Lady Elysra Nivariel Williams

enemy

Race	Succubus (disguised as Human)
Class / Role	Fiend / Manipulator
Location	Barovia
Status	Active

Lady Elysra Nivariel Williams is the primary antagonist of the campaign — a succubus named Lyzara'Nualith who infiltrated Damaran high society by taking the human form and name Elysra Nivariel. She arrived in Valls presenting herself as a widow of minor Damaran nobility and entered the service of Lady Meagana Williams. She poisoned Meagana and, while the woman was wasting away, comforted and corrupted Lord Edmund Williams during his grief — eventually marrying him and dropping her maiden name. Beautiful, charming, and politically astute, she spent years positioning herself to access the secrets beneath the Citadel of the Yellow Rose. She orchestrated the Fall of Valls in 1496 DR, personally led the assault on the Citadel, and now operates within Barovia — trapped by the Mist after tricking Lady Fiona Wachter and others into summoning her through it. In human guise she is indistinguishable from a mortal noblewoman, but her true nature is revealed in moments of rage — her eyes flare with madness, a violet glow of abyssal power curls around her hands, and her voice fills the room with fanatic intensity.

Shorthagot is the avatar of Tharizdun, trapped in the Great Machine he helped the Netherese create. Lyzara'Nualith is attempting to free him so he can complete his work and free their master, Tharizdun.

Lyzara sought out Strahd after learning he possesses the Lode Stone, one of the four Keys. After being trapped in Barovia by the Mist, she presented herself as his representative while pursuing her own agenda. She convinced him the Vistani had betrayed him, leading to the attacks on the Vistani camps.

Direct nemesis. Clarissa never trusted Elysra from the moment she arrived in Valls. Lyzara knew Clarissa was head of the Order of the Yellow Rose and knew the Key's location. She tortured Clarissa beneath the Citadel using a mind-rending creature to extract the Key's whereabouts.

Lyzara'Nualith's true master. Everything she does — the infiltration of Valls, the assault on the Citadel, the pursuit of the Keys — serves Tharizdun's liberation.

Her husband, whom she corrupted and ultimately murdered to gain control of Valls and access the vaults beneath the Citadel when Clarissa blocked her access.

The Constable of Valls who served her. She stabbed him with a dark dagger and transformed him into the Jailer as punishment for his betrayal.

Lady Williams convinced Strahd that the Vistani had betrayed him. Strahd then ordered her to have the Abbot deal with them, resulting in the assaults on the Tser Pool and Tser Hill Vistani camps.