Darkonian Kargatane Record
- Known Name: Sandrine Liandra Marie Halloway
- Race: Human, Mordentish
- Apparent Age: Early 20s
- Birthday: 15 January, 559 BC
- Height: 5'4"
- Alignment: Lawful Evil
- Affiliations: Strahd von Zarovich
- Religion: Non-Committed
- Character Class: Rogue
- Place of Origin: Steadwall, Mordent
- Player/Type: NPC
Appearance
Sandrine, a character of captivating allure and dark mystery, epitomizes the essence of a vampiric noblewoman from Barovia. Her piercing green eyes, striking and intense, hold a mesmerizing gaze that can both enchant and intimidate. They are framed by long, thick lashes, and possess a depth that speaks of centuries of wisdom and an insatiable hunger for knowledge and power.
Her hair, a rich chestnut brown, cascades down her back in waves, though it often changes in length, style, and even color, depending on the disguise she chooses to adopt. Sandrine is a master of disguise, seamlessly transforming her appearance to blend into her surroundings. As a spymaster for Count von Zarovich, she frequently alters her look to assume the roles of working girls or other inconspicuous figures, allowing her to eavesdrop on conversations and gather valuable information without drawing attention to herself.
Her signature attire reflects the traditional garb of Barovian nobility, a blend of elegance and practicality, befitting her status and her covert operations. She wears a high-collared, black leather jacket, intricately embroidered with dark red patterns that symbolize her allegiance and bloodline. The jacket is tailored to fit her form perfectly, providing both protection and mobility. Beneath it, she dons a lace-trimmed blouse in a deep burgundy hue, adding a touch of femininity to her otherwise austere appearance. Her skirt, flowing and black, allows for swift and silent movement, essential for her role as a spy.
Completing her ensemble, Sandrine often accessorises with subtle yet significant pieces: a choker adorned with a small ruby, symbolizing her vampiric nature, and a pair of understated earrings that hint at her noble lineage. Her overall look is one of dark sophistication, designed to command respect and instill fear while enabling her to move undetected in the shadows.
Despite her ability to alter her appearance, there are a few constants that mark Sandrine’s true identity: her striking green eyes and her commanding presence, both of which remain unchanged no matter the guise she assumes. These elements, combined with her unparalleled skills in subterfuge and her unwavering loyalty to Count von Zarovich, make Sandrine an indispensable and formidable figure in the dark, treacherous world of Barovia.
Background
Early Life in Steadwall
Sandrine Halloway was born into a family of prosperous innkeepers in the quaint town of Steadwall. The Halloway family was known far and wide for their hospitality, their inn a beacon of warmth and welcome to travelers from distant lands. Their success wasn't limited to the inn; they had established a thriving river trade business that brought wealth and prominence, elevating their status to the verge of nobility. Sandrine, well-educated and possessing a keen mind for business, played an instrumental role in expanding the family enterprises. Her life was a tapestry of joy, ambition, and familial love, woven with the golden threads of opportunity and community respect.
The Fateful Encounter
In 579, the course of Sandrine's life veered sharply into darkness. It was a night like any other when a mysterious stranger arrived at the inn. Count Strahd von Zarovich, a figure cloaked in charisma and an aura of mystery, sought lodging. Sandrine, unaware of the dark power he wielded, leased a house from her family to the enigmatic nobleman. This decision, seemingly innocuous at the time, became the pivot around which her fate turned.
Strahd, intrigued by Sandrine's intelligence and poise, saw potential in her. Over time, he drew her into his sinister web, his dark whispers filling her nights. She was not his first victim in Mordent, but Sandrine was destined to become his most formidable creation. The night he turned her into a vampire marked the end of her mortal life and the beginning of an eternal struggle with her new, dark nature.
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The Transformation and the Alchemist’s Folly
Sandrine's transformation coincided with a catastrophic event in Mordent. The Alchemist, an ambitious figure dabbling in forbidden experiments, inadvertently triggered a chain reaction that pulled the entire domain into the Land of Mists. The precise nature of this event was shrouded in mystery and speculation, but Sandrine knew the truth. Strahd's presence and his machinations were intrinsically linked to Mordent's fate, and she, now bound to him by his blood, bore a share of the responsibility.
When the Apparatus exploded and Mordent was ensnared by the Mists, Sandrine fought alongside Strahd against the Alchemist and the adventurers who sought to undo the calamity. Her newfound vampiric abilities made her a formidable opponent, but they also deepened her sorrow and guilt. She felt a crushing weight of responsibility for the doom that had befallen her homeland and family.
Service to Strahd
Resigned to her fate, Sandrine served Strahd with a grim determination. Over the years, she honed her skills, becoming a master of espionage and intrigue. Her role as Strahd's spymaster earned her the moniker that would follow her through the ages: the Spymaster of Barovia. Although few knew the true identity or name of Strahd's infamous Spymaster, her reputation became a legend whispered in the night: "Do not speak against the Devil Strahd, for his Spymaster and her Vistani agents will hear, and you will meet a dark end!" Though she eventually earned her freedom from his direct control, released from his vampiric bonds, she nonetheless swore an oath of fealty to him - the bonds of duty and necessity kept her tethered to him. With her family gone, and forever slaved to the night, what else was there to do? In a world of darkness and peril, loyalty to Strahd offered a semblance of purpose, however twisted.
Yet, remnants of her humanity persisted. Sandrine grappled with her dual nature: the monstrous vampire she had become and the innocent innkeeper's daughter she once was. This internal conflict fueled her relentless pursuit of duty and power, hoping to find a way to reconcile her past with her present.
The Weight of Immortality
Centuries passed, and Sandrine's existence became an endless twilight, a liminal state between the living and the dead. She watched as the world changed, as mortal generations rose and fell like waves on the shore. Her heart, though no longer beating, was heavy with the echoes of regret and longing. The Halloway family, once vibrant and alive, was now a distant memory to her, lost to the mists of time.
Her duty to Strahd remained paramount, but she could not entirely suppress her yearning for the life she had lost. This inner conflict defined her actions and decisions, adding depth to her role as the spymaster. Sandrine’s network of spies and informants became an extension of her quest for redemption and understanding. Every piece of information, every whispered secret, was a step towards unraveling the mysteries of her existence and the hope of finding a path to salvation.
The Revelation of the Final Halloways
The discovery of Nathaniel and Audrey-Louise Halloway was a revelation that shook Sandrine to her core. These distant relatives, unaware of the true dark fate of their ancestor, represented a fragile link to her lost humanity. Sandrine was torn between the desire to protect these last Halloways and the fear of dragging them into her cursed existence and duty to her sworn lord.
When Nathaniel and Audrey-Louise appeared in Barovia in 754 BC, they were initially unaware of Sandrine's existence. Their arrival in this cursed land set off a chain of events that would intertwine their fates. Through various acts of bravery, the Halloways came into the orbit of Sandrine, who was watching over Barovia as part of her duty to Strahd. At first she assumed they were simply outsider adventurers but, once her investigations uncovered their true identities, she began to keep a closer eye on them.
The Halloway descendants became embroiled in the struggle to free the village of Leiksburg from the corrupting control of a demonic entity known as "the Amaranth" and her cult. In the process, they freed General Stanislav, a Boyar and general of Barovia's army, who had been captured and cursed by the cultists. In gratitude, General Stanislav appointed Nathaniel as the new Burgomaster of Leiksburg. As they were now officially part of the Barovian state political sphere, it meant Sandrine could not only justify paying them extra attention, but in fact it was now part of her responsibility. If the Halloways prospered, so would Leiksburg and, by extension, so would Barovia. As Leiksburg was the final Barovian town on what was once the border to the former region of Gundarak before its Annexation by Strahd into Barovia, and with a sizeable Gundarakite population, the town had the potential to be a poster-child for unification between the hostile relations of the Barovians and the oppressed Gundarakites, or a potentially explosive one. Either way, it gave Sandrine cause to keep a close eye on Leiksburg and, by extension, the Halloways.
Though they mistrusted Sandrine's vampiric nature, Nathaniel and Audrey-Louise reluctantly worked with her and General Stanislav. Together, they foiled the plans of Lyssa von Zarovich, disrupting a dark blood ritual that would have freed Lyssa from a limiting sleep-curse placed by Strahd and potentially given her the power to destroy Strahd and cease control of Barovia. The Halloways' bravery and cunning, combined with Sandrine's ruthless efficiency in eliminating the remaining vampiric leaders of Lyssa's cult, and bringing in troops led by General Stanislav to capture the mortal cultists, led to the cult's utter destruction.
The Last Halloway
Sandrine's relationship with Nathaniel and Audrey-Louise was complex and fraught with tension. While her official duty was to protect Barovia, her true motivation was the desperate need to protect the only family she had left. Her actions were driven by a mix of love, guilt, and a desperate need for redemption. Sandrine’s interactions with her relatives were cautious and veiled, her true nature hidden behind layers of secrecy and half-truths. She sought to guide and protect them from the shadows, torn between her monstrous nature and the remnants of her humanity.
A few months ago, Nathaniel and Audrey-Louise returned to Mordent with the intent of convincing their parents, the last remaining Halloway family members, to abandon their family home and move permanently to their new home in Leiksburg, where it was hoped they would escape the Halloway Curse. However, they found their return was too late - only ghosts and despair remained where their family estate once stood. Their return journey across the river was met with further tragedy as they were set upon by dread Mist Ferrymen, spectral entities that haunt the waterways of the Land of Mists. After she was grievously wounded by a Ferryman during the struggle, Nathaniel gave his life so that his younger sister, Audrey-Louise, could live. His sacrifice left Audrey-Louise as the last living Halloway.
Now the Burgomaster of Leiksburg, Audrey-Louise carries the weight of her brother's sacrifice and the legacy of her family. Her relationship with Sandrine is anything but easy, fraught with mistrust and unresolved tension. Yet, Audrey-Louise is the last remaining link Sandrine has to her fallen family, her past, and the tiny remnant of humanity fighting a losing battle inside her. Sandrine's existence is a constant struggle between the duty to serve Strahd and her deep, unspoken yearning to protect her remaining kin.
Sandrine's internal conflict intensifies as she watches over Audrey-Louise. She is haunted by the echoes of her past and the memories of her family, now long gone. Her desire to protect Audrey-Louise is driven by more than duty; it is a desperate attempt to hold onto the last vestige of her humanity. Sandrine's actions are often misunderstood by Audrey-Louise, who struggles to reconcile the monster she sees with the protector that Sandrine tries to be.
As Audrey-Louise navigates her new role as Burgomaster and the burdens that come with it, she becomes a symbol of hope and resilience for Sandrine. The young Halloway’s determination and strength in the face of adversity inspire a flicker of hope within the ancient vampire. Sandrine begins to entertain the possibility that perhaps, through her kin, she might find a path to redemption.
Their relationship is a delicate dance of mistrust and reluctant cooperation. Sandrine's every move is scrutinized by Audrey-Louise, who cannot fully trust the vampire that claims to be her protector. Yet, in moments of vulnerability, Sandrine reveals glimpses of her former self, the gentle innkeeper's daughter who once walked the streets of Steadwall with dreams in her eyes.
Current Affairs
Sandrine's fate remains uncertain. The tiny remnant of humanity within her fights a losing battle against the darkness of her vampiric nature. Audrey-Louise's presence is a beacon of hope in her eternal night, a fragile link to the life she once knew. Sandrine clings to this hope, even as she continues to serve Strahd and navigate the treacherous politics of the Land of Mists.
In the shadows of Barovia and the haunted lands beyond, Sandrine Halloway remains a figure of intrigue and sorrow. Her story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, even when cloaked in the trappings of undeath. The last Halloway may yet change Sandrine's fate, offering a glimmer of redemption in a world shrouded in darkness.
Personality
Sandrine Halloway is a character of profound depth, constantly torn between her lost humanity and her vampiric nature. Haunted by the choices that led her to become a creature of the night, she carries a deep sense of regret and sorrow. Memories of her past life as an innkeeper's daughter in Steadwall clash with her present reality, creating an undercurrent of sadness that permeates her interactions.
Despite her inner turmoil, Sandrine is fiercely committed to her duties as Strahd von Zarovich's spymaster, a role she executes with cold efficiency. Her dedication to this role serves as both a means of survival and a penance for her perceived sins. This relentless commitment is driven by a complex mix of duty and guilt. Whilst her actions are often harsh, cold, and considered morally vile, she truly believes that she is, ultimately, doing what is best for the realm and, by extension, the people in it - whether they know it or not. She has to be a monster, to protect people from the true monsters and the other threats to Barovia.
Her protective instincts shine through in her interactions with her surviving family, particularly Audrey-Louise Halloway. Discovering her living relatives ignited a spark of hope within her, intensifying her desire to shield them from the darkness that has consumed her. However, her true self remains hidden behind layers of secrecy, driven by fear of causing harm.
Sandrine's personality is marked by a constant internal conflict between her monstrous instincts and lingering humanity. This struggle makes her vulnerable, as she longs for redemption and clings to the hope that her family might help her reclaim some semblance of her former self. Her intelligence and strategic mind are key assets, enabling her to navigate complex situations and relationships with careful precision.
Despite the overwhelming darkness of her existence, Sandrine possesses a resilience that drives her forward. The presence of Audrey-Louise serves as a beacon, reminding her that there is still something worth fighting for. This resilience, intertwined with a faint hope for redemption, defines Sandrine's character, making her a compelling and multifaceted figure in the dark world of Mordent and Barovia.
Other Notes
Dominique's Songs
Audrey's friend and famed bard Dominique Petite has written and performs songs about herself, her allies, and notable legends and events.
They can be accessed here:
Dominique's musical repertoire
Specific songs about Sandrine Halloway:
- "The Spymaster" - Dominique's song about Sandrine (although, wisely enough, Sandrine's true name is never given).
- "The Halloway Curse" - Dominique's ballad about the rise and fall of the Halloway family, whose misfortune began with the disappearance of Sandrine.
Combat Style
When Sandrine enters combat, her demeanor shifts from the composed spymaster to a deadly predator. As a vampire, she wields immense strength and speed, but her agility and stealth make her exceptionally formidable. She employs a blend of overwhelming force and subtle, strategic moves, adapting quickly to her opponents and the situation at hand.
Sandrine's combat style is marked by her inhuman speed and agility. She is a blur on the battlefield, darting in and out of reach, making her incredibly hard to hit. Her finesse with weapons, particularly her magical mithral rapier "Lifedrinker," allows her to strike with deadly precision. Each slash of Lifedrinker not only wounds her opponents but also drains their life force, weakening them significantly. This energy drain can turn the tide of battle, as weakened foes are easier to overpower and more vulnerable to her follow-up attacks. If they die at either Sandrine's literal hands, or her Lifedrinker sword, they are likely also cursed to return from death a few nights later as vampiric spawn under her control. Meaning a viable tactic for her is to assassinate someone insignificant close to a target, turn them into spawn, then set them on her target (likely a former friend, family, or master) and not care if they survive the attack or not (and would likely kill them after they served their purpose).
Mastery of stealth is a typical cornerstone of Sandrine's combat strategy. She can turn invisible at will, allowing her to position herself for devastating surprise attacks. Striking from invisibility, she can deal significant damage before slipping back into the shadows. This hit-and-run tactic keeps her opponents off balance and unable to effectively counter her. In groups, she often uses her invisibility and mind-control powers to dominate the minds of the weak-willed, turning allies against each other and sowing chaos.
Her ability to create an area of magical darkness is another tool in her arsenal. Sandrine can see perfectly in this self-created shroud, while her opponents are usually left blind and vulnerable. She uses this to flank her enemies and deliver sneak attacks, often draining their blood in the process. This tactic is particularly effective in urban environments or enclosed spaces, where the darkness can be absolute and disorienting and cover her activities, such as her nightly preying on mortals for their blood to provide her sustenance, without witness.
Sandrine's arsenal includes a Firedrake pistol, which she commonly uses as an opening volley, especially against clustered opponents. The fiery bullets and the potential to unleash a dragon-like breath attack can catch her enemies off guard, causing significant damage and panic. This initial strike often sets the stage for her to move in and exploit the chaos she has created.
Her supernatural resilience makes her a daunting foe. Sandrine is highly resistant to cold, electricity, and fire, allowing her to take risks that would be fatal to others. She can weather attacks that others cannot, using her fast-healing abilities to quickly recover from injuries. This resilience, combined with her ability to spider climb, gives her unmatched mobility in combat, allowing her to attack from unexpected angles and retreat to safety when needed, going through damaging threats or terrain that would likely seriously harm others or be impossible to follow.
When faced with overwhelming odds or in need of a quick escape, Sandrine can summon swarms of rats, bats, or wolves. These creatures serve as distractions, sowing confusion and creating openings for her to strike or retreat. Her ability to assume gaseous form adds another layer of complexity to her combat style. In this form, she is immune to physical harm and can blend into the mists, making her nearly impossible to track or capture.
Sandrine's ability to dominate minds and her skill in stealth and assassination make her a lethal adversary. Her combat strategy is fluid, shifting between overwhelming force and cunning stealth based on the situation. She is not above using deception, often pretending to be vulnerable to common vampire weaknesses that she has long grown immune to because of her advanced age, in order to lure her enemies into a false sense of security and overconfidence, before striking.
In combat, Sandrine is a whirlwind of death and deception, blending her vampiric powers with strategic cunning. Her ability to adapt and her ruthless efficiency make her a nearly unbeatable foe, one who is always a step ahead and prepared to exploit any weakness. Adventurers must tread carefully, for facing Sandrine is like dancing on the edge of a knife—one misstep can be fatal. The best advice for those who face her is simply to stay out of her way, and pray she has no interest in you. Otherwise, your fate is likely sealed.
Social Style
When dealing with Sandrine, approach with a mix of caution, respect, and empathy. Unless she has given intention for you to do otherwise, address her formally and with politeness, acknowledging her role as Strahd's Spymaster and her sharp intelligence. This respectful demeanor is crucial in earning her cautious trust. Empathy is also key; whilst she will not acknowledge her internal struggle and past losses as being any kind of issue, they are deeply embedded. Showing empathy and respect to her losses, without overt pity, can subtly influence her. Mentioning a personal understanding of loss or redemption, for example, can resonate with her deeply. Attempts to convince her to redeem her soul to the light, will likely annoy her and make her quickly hostile.
Honesty and directness are vital when interacting with Sandrine. While she operates in a world of secrets, she appreciates honesty in others... if nothing else because it's less work for her, and gives her people she knows she can trust (or at least, trust they are not threats or treacherous to her). Be clear about your intentions and avoid deceit, as she can typically see through lies easily. If she assists you in any way, express sincere gratitude - especially as her aid is rare, and typically only done because it benefit her or Barovia. Acknowledging her help shows you do not take her aid for granted and can earn her respect, and she may even assist further in the future, perhaps even when it may not be specifically for Barovia's benefits.
Engage in discussions about strategy and plans to showcase your intelligence and tactical thinking. Sandrine respects those who can think several steps ahead and appreciates a well-thought-out plan. However, avoid dwelling excessively on her connection to Strahd. Acknowledge it, but do not express admiration for him. This can remind her of her bondage and stir negative emotions, or be seen as ambitious - that you may intend on using her as a stepping stone to greater influence and usurp her position.
Despite her internal conflict, and that empathy can be helpful, pity is something Sandrine finds insulting. She sees herself as a powerful figure despite her regrets and struggles. Showing pity undermines her strength and achievement, and can provoke hostility. Similarly, do not attempt to delve too deeply into her past or personal feelings unless she opens up first. Overstepping boundaries can be seen as intrusive and disrespectful.
Avoid moral judgments about her vampiric nature or past actions. Moral superiority or condemnation will only distance you from her and can quickly end any potential negotiation or alliance. Displaying overt weakness or incompetence can also make her lose respect for you. She values strength, competence, and resilience, so demonstrate your capability and resourcefulness.
By understanding and navigating these nuances, you can build a functional and potentially beneficial relationship with Sandrine. Balancing respect, honesty, and strategic acumen while avoiding pity, judgment, and familiarity is key to dealing successfully with this complex and powerful figure.
Signature Equipment
Armour & Weapons
- Spymaster's Robes: This magical silken armour is made of layers of cloth with leather and silk exterior and resembles elegant Barovian noble finery. It its natural form it is black with a corset-like top and jacket, and skirt, with red piping. It has the ability to be glamered at will, so Sandrine can change it to look like any outfit to help her blend in, such as a common Barovian woman's clothing, a maid's outfit, or similar. It has been magically enhanced to make her resistant to magic spells and effects.
- Lifedrinker: Sandrine's signature weapon, her necrotic focus mithral rapier. A deadly and powerfully enchanted weapon in its own right that Sandrine is highly skilled with, but also allows her to use her vampiric energy drain attacks on the living through the sword.
- Firedrake pistol: this flintlock pistol has symbols of flames along its barrel and can be activated at will to make the barrel erupt into flames that do not harm the user, but cause any shots fired to be on fire for extra damage. Additionally, she can instead choose to unleash a cone of fire resembling a dragon's breath, which can easily burn at once multiple targets in close proximity.
Magic Items
- Spymaster's Cloak: This elegant cloak perfectly matches her signature spymaster robes, being sheer black with red piping at the edges. It's impressive and officious nature gives her a bonus to diplomacy and stealth, but also allows her to cast the spells Bane and Sanctuary once per day. Typically, she uses Sanctuary when she wishes to negotiate and there is risk of combat she wishes to avoid, and uses Bane when combat erupts to weaken her enemies.
- Periapt of the Masquerade: Whilst Sandrine is a master spy, there are ways for hunters and those in the know to be able to detect her vampiric nature. This can be inconvenient, especially when she is spying and wishes to blend in. This periapt alters Sandrine's appearance to conceal or alter her undead traits so that she appears fully alive. For example she will lose her naturally palid vampiric pallor and appear normal and warm to the touch, her fangs will not be visible, she appears to blink and breath, and even casts a reflection in the mirror as well as a shadow. She has no control over this and, as illusory affects, they are not real (she cannot, for example, see her own reflection) but illusory effects that others see. Those of strong will may be able to realise they are illusions and see past them - but the average people this is not typically the case of those that this item is intended to conceal her nature from.
- Coffin Hideaway: Like other vampires, Sandrine needs to enter a torporific sleep during the day, during which time she is vulnerable. Coffins can also be tampered with whilst the vampire is away, which can be used to set a trap or cause their death when a fatally wounded vampire returns to its coffin to find it destroyed or inaccessible. This coffin is magically empowered so that it naturally resides in the Ethereal plane, out of reach of most of those who would seek her harm. On command, she can cause it to shift to this plane so she can enter or exit it, upon which it returns to the material plane. This means any would-be hunters would need to be able to see and physically affect things in the ethereal plane to harm her whilst she is sleeping. The few who even know about this item usually consider it overkill considering she resides deep in Castle Ravenloft, and few are those who would be able to even reach her resting place. But she finds it useful for when she has to leave for long periods, such as pretending to be a commoner or Gundarakite rebel to infiltrate a group, which may take several days to do, and travelling hundreds of miles to and from Castle Ravenloft each night is impractical. A rented inn room will suffice, as even those who enter it would not see the coffin whilst it is in the ethereal plane.
Mundane Items
- Powder Horn & Bullets: Though she is not keen on using her Firedrake pistol more than once in a typical encounter, there may be need to do so, or simply reload for the next encounter. She doesn't typically carry a lot of ammunition with her, but a single powder horn and a matching amount of firearm bullets are commonly part of her signature equipment.
- A variety of common and fine clothing: Though her spymaster robes are typically enough for her disguises, sometimes their very magical nature can be an issue if discovered. It is common for her to have a variety of clothes on hand, mostly for use as disguises or appropriateness of situations, such as her courtier's outfit for official functions.
Signature Quotes
- "I may be a monster, but I'm the monster that keeps the witless people of Barovia safe from the REAL horrors of the night, and threats to the realm."
- "I'm not a druid, I'm a fucking vampire!" [said to a half-elf adventurer who, after witnessing her shifting from dire wolf form to human form, mistook her for a druid]
Gallery
Sandrine in her signature Spymaster robes and cloak, standing before Castle Ravenloft