Van Richten: Difference between revisions
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Unfortunately for him, these Vistani had been hired by a gay [[vampire]], a Count Merasmus, to find him a handsome man to turn into his "Bride" (a special kind of vampiric spawn with a telepathic link). They had tried to kidnap a nobleman's son beforehand, which hadn't worked out; that's why the one Vistani was killed. So, they promptly kidnapped Van Richten's son to give him to Merasmus. Vistani are ''dicks''. | Unfortunately for him, these Vistani had been hired by a gay [[vampire]], a Count Merasmus, to find him a handsome man to turn into his "Bride" (a special kind of vampiric spawn with a telepathic link). They had tried to kidnap a nobleman's son beforehand, which hadn't worked out; that's why the one Vistani was killed. So, they promptly kidnapped Van Richten's son to give him to Merasmus. Vistani are ''dicks''. | ||
Needless to say, daddy Van Richten was '''pissed''' when he figured this out, and he chased off after them. Along the way, he crossed into Darkon, where he, by sheer good fortune, ran into the [[lich]]-king Azalin | Needless to say, daddy Van Richten was '''pissed''' when he figured this out, and he chased off after them. Along the way, he crossed into Darkon, where he, by sheer good fortune, ran into its [[Darklord]], the [[lich]]-king Azalin Rex. Amused by Van Richten's tale, and not liking the special snowflake gypsies himself, Azalin gave Van Richten an army of [[zombie]]s for his protection and pointed him on his way. Van Richten soon caught up to the Vistani tribe he was after, surrounding them with his undead minions and demanding they give him back his son. The Vistani's leader, smug bitch that she was, gloated that they already gave him to Merasmus. Furious, Van Richten unleashes the zombies on the Vistani, with their leader cursing him to bring death and misery to his friends before she is torn apart and eaten alive. | ||
Next, Van Richten went after Merasmus, who rebuffed him when he demanded to see his son. But junior Van Richten crept out of Merasmus' mansion that night to see his dad - alas, Van Richten was too late; he was already a vampire. The two shared one last night together, and then Van Richten staked his son and burned him in the rising sun. | Next, Van Richten went after Merasmus, who rebuffed him when he demanded to see his son. But junior Van Richten crept out of Merasmus' mansion that night to see his dad - alas, Van Richten was too late; he was already a vampire. The two shared one last night together, and then Van Richten staked his son and burned him in the rising sun. | ||
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Van Richten went on to become the [[Demiplane of Dread]]'s foremost monster hunter, and his "Van Richten's Guides" serve as the framework for the Ravenloft gamesline's setting-based monster splatbooks. | Van Richten went on to become the [[Demiplane of Dread]]'s foremost monster hunter, and his "Van Richten's Guides" serve as the framework for the Ravenloft gamesline's setting-based monster splatbooks. | ||
Van Richten literally wrote the manual on hunting the [[vampire]], the [[lich]], the [[mummy|ancient dead]], the [[ghost]], the [[therianthrope|werebeast]], the [[fiend]] and even the [[Vistani]] - although, in that one, he actually came around to say that the Vistani really aren't all bad and you | Van Richten literally wrote the manual on hunting the [[vampire]], the [[lich]], the [[mummy|ancient dead]], the [[ghost]], the [[therianthrope|werebeast]], the [[fiend]] and even the [[Vistani]] - although, in that one, he actually came around to say that the Vistani really aren't all bad and you should only hunt them down if they deserve it. | ||
In-universe, Van Richten mysteriously disappeared, but his legacy was taken up by the daughters of one of his friends, the [[Weathermay Twins]]. This is why Van Richten's Guide to the [[Witch]] (and [[Hag]]s) was only published as part of the third "Van Richten's Monster Hunters Compendium", being based on them putting together all of the notes he had found for it and releasing it. They went on to publish their own guides under Van Richten's name, covering the [[Walking Dead]], the [[Shadow Fey]] and The Mists (which was never printed, because the license ran out, but was released online). | In-universe, Van Richten mysteriously disappeared, but his legacy was taken up by the daughters of one of his friends, the [[Weathermay Twins]]. This is why Van Richten's Guide to the [[Witch]] (and [[Hag]]s) was only published as part of the third "Van Richten's Monster Hunters Compendium", being based on them putting together all of the notes he had found for it and releasing it. They went on to publish their own guides under Van Richten's name, covering the [[Walking Dead]], the [[Shadow Fey]] and The Mists (which was never printed, because the license ran out, but was released online). | ||
[[Category: Dungeons & Dragons]] [[Category: Ravenloft]] | [[Category: Dungeons & Dragons]] [[Category: Ravenloft]] | ||
Revision as of 05:31, 3 February 2018
Dr. Rudolph van Richten is a famous NPC from the Dungeons & Dragons setting of Ravenloft, where he serves as the setting's equivalent of Dr. Van Helsing from Dracula.
Originally a humble and content medical doctor with a loving wife and a beloved son, Van Richten's life was changed forever one evening when a band of Vistani burst into his house and demanded he treat one of their members, who was severely injured. In fact, he was too badly injured for Van Richten to save him. As he died, the doctor begged for the Vistani not to hurt him, as he knew and feared their dark magic and vengeful curses, offering to give them whatever they wanted in exchange for mercy.
Unfortunately for him, these Vistani had been hired by a gay vampire, a Count Merasmus, to find him a handsome man to turn into his "Bride" (a special kind of vampiric spawn with a telepathic link). They had tried to kidnap a nobleman's son beforehand, which hadn't worked out; that's why the one Vistani was killed. So, they promptly kidnapped Van Richten's son to give him to Merasmus. Vistani are dicks.
Needless to say, daddy Van Richten was pissed when he figured this out, and he chased off after them. Along the way, he crossed into Darkon, where he, by sheer good fortune, ran into its Darklord, the lich-king Azalin Rex. Amused by Van Richten's tale, and not liking the special snowflake gypsies himself, Azalin gave Van Richten an army of zombies for his protection and pointed him on his way. Van Richten soon caught up to the Vistani tribe he was after, surrounding them with his undead minions and demanding they give him back his son. The Vistani's leader, smug bitch that she was, gloated that they already gave him to Merasmus. Furious, Van Richten unleashes the zombies on the Vistani, with their leader cursing him to bring death and misery to his friends before she is torn apart and eaten alive.
Next, Van Richten went after Merasmus, who rebuffed him when he demanded to see his son. But junior Van Richten crept out of Merasmus' mansion that night to see his dad - alas, Van Richten was too late; he was already a vampire. The two shared one last night together, and then Van Richten staked his son and burned him in the rising sun.
Van Richten went on to become the Demiplane of Dread's foremost monster hunter, and his "Van Richten's Guides" serve as the framework for the Ravenloft gamesline's setting-based monster splatbooks.
Van Richten literally wrote the manual on hunting the vampire, the lich, the ancient dead, the ghost, the werebeast, the fiend and even the Vistani - although, in that one, he actually came around to say that the Vistani really aren't all bad and you should only hunt them down if they deserve it.
In-universe, Van Richten mysteriously disappeared, but his legacy was taken up by the daughters of one of his friends, the Weathermay Twins. This is why Van Richten's Guide to the Witch (and Hags) was only published as part of the third "Van Richten's Monster Hunters Compendium", being based on them putting together all of the notes he had found for it and releasing it. They went on to publish their own guides under Van Richten's name, covering the Walking Dead, the Shadow Fey and The Mists (which was never printed, because the license ran out, but was released online).