Valley of Barovia - Overview
The idyllic valley nestled in the Balinok Mountains was a slice of heaven to those who knew of its existence before Strahd’s arrival. The serenity of the place was forever shattered when Strahd led a bloody crusade against the enemies of his family that ended here with the slaughter of hundreds. Struck by the scenic beauty of his most recent conquest and eager to escape the shadow of his father’s legacy, Strahd made the valley his home and named it Barovia after the late King Barov, his father.
The land now called Barovia is no longer part of the world that Strahd once tried to conquer. It now exists within a demiplane and surrounded by a deadly fog. No creature can leave without Strahd’s permission, and those that try become lost in the mist. The sun never fully shines in the lands of Barovia. Even during the day, the sky is dimmed by fog or storm clouds, or the light is strangely muted.
Strahd allows the Vistani to come and go as they please because he admires their lust for life and their willingness to serve him when he needs them. He also owes an ancient debt to the Vistani people. As a soldier centuries ago, he suffered a grievous injury in battle, and the Vistani tended his wounds and returned him safely to his family without making any demand for payment.
Native Barovians have been terrorized for centuries by the one they call “the devil Strahd.” Only a handful of them have the will to oppose him. Barovians congregate in the valley’s three main settlements—the villages of Barovia and Krezk and the town of Vallaki—for fear of falling prey to wolves and other beasts that prowl the woods.The evergreen trees of the Svalich Woods climb the sides of the mountains that enclose the valley. The largest of these peaks is Mount Baratok, with its snow-covered cap and rugged slopes. Baratok’s slightly smaller twin, Mount Ghakis, is mostly bald with tufts of trees here and there. Between these two mountains stands Lake Zarovich, which is fed by streams of ice-cold water pouring down the face of Mount Baratok. On the south side of the lake rests the town of Vallaki, enclosed by a palisade.
Dinvyr learned more of the nature of the Valley of Barovia through nightmarish visions while held unconcious after reading from the Grimoire of the Four Quarters. Dinvyr has seen visions of several domains of dred similar but yet entirely different from this location. Each of the domains is ruled over by a dread lord and tailored to their specific cruelties and desires, yet some how also containing them and refusing them their greatest true desire. Barovia is a prison to everyone within crafted by mysterious dark powers who wilingly accept any innocents swept up into the domain as acceptable collateral damage to contain each of these dark lords. To what end it is unknown as this information was not revealed in Dinvyrs visions.
Demography and Population
Village populations approximate and include surrounding hinterlands (this includes any farmers, lumberjacks, traders, etc which may not keep permanent residence in town. Population estimates below do not include any factions.
Barovian settlements:
Village Barovia - 100-150
Vallaki - 2000
Krezk - ???
Vistani settlements:
Tser Pool encampment - 3 families, approximately 30. Encampment has 12-16 Vistani present at any time
Vallaki encampment - ???
Type
Geopolitical, County / March
Capital
Leader
Leader Title
Founders
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Despotism
Power Structure
Feudal state
Currency
Gold, Silver, Copper. All coins are stamped with the profile of Strahd Von Zarovich.
Deities
Related Ethnicities
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