NPC, Elena Faith-Hold

Her fervent prayers still echo through the mists, but they fall upon deaf ears. Only fragments of guidance return to her – phantom whispers and unsettling visions that fuel her twisted crusade. She sees malice in every fearful glance, conspiracy in every heated word, and monstrous evil in even the most passionate expressions of love.

The domain shudders under her righteous zeal. Those who defy her are swiftly branded as heretics, consumed by the fires of her misguided justice. Fear is the coin of her realm, and despair its harvest. Yet, even as she casts down any whiff of corruption, her own shadow grows long and monstrous. Each act of cruelty reinforces her delusion, drawing her ever further into the clutches of darkness.

Some whisper that within the tyrant's heart, a flicker of doubt still smolders. Perhaps her shattered faith can be mended, or her paranoia turned against the true architects of her misery. Yet such a path is fraught with peril – for to awaken Elena Faith-hold to the truth may be to unleash a despair that consumes her utterly.

n the dread realm of Ravenloft, Elena Faith-hold, once a Paladin of great virtue and strength, is afflicted with a unique and tragic curse that reflects her innermost fears and failings. Unlike her peers who understand that the ability to detect evil is often thwarted in this land, Elena clings to the belief that her divine powers remain intact and functional, a delusion wholly her own making.

Nature of the Curse: Elena has no true ability to detect evil—such powers are notoriously unreliable in Ravenloft, a fact known to other paladins who often find their divine abilities compromised by the land itself. However, Elena, driven by pride and a profound sense of isolation, refuses to accept this reality. She believes herself uniquely favored by her god, blessed with an unerring ability to discern evil where others fail.

Manifestation of the Curse: This belief is entirely a product of her own psyche, not an imposition by the Dark Powers of Ravenloft. Her actions are guided by her delusions of persecution and righteousness. Elena sees malevolence and corruption in the innocent actions of her subjects, interpreting fear, respect, or even love as signs of evil intent. Her judgments are harsh and often final, leading to a reign of terror cloaked in the guise of holy crusade.

Impact on Her Realm: The citizens of her domain are ensnared in a tragic paradox; the very emotions—fear, respect, affection—they feel towards their ruler are the ones that may condemn them. As Elena's delusions drive her to purge her land of perceived evils, her subjects learn to mask their emotions, living in a state of suppressed dread and cautious interaction.

Tragic Irony: Elena's romantic nature and her yearning for a pure, untainted companion only deepen her tragedy. Her delusion ensures that anyone expressing genuine emotion towards her risks being perceived as evil, making true connection impossible. Ironically, only those who feel nothing for her—typically the most self-serving and manipulative—can safely engage with her, appearing 'innocent' in her skewed perception.

Elena Faith-hold remains a zealous crusader against what she perceives as the rampant evil besieging her land. From her formidable stronghold atop Mount Malcredo, she devises strategies she believes will purify her realm. Misguided by her delusion of possessing an infallible ability to detect evil—a power that, unbeknownst to her, has never manifested—Elena views the often innocuous or simply emotional reactions of her subjects as signs of malevolent intent. Convinced of the righteousness of her cause, Elena has instituted a series of harsh "rehabilitative" programs aimed at correcting what she sees as the wayward and heretical tendencies of her peasants. These programs, rooted in her tragically flawed judgments, typically involve detaining and subjecting the so-called disobedient to severe interrogations and tortures until they renounce their supposed evil ways. Far from restoring order and piety, these actions only fuel further dissent and unrest among her populace, intensifying the cycle of fear and resentment throughout her domain. The more her efforts seem to fail, the deeper Elena’s grief becomes, as she cannot fathom why her attempts to cleanse her lands of evil only lead to greater discord. This failure, perceived through the lens of her delusions, only serves to reinforce her belief in a widespread conspiracy of evil against her, trapping her in a relentless pursuit of an enemy that does not exist, and driving her further into isolation and despair.

Confronting Elena

Elena Faith-hold (10th-level fighter): AC- 1; MV 12; HD 10; hp 90; Str 18/00; Dex

15; Con 15; Int 11; Wis 14; Cha 18; #AT 5/2; Dmg 2d4 + 10; SA +2 bastard sword, comersion attempt, turn lawful good opponents as level 10 cleric; SD +2 field plate armor, +2 to all saving throws; MR 30%; AL NE; THACO 5

Elena Faith-hold believes that she possesses the divine ability to detect evil. This conviction is deeply ingrained, forming the bedrock of her moral and judicial actions. She views the inability of other spellcasters in Ravenloft to detect evil as a clear indication of their spiritual impurity and lack of true divine connection, reinforcing her belief in her own unique righteousness. In reality, however, Elena's so-called "Detect Evil" is a product of her own paranoia and delusions. There is no supernatural alteration of her abilities; rather, her mind interprets ordinary interactions, expressions of emotion, and even the natural fear or respect shown by her subjects as manifestations of evil. This misinterpretation is not the result of detecting actual emotions per se but is a flawed mental process wherein she sees malevolent intent where none exists. Tragically, this delusion means that Elena may perceive a range of normal, everyday behaviors as evil—whether it's a peasant's hesitance in answering her questions, a courtier's overly fervent praise, or a suitor's gaze. She may misinterpret genuine empathy as a form of mockery or hidden malice. 

To her, these are all cloaked in the guise of evil. As a result, she reacts harshly, believing herself to be stamping out wickedness, when in fact she is responding to shadows cast by her own broken perceptions. This tragic misinterpretation fuels a cycle of fear and violence in her domain. As she lashes out against those she wrongly accuses, the real consequences of her actions only serve to deepen her isolation and paranoia, further convincing her of the righteousness of her lonely crusade against an evil that only she can 'see.'

Ironically, the only person who might escape her wrath would be one who shows no emotion whatsoever, whose impassivity leaves nothing for her paranoid mind to misinterpret. Yet, such a person is likely to be as manipulative and cold-hearted as Elena is deluded, using her for their own ends without ever truly arousing her suspicions.

hen Elena attempts to use a divine sense-like ability (previously described as "Unholy Sense"), the results are erratic and unreliable. Sometimes, it functions normally, detecting genuine evil. 

The original "Detect Strong Feelings" curse fundamentally breaks Elena Faith-hold as a Darklord. Here's why it's completely unworkable:

1. The Unsustainable Domain:

• A ruler exists within a complex web of relationships and opinions. Even with the most benevolent leadership, subjects will harbor strong feelings – frustration, admiration, worry, etc.

• Elena's curse would trigger on these inevitable emotions, rendering her entire domain a minefield. Each interaction becomes a potential death sentence, as loyalty and servitude are indistinguishable from hatred in the eyes of her ability.

2. Self-Destruction of Leadership:

• Elena would immediately decimate her own ranks. Advisors, soldiers, anyone with an ounce of ambition or a strong sense of duty possesses potent feelings towards their leader. She'd be constantly purging the very people necessary to maintain her rule.

• This creates a feedback loop of paranoia. Anyone fearing or questioning her becomes a threat, pushing her towards further isolation and instability.

3. Illogical from a Dark Powers Perspective:

• Darklords are cursed to perpetuate their own suffering. A curse that immediately destroys Elena's power base serves little purpose for a manipulative entity.

• The slow descent into madness, fueled by self-doubt and isolation, is far more insidious than immediate self-destruction.

4. Removes Player Agency:

• With the original curse, player characters wouldn't be able to exploit or challenge Elena's delusion. Her targets are essentially randomized. This limits potential roleplaying and lessens the horror.

5. Narrative Contradiction:

• If Elena is constantly persecuting those around her, it becomes difficult to justify a stable domain. Her story loses impact if she's merely a raving tyrant surrounded by corpses.

Here's a breakdown of why the revised versions of Elena Faith-hold's curse are more fitting for Ravenloft and create a more tragic and compelling Darklord:

1. Personal Responsibility in Damnation:

• The core of Ravenloft's horror lies in the Darklords being the architects of their own misery. The revised versions place the responsibility for Elena's actions squarely on her own shoulders, even though her sanity is twisted.

• The Dark Powers manipulate the environment, amplify her flaws, and subtly influence her, but ultimately, it's Elena's choices and paranoia that drive her descent. This echoes the real-world horrors where people commit atrocities based on distorted ideologies and self-righteous beliefs.

2. Psychological Horror over Direct Interference:

• The revised curse is rooted in psychological horror - the slow erosion of Elena's mind and faith. This is far more insidious than the Dark Powers simply changing how her power works.

• It creates a chilling uncertainty within the player and the character: How much of Elena's perceived "evil" is real external corruption and how much is a projection of her own darkness?

3. Tragedy and Internal Conflict:

• Elena's belief that she's doing good, even as she commits vile acts, creates a disturbing internal conflict. This is a far more compelling narrative than her merely being a pawn of the Dark Powers.

• The potential for a warped redemption arc, where she confronts the truth of her delusion, is more poignant than simply having her realize a magical effect was altered.

4. More Compelling for Roleplaying:

• The revised curse provides richer roleplaying opportunities. Player characters encountering Elena can't just "fix" her power. They're faced with a deeply delusional, dangerous ruler who could still hold a sliver of her former goodness.

• Do they challenge her sanity, risking the collapse of the domain? Do they manipulate her delusion for their own ends? Or do they seek a truly redemptive path amidst the darkness?

In summary, the revised curses make Elena a more tragic, complex, and thematically resonant Darklord. They shift the horror from overt manipulation to a disturbingly believable descent into madness, making her story a compelling echo of reality's darkest corners.