The Sun Sword and Kazan

After Strahd von Zarovich murdered his brother Sergei and became a vampire, he commissioned a wizard named Kazan to destroy Sergei's sword — the weapon now known as the Sun Sword. The process required the hilt and crystal blade to be separated, which Kazan accomplished.

While Kazan was occupied destroying the blade, his apprentice stole the hilt and fled. Kazan later found his apprentice's mutilated body in the Svalich woods. The hilt was not with him. Kazan told Strahd that the entire weapon had been destroyed. Strahd has believed this for approximately two centuries.

What Strahd Doesn't Know

The hilt survived. It is sentient and has been in the world ever since, eventually making its way into the possession of Rictavio, who kept it in a lead-lined locked box in his wagon. It found its way to the party via tiger.

The Hilt's Perspective

The Sun Sword knows it cannot be reunited with its crystal blade. It has adapted its properties accordingly, generating its own blade of radiant energy. Its primary motive is revenge for the destruction of the crystal blade, and liberation of Barovia as a secondary goal. It secretly fears its own destruction, which distinguishes it from more recklessly heroic weapons.

Kazan's Fate (Revealed Session 15)

After retiring from Strahd's service and building a tower at Lake Baratok, Kazan visited the Amber Temple and discovered the secret of becoming a lich. He attempted demi-lichdom specifically to project his spirit beyond the confines of Strahd's domain — a way out that bypassed the physical mists. The attempt did not go well. He destroyed himself in the process.

His entombed remains are somewhere inside Castle Ravenloft. Strahd did not like him and was unlikely to have arranged a comfortable resting place.

The tower at Lake Baratok now belongs to Esmeralda, who uses it as a base of operations. The anti-magic field Kazan built remains active. The clay golems and standing suit of armor — both Kazan's constructs — still function and respond to voice commands.

First Revealed

Session 13 — inscription inside the lead-lined box described the history of the Sun Sword

Session 15 — Esmeralda confirmed Kazan's full fate and his connection to the tower