Shops of Barovia

Introduction

When first reading through the Curse of Strahd, I was disappointed to find the authors didn't provide anything exceptional for players to spend their hard earned gold on. Knowing how loot hungry my party was, I set out to make some fun shopping experiences for them.

By using some great items other DM's have made (as well as many of my own), I've put together several shops balanced out for a campaign in Curse of Strahd or any 1-10th level adventure. These items have been play tested over several different groups and I've had really great results with them.

When using this supplement, don't hesitate to alter any of the prices or details of the items. Especially if you're planning to use this with a higher level party.

Lastly, you'll notice many some items don't have descriptions. This is because they are official 5e items and are covered in either the Players Handbook or the Dungeon Masters Guide.

Enjoy!

Recommended Shop Locations

Svalich Woods

• Fritz Von Weerg's Workshop

Playing Dragomir

Making very few sales these days, Dragomir is extremely welcoming to new customers. Not used to people outside Barovia, he forgets his goulish appearance and makes no mention about the small bits off him that may fall off from time to time.

When selling items, Dragomir is straight forward about the cursed nature of his wares, but is careful not to disclose too many details. If pressed, he may divulge the item's history as detailed below, but tries to play off any negative effects as harmless and any positive effects as wonderous. He is not above lying either, though he prefers repeat customers. If anyone who is cursed by one of his items complains, he suggests they buy his overly priced scroll of Unbind Curse.

Blood Thirst Armor

This armor is a black suit of +1 splint mail, latticed with intricate etchings that roughly follow the lines of the major blood vessels on the body of a potential wearer.

As a bonus action, the user may ‘feed’ the armor blood from their veins. If they do so, the next time they take the attack action, they may roll their Hit Die (HD) and add that value to both the hit and damage of the attack. Then the value must also be subtracted from their own hit-points.

Helm of Whispers

This ancient helm grants the user incredible knowledge from an otherworldly being. While wearing the helm the user hears faint unintelligible whispers. If the user chooses to focus on the whispers they'll receive one secret or piece of advice from the DM to help them in their current quest.

Venom Quiver

This magic quiver enchants any bolts or arrows that are stored inside of it, giving the missiles an extra 1d6 poison damage.

Cloak of Undeath

A simple black cloak with an emblem of a raven perched atop a skull on the back of it This cloak grants the user advantage on death saving throws and has resistance to necrotic and poison damage. While wearing the cloak, the user cannot die of old age, but will continue to deteriorate physically when passing the normal limits for their race.

Curse

Once per day the gloves take on a mind of their own, forcing the user to make an attempt to steal an item within reach. The item's owner must be a creature that is unaware of the gloves true nature.

History

These gloves were imbued with the soul of a great thief. The creator of the gloves realized he underestimated the thief's love for stealing however, when he saw that the gloves started acting on their own.

Curse

Roll 1d6 whenever this is attempted. On a 1-2, the user wildly misunderstands what is being said or their responses are exceptionally offensive.

History

The many tongues from this necklace come from each creature whose language it's wearer can now speak.

Curse

The zombie only is loyal to the holder of the dagger. It will always attack the closest living creature within 30ft.

History

Once belonging to the famous necromancer Wiz-jak, this dagger has seen it's fair share of sacrifices. With enough time and fresh bodies, one could create any entire army.

Curse

On a critical miss, the sword heals it's intended target by 2d8.

History

When a sword of darkness and a sword of light were both melted down and forged into one blade, a guild of ancient dwarves hoped they were creating a weapon that could oppose both fiends and celestials alike. To their surprise, rather than emitting radiant energy, the sword emitted healing energy instead. Despite their best efforts to suppress this flaw, it still comes out from time to time.

Curse

The time this ring grants the user must eventually be paid back a million fold. Every time it's used, the user ages years depending on their race in the table below

History

A dying wizard created this ring in order to extend her life before succumbing to a rapidly growing illness. In the end she only managed to save seconds of her life rather than the years she hoped for.

Armor Fitting

The chances of finding a set of armor that is one's exact size on a slain enemy is rare. For a nominal fee, a blacksmith will tailor, hammer, and sometimes even modify the armor to fit a customer.

Gilding

The process of decorating a weapon or suit of armor with gemstones or gold, costing 100 gp in addition to material costs. It confers no benefits on the battlefield, but grant's +1 to all persuasion skill checks while wearing it.

Deep Iron Alloy

An incredibly hard metal taken from the Underdark, armor made from this material can withstand the harshest of blows. When getting hit while wearing Deep Iron armor, critical hits will be transformed into regular hits. This process only works on non-magic armor.

Spikes

Fits iron spikes on an armor set. Not only does this create a fearsome appearance, it will inflict damage on any successful grapple equal to the wearer's strength bonus.

Autumn's Shadow

Once known as the Cloak of Four Seasons. This magic armor was used by elves on their hunts to blend in with the changing colors of the seasons. Sadly in Barovia's constant darkness, these leaves always look dead and rotting. When sneaking or hiding among plants or trees this armor grants it's user advantage on all stealth rolls.

Duelist's Vest

This finely crafted leather vest was made to protect the wearer during a fencing duel. On top of the protection a typical leather vest provides, this suit is reinforced against piercing attacks. All piercing damage is reduce by 2.

Parry

This weapons can parry incoming attacks. If you hold your bonus action during your turn, you are granted an additional +1 to AC when attacked by a melee weapon from a target you can see. Wielding a parrying weapon in each hand allows you to boost your AC twice.

Unweildy

Due to the sheer size and weight of this weapon, it is difficult to wield gracefully. It has a -3 penalty when rolling to hit, but a +3 to damage when landing a blow.

Wind-up

You can prepare attacks with this weapon to make it even more effective. You can use an action to wind up or set your weapon. On the next attack you make with the weapon you add an additional weapon die to that attack if it hits. A weapon can only add one such damage die in this way. If no attack is made by the end of the wielder’s next turn it is no longer wound up. The wielder can use an action to keep the weapon wound up for a subsequent round. A weapon that is wound up can be used to make an opportunity attack when an enemy enters its range.

Silver Alloy

There are many creatures in Barovia that fear the sting of silver. Werewolves are especially vulnerable. You may only add silver alloy to a non-magic weapon.

Masterwork

The weaponsmiths can make a masterwork weapon on special order. Choose a weapon from the shop-list and they will create the masterwork version. It gains +1 on attack rolls.

Custom Scabbard

Any legendary weapon needs to kept in legendary condition. For only 20 gold you can have a custom scabbard of your own design.

Terminus Est

A sharp, intimidating sword, this blade once served as a symbol of authority for executioners. The mercury in it's core makes it light to raise and heavy to swing downward, perfect for beheadings. When attacking a prone target, this sword always does critical damage on a successful hit. In addition, this weapon has the stats of a +1 greatsword.

Geist Bane

This phantom blade is caught between the material and ethereal plane. While the handle remains in this realm, the blade glows an ethereal blue and is semi-transparent. Because of it's semi-permeable nature, this weapon can pass through enemies and damage them at the same time.

As a bonus action, when attacking with this weapon you may attempt to roll to hit an additional target as long as they are within 5ft of both you and the attacker. You may repeat this on another additional target as long as every previous hit is successful and they are within 5ft of you.

This weapon is also a +1 magic weapon and does an extra 2d6 damage to ghost-type enemies.

Dousing Blade

This odd sword is made of a peculiar metal that takes on the properties of any blood it comes in contact with. Any time a creature is struck with a slashing or piercing attack, the blade will absorb the properties of that creature, if acceptable. It will never inherit properties that make it weaker and it can only take on one property at a time. As soon as a new compatible source comes in contact with it, it will change. The table below are some examples of fusions.

Clockwork Reincarnation

For a nominal fee, a gemstone of power, and an intact brain, Fritz Von Weerg can reincarnate a deceased character as a clockwork being. The creature will have all the same attributes and abilities, but will lose all original racial abilities and gain those of the Warforged race instead.

Repeating Crossbow

Carries the stats of a regular heavy crossbow with the exception that it does not need to reload for 5 consecutive shots.

Smoke Bomb

When lit, this grenade begins to emit a large cloud of thick smoke in a 20ft radius. Anyone inside the smoke suffers the effect of blindness without the blind-sense ability.

Rending Bomb

This brutal explosive maims it's victims by showering them with metal shrapnel. Anyone caught in the 10ft radius blast takes 6d6 piercing damage on a failed Dex save (DC12). Those who pass take only half damage.

Sunburst Bomb

Loaded with flashing powder, when this grenade goes off, all creatures in a 20ft radius are inflicted with blindness on a failed Con save (DC12). For every turn there after the creature may attempt to reroll the save. After detonation, this grenade gives off the effects of the Light spell for 1 round.

Angry Ratkin

Packed with explosive powder, this little wind up toy mouse can travel up to 100 feet before going off. Anyone caught in the 10ft radius blast takes 4d6 blunt damage on a failed Dex save (DC12). The user has full control of the distance traveled, but it can only move in a straight line.

Blast Hook

This explosive powered grappling hook is Popov's most genius invention. Upon firing, it allows the user to hook a rope on to any surface up to 30ft away. Given the power of the firing mechanism it can pierce through most surfaces and even deals 1d8 piercing damage if hitting a creature.

Given its light weight design, this device can be used as bonus action or a reaction. The only short-fall is that each shot requires a blast cap to fire. The initial item comes with 3 and more can be purchased.

Eyes of the Bat

While wearing these dark lenses, you have Darkvision out to a range of 60 feet. If you already have Darkvision. wearing the goggles increases its range by 60 feet.

Eyes of the Owl

These Crystal lenses fit over the eyes. While wearing them, you can see much better than normal out to a range of 1 foot. You have advantage on Investigation checks that rely on sight while searching an area or studying an object within that range.