Dr. Frantisek Markov

Andrew Wyatt's Introduction

The Realm of Dread is home to many men that can claim an astonishing understanding of medicine and natural philosophy. However, in one field no sage or physician — whether renowned and respected or obscure and disreputable — is the equal of the madman Frantisek Markov: the anatomy and physiology of animals.

Through decades of observation, dissection, vivisection and arduous experimentation, Frantisek Markov has nearly perfected an abominable procedure for the transformation of an animal into an appalling creature with a suggestion of humanity. This procedure involves no arcane or divine magic, but the agonizing reconstruction of an entire organism’s morphology through surgical and alchemical techniques. It demands the technical genius of a craftsman, the diligence and patience of a physician, and the cold detachment of a hog slaughterer. Unfortunately, Markov possesses all of these traits in spades.

Denizens of Darkness presents the broken one, a monster that can be used to represent the horrid offspring of Markov’s procedure. Alternatively, DM’s may wish to use the template presented here to create unique broken ones based on the animals in the Monster Manual. This template represents a typical Markovian broken one, whose animal origins are readily apparent. From time to time, Markov has managed to produce creatures that are very nearly human. These wretched souls are best represented by normal human characters, though their type remains “aberration”. Unfortunately, these nearly flawless experiments degenerate into normal Markovian broken ones in 6d10 days, as their feral physical traits gradually reemerge. To Markov’s supreme frustration, he has not yet found halt this regression entirely, though he can reverse it by subjecting the creature to another cycle of surgeries (see Secrets of the Dread Realms).

History

Frantisek Markov was born to Barovian farmers. As he grew up he assumed responsibility for slaughtering the family's pigs, thoroughly enjoying the work. He became a butcher, which led him to lengthy reflections on the anatomy and functioning of the living body. Hideous vivisections on animals soon followed. He wife, Ludmilla, discovered these, was horrified, and threatened to both leave him and expose him. Before either could happen she became his next experimental subject, dying three torturous days later. Imprudently, he did not ultimately butcher her for meat as he had done with his previous experimental subjects, and her extraordinarily mangled corpse was soon discovered lying outside of town. Her fate was quickly connected to him, and he was driven into the Misty Border, only to be welcomed with the darklordship of freshly minted Markovia, where his work could resume and gather pace. But of course he was not only rewarded, but also punished. Dr. Frantisek Markov can transform into any animal shape he chooses (although his face remains the same), but he can never reassume human form, only those of beasts. Normally, he stays in the shape of a gorilla. His residence is called the House of Diosamblet.

In Fair Barovia

Frantisek Markov and Ludmilla are mentioned in this 4th Edition module. They resided in Vallaki. The lingering taint of Ludmilla's torment laced the Old Markov House with madness that ultimately let a couple of Thaani settlers become transformed by the Far Realm.

Errata

• Pg. 40 To be coherent with the description of Markov, Markov's bite attack should be stricken from the stat block (Errata)
• Pg. 41 In Frantisek Markov's stats, it is written: "He is a talented painter..." Yet in his stats, he doesn't have such skills. That does appear to be a slight oversight. Azalin suggested a quick fix: take 1 rank from his Sense Motive skill and 1 rank from his Wilderness Lore skill, and give him 2 ranks in Perform (painting). That all works out as Perform +1, Sense Motive +9, Wilderness Lore +9. (precision given by Azalin)

Statistics

2nd Edition: Male Cursed Shapechanger Human, Lawful Evil

D&D 3.5: Male Unique Shapechanger Expert 7, Lawful Evil, CR 10

Pathfinder 1E: Lawful Evil male humanoid Alchemist (Vivisectionist archetype) 8

TSR Collector Card

Markov's TSR 1991 Collector Card number is 487.

Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue

		Secrets of the Dread Realms Domains of Dread Neither Man Nor Beast
		Secrets of the Dread Realms - p41 Domains of Dread - p76 Neither Man Nor Beast -p27, 34, 36, 42 Realm of Terror - p104
		Secrets of the Dread Realms - pp40-41 Domains of Dread - p76 Neither Man Nor Beast - p26-27 Ravenloft Campaign Setting:Domains and Denizens - p73 Realm of Terror - pp103-104
		Secrets of the Dread Realms - pp7,40-41 Domains of Dread - p76 Ravenloft Campaign Setting:Domains and Denizens - pp23-24,73-74 Realm of Terror - pp103-104 Neither Man Nor Beast Various
		Diosamblet Dr. Fran The Master of Pain