conferred the ability to change shape upon its user. Whenever he or she wishes, they may assume the form of a bat or a wolf. Just like a vampyre would. When doing so the blade will merge with the users body. Disappearing into the flesh of the transformed, while the rest of their clothing falls to the floor. There is no limitation to the amount of times this may be performed. As long as the wielder holds the knife, the transformations may take place.

As a weapon, this ornate horror cuts like a magical dagger, causing double the damage of a normal dagger. But that makes sense, since this is no normal dagger.

By far the greatest draw to this weapons power lies in the ability to confer 13 years of immortality to its master. A siren song that most cannot resist. From the first time you hold the Fang, an evil voice seeming to come from the blade itself will whispers its desires to you. Its price for conveying to you the ultimate upper hand. Everlasting life. And the price is high.

Most who attempt to pay it do so at the cost of their sanity. Rapidly falling into madness. It would be simple to say that the knife requires blood. Thats true enough. The blade does require the absorption of blood at least once per day. Any living creature will do but it must be intelligent. Thats important. Cause whats more important is what it really craves. Something that only an intelligent creature can provide. Terror. Fear. Emotions.

Nosferatu also acts as a conduit for the victims emotions. Drawing out its pain and terror and siphoning it into the mind of the wielder. There is only 2 ways to avoid descending into madness upon its use.

Wear a glove made from the skin of a shape changing creature, or as in the case of our murderer, be addicted to the feeling of pain and suffering.

#dnd #Dungeonsanddragons #ravenloft #vanrichten'sguidetoravenloft #Ravenloft #domainsofdread #ravenloftlore #dungeonsanddragons
#dungeonsanddragons #loreravenloft #vanrichten'sguidetoravenloft #ravenloftlore #curseofstrahd #domainsofdread