Portrait
Who they are
A wealthy Vallakian matriarch and an outspoken opponent of the Baron Vallakovich’s rule.
What the party knows
- Lives in a large manor called Wachterhaus on the north side of Vallaki
- Has two young adult sons—Nikolai and Karl—who are known to be troublemakers around town.
- Also has a teen daughter, Stella, who has been recently kept cloistered on the house grounds for mysterious reasons.
Personality
A pragmatic survivor who bends like the willow rather than breaking like the oak. Cold and cordial in public, Lady Wachter reveals genuine warmth and fierce maternal devotion to those she trusts. She views faith in Ezra as acceptance of reality rather than hope for salvation, and considers accommodation with Strahd’s rule as the only path to preserving what matters most: her children and her community.
Where we’ve seen them
- Mentioned by Urwin Martikov in Session 11
- Invited you to dinner at her house via courier in Session 12 - Into the Bone Zone
- Session 14 - Dinner and a Show (Neyavr 4, Evening) - Hosted the party for dinner at Wachterhaus. Questioned each party member about their backgrounds and capabilities. Shared the history of the Vallakovich family and Izek Strazni’s rise to power. Recounted the tale of Berez as a warning against defying Strahd. Explained her philosophy as a follower of Ezra, emphasizing pragmatic survival over hopeful resistance. Revealed her conspiracy to depose Baron Vallakovich and asked the party to assassinate Izek Strazni in exchange for silvered weapons, safe passage for the refugees, and compensation. Learned the truth about Stella’s condition when the party explained her soul was trapped in the Ethereal Plane. After lowering the protective circle around Wachterhaus, Stella’s spirit proved her presence with a peony and teacup shards arranged in a crescent (Luna’s mark). Wept upon confirming her daughter’s fate. Promised to create a binding circle to trap the night hags of Old Bonegrinder if the party could obtain their true names. Gave Varnish Gothorn her personal Tarokka deck as a gesture of faith. Modified the protective circle to allow Stella’s spirit to freely visit Wachterhaus.
- Session 15 - Killing Izek (Neyavr 5) - Ernst Larnak delivered the poisoned wine and Izek’s schedule to the party on her behalf, enabling the successful assassination of Izek Strazni.