Giacomo Casanova — The Venetian Adventurer
At a Glance
| Name | Giacomo Girolamo Casanova; later Jacques, Chevalier de Seingalt |
|---|---|
| Identity | Human Venetian adventurer, traveller, gambler and writer |
| Home | Venice, Republic of Venice |
| Outlook | Chaotic Neutral |
| Strengths | Conversation, languages, acting, disguise and reading people |
| Weaknesses | Gambling, vanity, debt, enemies made through indiscretion |
| Languages | Venetian/Italian and French; learned use of Latin, with other languages acquired through travel |
| Connections | Venetian patricians, performers, bankers, courtiers, Masonic acquaintances and travelling merchants |
| Occupation | Adventurer, occasional diplomat and intelligence source; later author and librarian |
A locked door is only a difficulty until Casanova discovers who holds the key. At a crowded Venetian reception he speaks as readily to a servant carrying wine as to the nobleman paying for it. He notices the half-hidden purse, the guest who avoids the household chapel and the courier who has changed coats since his arrival. He offers a compliment, remembers a name, and leaves with an invitation meant for somebody else.
Casanova is quick-witted, cultivated and audacious. He has real curiosity about the world and its people; he also habitually gambles more than he can afford and exaggerates the promises he makes. Neither fool nor invincible seducer, he survives by turning acquaintances into patrons and moments of embarrassment into opportunities. A cautious party can find him an excellent informant. A trusting one may become responsible for his latest debt.
Game Statistics
Role: charismatic negotiator and deceptive spellcaster; dangerous chiefly when he can choose the setting, conceal his intentions or escape confrontation.
Giacomo Casanova
Medium Humanoid (Human), Chaotic Neutral
Armor Class 17 (+1 studded leather)
Hit Points 153 (18d8 + 72)
Speed 30 ft.
Initiative +4 (14)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 (+0) | 18 (+4) | 18 (+4) | 18 (+4) | 14 (+2) | 22 (+6) |
Saving Throws Dex +7, Wis +5, Cha +9
Skills Deception +12, History +7, Insight +8, Investigation +7, Perception +5, Performance +12, Persuasion +12, Sleight of Hand +7
Senses Passive Perception 15
Languages Italian (Venetian), French, Latin, German, Spanish
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP; PB +3)
Traits
Social Chameleon. Casanova has Advantage on Charisma (Deception) checks to maintain an assumed identity after observing its social customs for at least 10 minutes.
Spellcasting. Casanova casts the following spells using Charisma (spell save DC 17, +9 to hit with spell attacks), without material components except those with a listed cost:
At will: Minor Illusion, Prestidigitation, Vicious Mockery (3d6 Psychic damage)
3/day each: Charm Person, Disguise Self, Invisibility, Suggestion
2/day each: Detect Thoughts, Dimension Door, Hypnotic Pattern, Major Image
1/day each: Dominate Person, Mass Suggestion, Modify Memory.
Actions
Multiattack. Casanova makes two Wounding Remark attacks.
Wounding Remark. Ranged Spell Attack Roll: +9, range 60 ft., one creature that can hear and understand him. Hit: 24 (4d8 + 6) Psychic damage. This magical attack inflicts no charm or forced obedience.
Rapier. Melee Attack Roll: +8, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 5) Piercing damage.
Bonus Actions
Disarming Repartee (3/Day). Casanova addresses one creature within 30 feet that can hear and understand him. It must make a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, it has Disadvantage on the next attack roll it makes against him before the start of his next turn. This is not a charm effect.
Reactions
Unexpected Exit (3/Day). When a creature Casanova can see targets him with an attack, he imposes Disadvantage on its attack roll and immediately moves up to 15 feet without provoking Opportunity Attacks from that creature. He must use the reaction before the attack roll is made.
Equipment and Tactics
+1 studded leather concealed beneath elegant clothing, rapier, dagger, gambling cards, forged invitations, sealed correspondence and emergency coin. Casanova isolates a leader with Suggestion or Dominate Person, disorients pursuers with Hypnotic Pattern, and escapes with Dimension Door. He attacks with Wounding Remark only when escape or negotiation has failed.
Giacomo Casanova
Medium humanoid (human), chaotic neutral
Armor Class 15 (studded leather)
Hit Points 78 (12d8 + 24)
Speed 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 (+0) | 16 (+3) | 14 (+2) | 16 (+3) | 12 (+1) | 20 (+5) |
Saving Throws Dex +5, Cha +7
Skills Deception +9, History +5, Insight +3, Investigation +5, Perception +3, Performance +9, Persuasion +9, Sleight of Hand +5
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages Italian (including Venetian), French, Latin
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Traits
Social Chameleon. Casanova has advantage on Charisma (Deception) checks to maintain a convincing assumed identity after watching a matching role for 10 minutes.
Spellcasting. Casanova is a 6th-level spellcaster. His spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 15, +7 to hit with spell attacks). He has the following bard spells known:
Cantrips (at will): Minor Illusion, Prestidigitation, Vicious Mockery (2d4 psychic damage)
1st level (4 slots): Charm Person, Disguise Self, Healing Word, Silent Image
2nd level (3 slots): Detect Thoughts, Invisibility, Suggestion
3rd level (3 slots): Hypnotic Pattern, Major Image.
Actions
Rapier. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage.
Bonus Actions
Disarming Repartee (3/Day). One creature that can hear and understand Casanova within 30 feet must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on its next attack roll against him before the start of his next turn.
Reactions
Unexpected Exit (2/Day). When a creature misses Casanova with a melee attack, Casanova moves up to 15 feet without provoking an opportunity attack from that creature.
Equipment and Tactics
Fine clothes over studded leather, rapier, dagger, purse, false introductions and coded letters. He relies on misdirection and spellcasting, not a prolonged duel.
Giacomo Casanova CR 6
XP 2,400
Human bard 6
CN Medium humanoid (human)
Init +7; Senses Perception +12
Defense
AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13 (+3 armor, +3 Dex)
hp 39 (6d8+12)
Fort +4, Ref +8, Will +6
Offense
Speed 30 ft.
Melee mwk rapier +8 (1d6/18–20)
Ranged dagger +7 (1d4/19–20; range increment 10 ft.)
Special Attacks bardic performance (19 rounds/day; countersong, distraction, fascinate [DC 18], inspire courage +2, inspire competence +2, suggestion [DC 18])
Bard Spells Known (CL 6th; concentration +11; save DC 15 + spell level)
2nd (4/day)—Detect Thoughts, Invisibility, Mirror Image, Suggestion
1st (6/day)—Charm Person, Disguise Self, Grease, Silent Image
0 (at will)—Detect Magic, Ghost Sound, Light, Mage Hand, Message, Prestidigitation
Statistics
Str 10, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 20
Base Atk +4; CMB +4; CMD 17
Feats Alertness, Improved Initiative, Skill Focus (Bluff), Weapon Finesse
Skills Bluff +17, Diplomacy +14, Disguise +14, Knowledge (nobility) +15, Linguistics +12, Perception +12, Perform (oratory) +14, Sense Motive +12, Sleight of Hand +12, Use Magic Device +14
Languages Italian (Venetian), French, Latin, German, Greek, Spanish
SQ bardic knowledge +3, lore master 1/day, versatile performance (oratory and acting), well-versed
Gear and Tactics
Masterwork rapier, studded leather armor, dagger, fine clothes, correspondence, a small purse and concealed playing cards. Before danger he uses Disguise Self, Detect Thoughts or Mirror Image; when threatened he uses bardic suggestion, illusion and retreat. His six levels represent an exceptionally resourceful court adventurer.
Giacomo Casanova CR 6
Human bard 6
CN Medium humanoid (human)
Init +7; Senses Listen +12
Defense
AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13 (+3 armor, +3 Dex)
hp 33 (6d6+12)
Fort +4, Ref +8, Will +6
Offense
Speed 30 ft.
Base Attack +4; Grapple +4
Melee masterwork rapier +8 (1d6/18–20)
Ranged dagger +7 (1d4/19–20; 10 ft.)
Special Attacks bardic music 6/day (countersong, fascinate [Will save DC equals Perform check result], inspire courage +1, inspire competence +2, suggestion [DC 18])
Bard Spells Known (caster level 6th; save DC 15 + spell level)
2nd (3/day)—Detect Thoughts, Invisibility, Suggestion
1st (5/day)—Charm Person, Disguise Self, Grease, Silent Image
0 (3/day)—Detect Magic, Ghost Sound, Light, Mage Hand, Message, Prestidigitation
Statistics
Str 10, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 20
Feats Alertness, Improved Initiative, Skill Focus (Bluff), Weapon Finesse
Skills Bluff +17, Diplomacy +20, Disguise +14, Gather Information +14, Knowledge (nobility and royalty) +12, Listen +12, Perform (oratory) +14, Sense Motive +12, Sleight of Hand +12, Use Magic Device +14
Languages Italian (Venetian), French, Latin, German
Special Qualities bardic knowledge +9
Gear and Tactics
Masterwork rapier, studded leather, dagger, fine clothing, papers, coin and playing cards. He talks first, conceals his position, relies on Invisibility or Suggestion, and retreats rather than fights to the death.
What He Wants
Safety without obscurity, comfort without obedience and enough money to take the next journey. Casanova cannot tolerate being shut out of a room where something important is happening. He likes clever people, learns quickly from them and takes particular pleasure in proving that rigid boundaries can be crossed. He has both generous impulses and a habit of making promises that outlive his resources.
How He Deals with the Party
As an ally: he obtains an introduction to an elusive patron, identifies the owner of a disputed letter or deciphers the social meaning of a dinner invitation. His reward is money, a favour or a quiet departure before creditors arrive.
As a rival: he wants the same cipher, manuscript, patron or ship passage as the adventurers. His advantage is not an army: it is that three people think he represents three different interests.
As a prisoner: he asks to see a cleric, learns the guard’s private grievance and begins to build a plan out of the prison’s smallest routines.
People and Loyalties
Zanetta Farussi: his actress mother; the theatre’s language of costumes, performance and reinvention helps explain his ease among different social circles.
Matteo Giovanni Bragadin: the Venetian patrician who becomes his influential supporter. Casanova’s ability to impress and his willingness to trade on other people’s credulity both matter to this relationship.
The Venetian State Inquisitors: officials whose power makes his travel, correspondence and experiments in magic or occult reputation politically dangerous. His imprisonment is a stark warning that words spoken at a dinner table can become evidence.
Actors, gamblers, interpreters and bankers: sources of introductions and practical information. He needs them more than an invented secret society or private army.
Where He Can Be Found
Venice: theatres, private dining rooms, the Rialto’s money changers, and—during his confinement—the Leads beneath the roof of the Doge’s Palace. Padua is an important place of his early education.
Paris and other European courts: gambling rooms, intellectual salons, rented lodgings, embassies and households where he can pass as better connected than he really is. A journey for a wealthy patron may also conceal an attempt to escape debts.
Encounters and Adventure Hooks
The Letters Behind the Mirror
Casanova promises an envoy that he can obtain letters proving a minister is accepting bribes. He knows which apartment contains them, but not that the household’s maid has already moved the papers to prevent a servant’s execution. The party must decide whether the truth is worth exposing the person who saved them.
The Leads
A prisoner inside the Doge’s Palace claims to know the route of an escape and offers the party a valuable map in return for one innocuous-looking tool. The request seems simple until the tool must pass through several inspections. The escapee’s freedom might release a witness whom the authorities insist is a dangerous impostor.
Two Chevaliers
Two men arrive at an inn using Casanova’s later title, Chevalier de Seingalt. Both carry convincing documents, both owe different creditors, and one possesses the only authentic invitation to a private gathering. Choosing the wrong claimant hands a powerful merchant’s correspondence to a blackmailer.
Favoured Magic
When rhetoric alone will not open a door, Casanova may turn to Charm Person, Disguise Self, Detect Thoughts, Invisibility or Suggestion. A spell provides leverage, not the lasting trust that he usually needs.
History
Born in Venice in 1725 to a theatrical family, Giacomo Casanova studies at Padua and pursues several early careers before becoming known as a traveller, gambler and adventurer. His education and gift for conversation let him move across social boundaries, although his fortunes depend repeatedly on patrons and precarious schemes.
In 1755 he is imprisoned in the Leads, the cells in the Doge’s Palace. He escapes on 31 October 1756 and continues his extraordinary travels. He later writes about the societies and people he encounters, and eventually works as a librarian at Dux in Bohemia. His memoirs are vivid but self-serving; the people around him may tell a different story of the same event.
Sources and Licensing
Historical background: Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Giacomo Casanova”; Treccani, “Casanova, Giacomo”; Penguin Random House, The Story of My Life reading guide.
Game rules: D&D 2024 monster rules; D&D 2014 Basic Rules; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game bard rules; D&D 3.5e SRD bard rules. Character statistics and special social abilities are original game interpretations, not an official published Casanova stat block. The Pathfinder and 3.5e class progressions follow their respective bard rules.
Existing painted character portrait retained from the site’s media library. Historical portraits and autobiographical claims should not be confused with this illustrative character portrait.
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