Feel free to steal the idea if you are ever running a campaign in Barovia, not sure I’ll get a chance to use it as of yet.
Tom the Flesh Golem
Tom was originally created by Emil Bollenbach for one purpose. His body was made filled with poison coursing through his veins that was intended for Lyssa Von Zarovich. He was created with a deep infatuation for Lyssa so that he would try and win her affections and be very likely to be one of the Vampiress’ victims.
Emil was commissioned by Count Strahd to bring his Niece to kneel. Their plan eventually came to fruit and Lyssa tasted the poison that would curse her to sleep well after sunset and her waking hours to be few before having to rest again.
Tom blames himself for what he did to Lyssa and still loves her. Lyssa has no love for Tom, and is repulsed by his existence ever since she found out his true nature. Having been used as a weapon against her and even worse one from her Grand-Uncle Strahd, this feeling has only increased.
Despite this she keeps him around having seen past what he has done to her, but also what he can do for her. She keeps a mild to intimate relationship with Tom. First of all, Tom seems to have acquired a bit of his creator’s ability to create. He has picked up Alchemy as a trade, and runs the shop in Zeidenberg.
Tom still believing Lyssa cares for him on some level is looking for a cure for his/Lyssa’s condition. If he can cure them he believes that they will be able to live together. He researches for a way to reverse the poison though is thwarted by Vistani misleading information on herbs around Barovia as well as herbs from beyond the borders of Barovia. Maybe even Lyssa is keeping him from finding a cure so she can use more of his blood as a weapon?
A second use Tom has is that his blood can be a weapon for Lyssa against other vampires, and she keeps a few vials of his blood to inject into vampires hearts who have incurred her wrath. She dreams of the day she’ll be able to inflict the same punishment to the ‘Devil Strahd’. She knows she could never fool him into drinking Tom’s blood so she plans on inflicting Strahd at an opportune moment. Preferably without her hands involved, say a group of adventurer’s off to defeat Strahd.
If Tom was ever cured he would probably find out quickly that Lyssa really has no love for him and is just using him to cure herself, and/or using his blood as a weapon. Having little use for him beyond being a golem she might discard him or continue the Façade of love to manipulate him into finding Emil Bollenbach either for revenge or another purpose. Perhaps Tom will find a place as Lyssa’s Servant/bodyguard and be content…
Some Ideas for Tom might include:
*Adventurer’s might meet Tom searching for herbs in forest’s beyond Barovia searching for a “Cure” for his loved one. He might travel alone or have hired a Vistani guide through the mists. Most likely he won’t comment on her condition feeling ashamed that he is the one that caused it and being fearful that Lyssa Von Zarovich might have enemies beyond Barovia. Or at least the Von Zarovich name.
*Lyssa might get a group of adventurer’s to use Tom’s blood on Strahd, or a vampire that has earned her Ire. Or perhaps someone has stolen her vials to use for themselves and she wants her samples back.
*Tom might be searching for Emil Bollenbach his creator for information on the poison in his blood. Poison after all usually doesn’t affect the undead like Lyssa. Perhaps if he could find him then he would have the secret to curing himself.
*If Tom is cured or perhaps even before Lyssa might use Tom to seek out Emil Bollenbach in order to commission a Flesh Golem of her own. She would want him to make a golem resembling Tatyana in order to poison Strahd and her pockets may be quite generous for this.
