Ismark is a young man who sits by himself at a corner table, sipping his wine. Other villagers call him “Ismark the Lesser” because he has lived in the shadow of his father for most of his life. Ismark isn’t a typically dour Barovian. When the [[Curse of Strahd Adventuring Party]] arrive in the [[Village of Barovia]] at the [[Blood of, or On the Vine]] Tavern, he invites the characters to join him, offers to pay for their wine, and asks for their aid in protecting his adopted sister, [[Ireena Kolyana]]. When they agree to help, he takes them to the burgomaster’s residence. He wants the characters to help him escort Ireena to [[Vallaki]], a settlement in the heart of the valley, beyond the view of [[Castle Ravenloft]] and (he hopes) beyond the reach of [[Strahd Von Zarovich]]. Ismark knows that moving Ireena is a gamble, since she’s vulnerable to Strahd when she is outside their home, but he has heard assertions that Vallaki is well-defended. Ismark has spent most of his adult life training with weapons in the hope of one day confronting and killing the Strahd. At the start of the [[Curse of Strahd Campaign]], the party go along with Ismark's plan, but in the night they are attacked at the burgomaster's house and Strahd manages to infiltrate the manor. He then beheads Ismark and delivers the head to the party as a gift. #NPC/CoS/Canon