A mad physician, pushed by the necessity not simply to create life, however defeat dying itself—Dr. Viktra Mordenheim will present all of them!

In the shadowy lands of Lamordia steepled with gothic parapets, lies the key to life and dying itself. Like many issues in Ravenloft, it’s a secret tinged with tragedy. But even on this land of mists and gloom, there’s no denying the triumphant glow of an Unbreakable Heart. The coronary heart created by Lamordia’s tormented Darklord with all of the furor that love can muster.

It is an act she could by no means repeat. Because Dr. Viktra Mordenheim is a superb scientist, however in Lamordia in Ravenloft? She is as tortured as the themes she unwittingly reigns over.

Viktra Mordenheim – Child Prodigy

Even in her earliest days, Viktra Mordenheim was fascinated by the complexities of the humanoid physique. And as a toddler prodigy born to a minor noble family, the younger Mordenheim had appreciable sources at her disposal. Tutors have been at her disposal, sure, however she shortly outgrew them.

She taught herself drugs at 9 years of age, and in her early teenagers, earned each a doctorate and appointment as a preeminent researcher to a neighborhood college. Many lauded her insights and understanding. But some whispered that the younger Dr. Mordenheim’s understanding of the workings of life bordered on the unnatural.

And the younger physician actually made few buddies throughout her tenure. She was targeted. Driven. Her detractors would say she lacked empathy, compassion, and ethical qualms. But as Dr. Mordenheim would say, the pursuit of life drives us, no matter it prices.

Even so, she pursued drugs and science solely to satiate her personal curiosity, by no means with the considered the way it may help her sufferers. This was her biggest flaw. The hubris that will carry her low.

Life, Death, And Elise

Dr. Viktra Mordenheim pursued her research to the exclusion of just about all else. She was satisfied she may do greater than create life—her purpose was nothing lower than to beat dying itself! She would breathe sentience into lifeless flesh, and create sturdier vessels for her creations than the delicate, short-term mortal shells given by distant, capricious gods.

Thus did she start experimenting with corpses. And to come back by her topics, she employed body-snatchers to steal corpses for her checks. This was how she got here to satisfy Elise.

Elise was reckless, harmful. Free-spirited and spontaneous. And she was essentially the most stunning lady that Viktra had ever seen. Spontaneity met chilly, methodical progress, and the opposites attracted. Dr. Mordenheim knew love. But alas, it was to not final.

Not lengthy after their relationship blossomed, Elise started exhibiting indicators of an incurable losing illness. Here was the primary time that both lady knew the sting of despair. And right here, Dr. Mordenheim’s drive turned obsession. Driven by worry and love in equal measure, Dr. Viktra Mordenheim’s analysis turned determined and hasty. Now she had one purpose: defeat dying for Elise’s sake.

Her experiments have been now not restricted to the lifeless. The dwelling have been examined. On her working desk, victims have been killed, raised, and died once more as Mordenheim sought out the secrets and techniques hidden in that second of dying.

And one moonless evening, Elise fell right into a sleep from which she wouldn’t wake. It took all of Dr. Mordenheim’s work, however she instilled in Elise her masterwork: a synthetic organ known as the Unbreakable Heart.

Waking In Ravenloft

When the final stitches have been put into place, constables from the close by city burst into her lab, accusing the physician of facilitating quite a few murders and worse. Dr. Viktra Mordenheim fought in opposition to her would-be captors however to no avail.

In the following scuffle, her laboratory crammed with smoke and arcing electrical energy. Before Dr. Mordenheim misplaced consciousness, the very last thing she noticed was Elise, rising from the desk, the golden glow from the Unbreakable Heart shining from inside.

When Mordenheim awoke, she was in Lamordia. An unfamiliar land whose genius was celebrated, although she didn’t know why.

Though the encircling cities hail her as a noble hero, Dr. Mordenheim has no time for the folks of Lamordia. Instead, she seeks solely to recreate the miracle of scientific immortality she found with the Unbreakable Heart. Despite all her makes an attempt, she is going to by no means repeat it.

This is Ravenloft’s torment. Elise, too, is on the market someplace, wandering the mists. And although Dr. Mordenheim spends her each spare sources trying to find the lady she saved—it isn’t within the identify of a love misplaced and probably reunited. She solely seeks Elise that she may as soon as once more perceive the mysteries of the Unbreakable Heart.

Then she’ll present all these fools who doubted her, she’ll present all of them!

Bell of Lost Souls Staff Writer and DM, J.R. covers RPGs of all stripes and every so often eats sandwiches. You can ask him about both at [email protected]

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