Exemplars of Evil

CHAPTER 3
EDGAR & KATARIN
TOLSTOFF
50
Illus. by K. Yanner
USING THESE VILLAINS
Edgar and Katarin work best when used together. Although
their scheme keeps them in different locations much of the
time, they are careful to avoid excessive risks. Katarin is a
subtle manipulator, using others to fight her battles for her.
Edgar is a paranoid psychopath who hides in the ruins of his
family estate, tormented by the voice of his grandfather and
the tumor that grows in his gut. He protects himself with
corrupted soldiers who share his appalling tastes.
The siblings are not as close as they once were. Katarin believes
that Edgar puts the money she sends toward the release of their
grandfather, but that is not the case. Meanwhile, Edgar resents
the dalliances and trysts that his sister uses to coerce her marks.
Thus, tension grows between them; if properly exploited, it
could be used to drive a wedge between the two siblings.
Introducing these villains separately is easy, because they
move in different circles. The PCs might come across Katarin
while spending time in a city and be drawn into her scheme
when she tries to ensnare an NPC ally—or perhaps a player
character. If the characters try to meddle, she might send
Draen and his dire rats after them, while she returns to her
family’s keep to lie low for a while.
Alternatively, the PCs might face Edgar first. Since the mad
baron preys on his subjects, the party could stumble onto a
village in mourning or meet refugees fleeing the realm. The
Edgar Tolstoff
tales of woe could lead the PCs back to the keep, where they
can confront the siblings in the heart of their lair.
Of course, the pair’s superficial schemes mask their true
objective, which endangers the entire world. Their entombed
grandfather serves the Worm that Walks, a dead god of
incalculable power. This terrifying entity means to seize the
world for its own despicable purpose and devour everything
in it. The nobles’ ancestor is a linchpin in the deity’s plan:
Through him, it can be released from its own sepulcher.
If the PCs manage to thwart or drive off the siblings, Edgar
and Katarin return to the keep as soon as possible, more
committed than ever before to releasing their grandfather in
revenge. They do not realize that the archmage would have
no further use for them once freed. Indeed, they will likely
be the first victims of the Worm that Walks, as it returns to
the world to usher in a new age of despair.
THE TOLSTOFFS IN EBERRON
Katarin operates in Korth, the capital of Karrnath; she lives
in a small house near Crownhome. She has set her sights on
General Thauram (Five Nations page 113), a decorated officer
who oversees the city’s defenses and commands the White
Lions brigade—the principal defenders of Korth. Thauram
personally interrogates important prisoners, and Katarin
believes that by befriending him, she can learn more about
wealthy individuals who would be easy to exploit.
THE TOLSTOFFS IN FAERÛN
Situated where the Laughingflow drains into the Evermoors,
Tolstoff Keep and the surrounding hamlet have suffered incredibly.
Between the trolls, the giants, and the rampaging barbarians,
the family has faced extinction on more occasions than anyone
can remember. While his sister is away in Silverymoon, Edgar
sends his mercenaries to raid the Evermoor Way for supplies. In
his growing madness, he has begun to consider raising an army
of mercenaries to lay siege to Nesmé, the only town of appreciable
size on the Evermoors. Edgar keeps this plot to himself because
he knows that Katarin would think it reckless and foolhardy.
APPEARANCE AND BEHAVIOR
Although only in his mid-twenties, Edgar Tolstoff retains neither
youth nor vigor. Disease ravages his corpulent body. Festering
wounds leak watery pus, while swollen growths burst on his
arms and legs. His face, neck, and torso are a forest of fleshy
tumors. The most disturbing feature of all is a large distended
area that grows in his middle: A thick knot filled with fluid.
If anyone could bear to press an ear against it, he would hear
horrific utterances emanating from the tumor. Edgar hides his
ghastly appearance as well as he can, but the leakage from his
various sores and eruptions ruins any clothing he wears.
His sister Katarin is his exact opposite. She shares his sandy
hair and startling blue eyes, but her flesh is clean, untouched
by corruption. Most of the time, she lets her luxurious locks
hang free, but when trying to impress a victim, she takes the
time to pile her hair on top of her head, accenting the look
with a beautiful dress and some pieces of jewelry that have
been stolen by her minion Draen.
Although the siblings differ physically, they are similar in
personality. Both are inquisitive, eager to learn and experience
new things. They are not unsettled or frightened easily. In
fact, Edgar is fond of insects and worms, displaying them in