Van Richten's Tower

One of the men employed by Count Strahd von Zarovich to raise Castle Ravenloft was an archwizard named Khazan. After his work on the castle was complete, Khazan retired to the Barovian valley and built a tower for himself on a small island on Lake Baratok. With the help of some engineers and labourers, he also built an earth-and-gravel causeway connecting the island with the nearby shore.
In his waning years, Khazan visited the Amber Temple and discovered the secret to becoming a lich. He returned to his tower and was able to complete the transformation. Some years later, after Strahd became a vampire, Khazan paid a visit to Castle Ravenloft with the notion of challenging Strahd for rulership of Barovia. Instead, much to Khazan's surprise, Strahd persuaded him to serve as an advisor in matters of magic. When not advising Strahd, the lich spent most of his time in the Amber Temple, trying to master the secret of demilichdom in the hope of finding a way to magically project his spirit beyond the confines of Strahd's realm. His efforts failed, and Khazan destroyed himself. His remains lay entombed in the catacombs of Ravenloft.
Khazan's tower stood empty for ages, it seemed, and would have collapsed under the weight of neglect were it not for the magic wards placed on it long ago. The tower was taken over by the legendary vampire hunter Rudolph van Richten, who used it as a base from which to explore Barovia. He had since relocated to the nearby town of Vallaki, where he hid in plain sight.
Following in the vampire hunter's footsteps was his protégé, Ezmerelda d'Avenir, who had taken to living in the tower while she searched for her mentor.

Maps

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  Van Richten's Tower

RUINED STRUCTURE
8007

Type

Tower, Mage

Parent Location

Old Barovia