General Stanislav (Ravenloft)

Darkonian Kargatane Record

• Known Name: Natalia Stanislav
  
• Race: Human, Barovian
  
• Apparent Age: Mid-30s
  
• Birthday: 8 August, 719 BC.
  
• Height: 5'11"
  
• Alignment: Lawful Good.
  
• Affiliations: Barovia.
  
• Religion: Non-Committed.
  
• Character Class: Fighter (Seasoned Commander).
  
• Place of Origin: Fort Stanislav, Barovia.
  
• Player/Type: NPC

Appearance

Natalia Stanislav's appearance is as striking as her prowess in battle. She has long, flowing hair that cascades down to her shoulders, a rich brown that catches the light, adding to her formidable presence. In battle, her hair is often tousled and wild, a stark contrast to the precise and controlled movements of her fighting style. When not in combat, she styles her hair in a refined ponytail, revealing the noble grace beneath her warrior exterior.

Her face is marked by a fierce determination and a noble bearing. High cheekbones and a strong jawline frame her features, giving her an air of both beauty and authority. Natalia's eyes are a piercing green, filled with a steely resolve and a hint of the hardships she has endured. They can be both captivating and intimidating, capable of conveying deep empathy or unyielding resolve. Her lips, often set in a firm line, soften in moments of quiet contemplation or when addressing those she cares for, revealing a softer side to her otherwise stern demeanor.

Natalia's complexion is fair, her skin smooth yet bearing the faintest traces of scars from past battles, each mark telling a story of her bravery and resilience. Despite the hardships of her life, there is a certain elegance to her appearance, an underlying nobility that shines through whether she is in her battle armor or her courtly attire. This duality of fierce warrior and refined noblewoman makes Natalia Stanislav a truly captivating figure.

In her signature armour, Natalia is a striking and formidable figure, embodying both grace and strength. Her family legacy armor showcases a blend of practical elegance and lethal capability, marking her as a warrior of exceptional prowess. Under her armour, Natalia has a somewhat slender form, a departure from the bulkier frames often seen among ethnic Barovian humans. This lithe build can be deceptive, as beneath the carefully crafted plates and chainmail lies a body honed to peak physical condition. Natalia's muscles are toned and powerful, a testament to rigorous military training and disciplined lifestyle.

When not clad in her battle armor, Natalia adopts the attire befitting her noble status. She often wears a courtier's outfit common to Barovian nobility, which includes a black dress and corset with red piping. This ensemble is complemented by a cloak that is black on the outside and red on the interior, symbolizing her connection to the Barovian elite. In these moments, her hair is styled more elegantly, typically tied back in a refined ponytail, showcasing her ability to transition seamlessly from the battlefield to the court.

Natalia's presence commands respect and attention, whether she is in armor or courtly attire. Her physical appearance, marked by a fit and toned physique, speaks volumes about her dedication to both her martial and noble duties. She embodies the duality of a warrior and a noblewoman, capable of striking down her enemies with precision and grace while maintaining the poise and decorum expected of Barovian aristocracy.

Background

Natalia Stanislav hails from an ancient Barovian noble family, the Stanislavs, whose history is steeped in valor and military prowess. The family motto, "To a valiant heart, nothing is impossible," has been a guiding principle for generations. The Stanislavs have always been at the forefront of Barovia's defense and expansion, their legacy dating back to a time before Barovia was drawn into the Dread Realm.

As hereditary landholding nobles, or Boyars, the Stanislavs have long held sway over West Barovia, operating out of the formidable Fort Stanislav. Their lands once bordered Gundarak, and the family played a crucial role in repelling invasions. When Barovia annexed Gundarak, Natalia's father led the charge, securing significant victories for Count Strahd. Following her father's murder by Gundarakite rebels after the annexation, Natalia inherited the Boyar title, becoming the guardian of the former Gundarak population centers of Zeidenburg, Teufeldorf, and the village of Leiksburg in the Balinok Mountains.

Despite her noble title, Natalia identifies first and foremost as a military leader. Rising through the ranks of the Barovian army, she demonstrated strategic brilliance and unyielding loyalty to Count Strahd. Her promotion to General was a testament to her capabilities, and she now commands significant respect and authority within the Barovian military.

About six months ago, Natalia's life took a dark turn when she investigated unsettling reports from her scouts in Leiksburg. Her inquiries led her into a web of corruption woven by the demon-worshipping cultist Burgomaster. To protect his master's secrets, the Burgomaster had Natalia cursed by a demonic entity known as the Amaranth, rendering her feeble-minded and erasing her memories. Believing herself to be the Burgomaster's simple-minded daughter, Natalia became his plaything, while the villagers either accepted the lie or were too fearful to speak out.

Salvation came in the form of a group of heroes who uncovered the truth and banished the Amaranth. Among them was Nathaniel Halloway, a dashing adventurer who captured Natalia's heart, despite her feeble-mindedness. Their love affair blossomed, and led to the heroes investigating the strange goings-on, which in turn resulted in their banishing the Amaranth from Leiksburg and destroying her cult. With the curse broken, Natalia regained her memories and her former self. Grateful to the heroes and aided by Strahd's Spymaster, she returned to Fort Stanislav, reclaiming her rightful place.

Although her memories had returned, Natalia recalled her time with Nathaniel. It was a little strange at first, but they soon discovered that their attraction still remained, and they began to court. Although the courtship was promising, it was cut short by his untimely return to his ancestral home, of which only his dying sister, Audrey, returned with news of the death of the entire family - including Nathaniel who gave his life to save Audrey from Mist Ferrymen. Nathaniel's death was a heavy blow to Natalia, but she remained steadfast in her duties. She appointed Audrey Halloway as the new Burgomaster of Leiksburg, maintaining a close working relationship with her would-be sister-in-law.

Natalia continues to focus on strengthening the military and economic stability of her territories. She works tirelessly to quell the unrest between the conquered Gundarakites and the Barovians, using both diplomacy and force as necessary. Her ultimate goal is to prevent another Gundarak revolt and to ensure the continued dominance and prosperity of Barovia under Count Strahd's rule. Her resilience and unwavering commitment to her people and her lord make her a formidable figure in the land of Barovia, a beacon of strength and determination in a world overshadowed by darkness.

Personality

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Other Notes

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Combat Style

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Social Style

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Signature Equipment

Many of Natalia's signature equipment are legacy family heirlooms that have been passed down and improved upon by generations of Stanislavs, of which Natalia is the latest (and possibly final) inheritor. As befitting the family motto of "To a valiant heart, nothing is impossible", many of these items grant Natalia and/or her allies boosts to their courage, or similar effects.

Armour & Weapons

• Breastplate of Command: This magical breastplate armour has a metal breastplate over a chain shirt, along with red cloth in the red of Barovian nobility. It looks like good armour, but is not as ostentatious as many other magical armour. Nonetheless, whilst worn it makes Natalia look more imposing and inspires confidence in her abilities - granting a magical boost to her Charisma and leadership abilities. The breastplate is engraved with the Stanislave family crest, which prominently depicts a Barovian bear along with the engraved words "To a valiant heart, nothing is impossible" in Balok script. Allies within 360ft who have line of sight to Natalia gain boosts to their courage. As a result, when Natalia takes the field, it is common to see her troops standing up to threats that would break the morale of most troops, and standing bravely beside her.
• Stanislav Family Shield: This large round heavy shield, like her armour, looks sturdy but not ostentatious, put has a powerful defensive enhancement making it more than twice as effective as non-magical shields of its type. It also prominently depicts the Stanislav family crest and motto. Similar to the breastplate armour, the shield provides boosts to courage to allies within 30 ft, as well as boosting the effect of other courage-boosting abilities and effects she has. Additionally, once per day, if someone strikes a potentially-fatal blow against Natalia, the shield automatically casts a Breath of Life spell on her, healing her and potentially even bringing her back from the dead, if the damage to her body was within the capability of the healing magic.
• Stanislav Family Sword: This magical bastard sword is deceptive, like much of Natalia's signature family equipment. It is ancient and not very impressive to look upon, appearing like it has seen better years, although the blade itself looks sharp and sturdy. It is, however, a powerful magical weapon that gives magical morale bonuses against fear to the wielder, and additionally roars like a bear and inflicts additional damage on getting a critical strike against an opponent, also potentially permanently deafening them.
• Silver Dagger: Natalia has on occasion had to fight against undead creatures or werewolves, and so carries a silver dagger with her for these situations, just in case.
• Composite Longbow: Whilst Natalia prefers to engage in melee, there are times ranged combat is required. For this purpose, she carries this masterwork composite longbow.

Magic Items

• Scabbard of Vigour: This scabbard can accomodate most common one-handed weapons, adapting automatically to the weapon sheathed. Additionally, one per day as the weapon is drawn the wielder can place a magical enchantment bonus on it. This can be a weak enchantment that can last for approximately a minute, or can be made a more powerful enchantment for shorter duration.

Mundane Items

• Courtier's Outfit: For formal occasions when she can't be in armour, Natalia is most commonly seen in the finery of her courtier's outfit, a black dress with red piping in the traditional style of Barovian nobility.

Signature Quotes

• "To a valiant heart, nothing is impossible" - Stanislav family motto, but also something Natalia is frequently heard quoting. A mantra by which she lives and for which she is willing to die.

Gallery

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