Souls of Barovia
At a glance
Many Barovians appear spiritually empty, and Vallaki’s gray, distant residents are called Shells; even so, a child born to Shell parents may possess a soul.
What the company knows
- Mordenkainen said that most Barovians are spiritually empty, “dead inside,” and born without souls.
- Many Vallaki residents appeared ashen, distant, or resigned despite being alive and warm.
- Ernst Larnack contrasted people he called “blessed” with those who merely existed.
- Urwin called the gray, soulless people Shells.
- Urwin said that children born to Shells are sometimes born with souls.
- Urwin also said certain Barovian families inherit unusual powers and duties, though the relationship between those gifts and the possession of a soul remains unclear.
Why it matters
The difference appears to shape Barovia’s families and society, but the company does not yet know where souls come from, why they are scarce, or what happens to them after death.
Uncertainties
- What determines whether a Barovian has a soul?
- Why can Shells have children who possess souls?
- Are inherited family powers tied to souls, bloodlines, curses, or something else?
- Do “blessed” and “souled” mean exactly the same thing, or was Ernst speaking imprecisely?
- Can the soulless change, reincarnate, or leave Barovia?
- Does Strahd control or benefit from this condition?