# [[Mother Night]] [[Mother Night]] is a major divine or spiritual figure associated with **darkness, wilderness, and nature** in [[Barovia (the Land of)|Barovia]]. Barovian religion appears to be broadly dualistic: the [[Morninglord (Temple)|Morninglord]] is associated with light, goodness, and civilization, while Mother Night represents the darker and wilder side of the land. ## Worship Mainstream Barovian religion appears to acknowledge Mother Night without necessarily encouraging active worship. The Gang has been told that: - the [[Morninglord (Temple)|Morninglord]] is generally regarded as the more benevolent and protective deity; - Mother Night is treated more as a power to be **feared and respected**; - some groups, however, actively worship her. The werewolves are among her most devoted followers. ## The Werewolves In [[015_20260911 Session 15|Session 15]], the Gang learned that the werewolves believe they carry the **true message of Mother Night**. [[Emil]], a werewolf imprisoned in [[Castle Ravenloft]], described [[Strahd von Zarovich|Strahd]] as a **false prophet** and a usurper of Mother Night's authority. The werewolves appear to believe that: - Mother Night is the rightful spiritual power behind Barovia; - Strahd has falsely claimed or stolen authority associated with her; - spreading lycanthropy and the worship of Mother Night can strengthen their cause. The term **Dukar** was also associated with Mother Night. The Vistani use the word for a terrifying or dark messianic figure, and Strahd has been described as a supposed **chosen child of Mother Night**. ## Strahd Strahd claims that his power comes from Mother Night. However, whether Mother Night actually supports him is unclear. The Gang has heard conflicting interpretations: - some traditions associate Strahd's supernatural power and lordship over Barovia with Mother Night; - the werewolves consider him a false prophet who has usurped her authority. At present, the Gang does not know which interpretation is correct. ## Ancient Origins In [[014_20260904 Session 14|Session 14]], the Gang learned that worship connected to Mother Night may predate Strahd. According to Vistani lore, the ancient Dusk Elves brought the worship of dark or unseelie powers into Barovia, including: - witches - hags - black unicorns - other dark spirits - Mother Night King Barov later defeated the Dusk Elves and imposed worship of the sun god across the land. [[Strahd von Zarovich|Strahd]] was subsequently sent to seek out and destroy surviving relics of those older powers. When he returned, he had already gained his own supernatural powers. Because of this, the origins of Strahd's power appear to be somehow connected to the same ancient forces associated with Mother Night. ## Known Associations Mother Night is associated with: - darkness - wilderness - nature - ancient Barovian spirits - the werewolves - the [[Dukar]] - the origins of Strahd's supernatural power