Barovia
The valley of Barovia was the oldest and best known of the Domains of Dread. Originally a location in a forgotten world of the Prime Material plane, the entire valley was transported to the Shadowfell by mists controlled by evil entities known as the Dark Powers. The realm was a prison for its darklord, the vampire Strahd von Zarovich, as well as the entire population of the valley. After Strahds defeat the The Council of Barovia was formed.
History
Originally part of a world in the Material Plane, sometime before the 11th century BC, Barovia was conquered by then-human general Strahd and his army. It was later transported to the Shadowfell by the Dark Powers, as a consequence of a pact struck with Strahd to grant him eternal life. The pact involved the murder of his brother Sergei von Zarovich so that Strahd could take Sergei's wife Tatyana, with whom he had fallen madly in love. The pact inadvertently caused the death of Tatyana and ended up turning Strahd into a vampire and imprisoning him within the realm. It remained the only Domain of Dread for nearly two centuries, until other realms started joining it.
In the Year of the Wandering Elfmaid, 1072 BC, the sun elf vampire Jander Sunstar encountered Anna, a fragment of Tatyana's soul who had been trapped in an asylum in Waterdeep for almost a century. After years looking after her and failing to turn her into a vampire to prevent her death, in the Year of the Rose, 1098 BC, Jander was transported to Barovia by the Dark Powers, vowing to take revenge upon whoever had been responsible for her fate. There, he befriended Strahd, then still an inexperienced vampire, and, over more than 25 years, taught him much of his vampiric skills, including the ability to communicate with and control animals. After discovering the true nature of Strahd, Jander attempted to destroy him, but ended up only severely injuring him. He threw himself into the sun to end his misery afterwards, but, instead of dying, was transported to the adjacent domain of Forlorn.
In the late 15th century DR, werewolf servants of Strahd traveled from Barovia to the Misty Forest near Daggerford. The creatures, always surrounded by the ever-present mists, killed villagers and kidnapped their children during nights of full moon. Moreover, a group of vistani travelers from Barovia camped near Daggerford and started harassing the villagers, to the dismay of Duchess Morwen Daggerford. The purpose of the vistani, also servants of Strahd, was to lure adventurers into the realm.
Around the same time, the Svalich Woods briefly merged with the Quivering Forest and Twilight Marsh near Phlan.
Another group of werewolves led by Sangin traveled to Baldur's Gate in search of a locket that possessed the power to free certain individuals from the Domain of Dread. After stealing the locket from the Temple of Kelemvor in the Lower City, they were intercepted by the Heroes of Baldur's Gate. In the struggle, they were all transported by the mists into Barovia.
During their stay in the valley, the heroes met Madame Eva, who foretold that Minsc would fail to rid that realm of its evil. Later, the group met Davian Martikov, a wereraven member of the Keepers of the Feather, at the Wizard of Wines Winery, who allowed them to stay for the night. The next day, having received a bottle of the locally-produced Red Dragon Crush, the group left for the fishing village of Vallaki.
In Vallaki, the group was confronted with Strahd, who demanded that hey returned the locket. After being nearly defeated by Strahd's overwhelming magical and physical power, the group ws transported to the Spine of the World by the power of the locket, which contained a fragment of the soul of Strahd's brother, Sergei.
Volo's view of Castle Ravenloft:
The writer Volothamp Geddarm visited Barovia with the objective of mapping it, after being offered a commission of 99 gp by his rival Randilus Qelver, who suggested that Volo enter Barovia through a path in the Wood of Sharp Teeth. However, Volo, after conferring with Elminster Aumar, was equipped with a charm designed to ensure his safe return and was magically transported straight to the realm. During his visit, Volo met the vampire hunter Ezmerelda d'Avenir, who helped him slay a vampire spawn called Andramar. He also visited the Blood of the Vine tavern in the village of Barovia and the Blue Water Inn in Vallaki, where he met another vampire hunter, Rudolph van Richten, who revealed that Qelver was, in fact, a servant of Strahd. The next day, when intercepted by Strahd himself, Volo used the charm to return to Faerûn.Structure
head of country: The Council of Barovia
Burgomaster: the mayors of the villages
Culture
Barovians themselves had any culture they had stripped from them by their old ruler Strahd. but a very, very, small group of Barovian Drifters known as the Vistani are known for their very vibrant celebrations and games.
Public Agenda
to build up and reinforce the country of Barovia so that it may join the other world superpowers of Faerune and Eostre.
Assets
the mysterious treasures of Castle Ravenloft
History
Originally part of a world in the Material Plane, sometime before the 11th century DR, Barovia was conquered by then-human general Strahd and his army. It was later transported to the Shadowfell by the Dark Powers, as a consequence of a pact struck with Strahd to grant him eternal life. The pact involved the murder of his brother Sergei von Zarovich so that Strahd could take Sergei's wife Tatyana, with whom he had fallen madly in love. The pact inadvertently caused the death of Tatyana and ended up turning Strahd into a vampire and imprisoning him within the realm. It remained the only Domain of Dread for nearly two centuries, until other realms started joining it.
In the Year of the Wandering Elfmaid, 1072 DR, the sun elf vampire Jander Sunstar encountered Anna, a fragment of Tatyana's soul who had been trapped in an asylum in Waterdeep for almost a century. After years looking after her and failing to turn her into a vampire to pre vent her death, in the Year of the Rose, 1098 DR, Jander was transported to Barovia by the Dark Powers, vowing to take revenge upon whoever had been responsible for her fate. There, he befriended Strahd, then still an inexperienced vampire, and, over more than 25 years, taught him much of his vampiric skills, including the ability to communicate with and control animals. After discovering the true nature of Strahd, Jander attempted to destroy him, but ended up only severely injuring him. He threw himself into the sun to end his misery afterwards, but, instead of dying, was transported to the adjacent domain of Forlorn.
In the late 15th century DR, werewolf servants of Strahd traveled from Barovia to the Misty Forest near Daggerford. The creatures, always surrounded by the ever-present mists, killed villagers and kidnapped their children during nights of full moon. Moreover, a group of vistani travelers from Barovia camped near Daggerford and started harassing the villagers, to the dismay of Duchess Morwen Daggerford. The purpose of the vistani, also servants of Strahd, was to lure adventurers into the realm.
Around the same time, the Svalich Woods briefly merged with the Quivering Forest and Twilight Marsh near Phlan.
Another group of werewolves led by Sangin traveled to Baldur's Gate in search of a locket that possessed the power to free certain individuals from the Domain of Dread. After stealing the locket from the Temple of Kelemvor in the Lower City, they were intercepted by the Heroes of Baldur's Gate. In the struggle, they were all transported by the mists into Barovia.
During their stay in the valley, the heroes met Madame Eva, who foretold that Minsc would fail to rid that realm of its evil.[16] Later, the group met Davian Martikov, a wereraven member of the Keepers of the Feather, at the Wizard of Wines Winery, who allowed them to stay for the night. The next day, having received a bottle of the locally-produced Red Dragon Crush, the group left for the fishing village of Vallaki.
In Vallaki, the group was confronted with Strahd, who demanded that hey returned the locket. After being nearly defeated by Strahd's overwhelming magical and physical power, the group ws transported to the Spine of the World by the power of the locket, which contained a fragment of the soul of Strahd's brother, Sergei.
Volo's view of Castle Ravenloft:
The writer Volothamp Geddarm visited Barovia with the objective of mapping it, after being offered a commission of 99 gp by his rival Randilus Qelver, who suggested that Volo enter Barovia through a path in the Wood of Sharp Teeth. However, Volo, after conferring with Elminster Aumar, was equipped with a charm designed to ensure his safe return and was magically transported straight to the realm. During his visit, Volo met the vampire hunter Ezmerelda d'Avenir, who helped him slay a vampire spawn called Andramar. He also visited the Blood of the Vine tavern in the village of Barovia and the Blue Water Inn in Vallaki, where he met another vampire hunter, Rudolph van Richten, who revealed that Qelver was, in fact, a servant of Strahd. The next day, when intercepted by Strahd himself, Volo used the charm to return to Faerûn.Demography and Population
the population of barovia is slowly increasing after the destruction of the tyrant ruler Strahd. With the slow improvement of country-wide morale, childbirth is becoming more and more sucessful. Barovias demographics include Humans and were-folk, with humans being the vast majority and the Were-folk confined to singular areas.
Territories
Barovia encompasses the entire continent of Barovia as it was returned to the Physical Plane.
Military
Barovias military makes up the Barovian Militiamen and freelance mercenaries. the population of barovia does not allow for a formal standing military. all Barovians are considered members of the militia. anyone who invades Barovia will have the countries full population against them.
Technological Level
on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being a dark ages town, and 10 being a full self sufficient city, Barovia is a 3.
Religion
Barovians worship the Raven Queen. this is due to her influence in removing Barovia and even returning it after Strahds fall.
Foreign Relations
Baroivas foreign relations include:
Faerune, used for an assortment of magical supplies as well as fibers and cloth. open borders with most Faerune governments.
Eostre, used for its cheap and easy access to metals and ores, Eostre serves as the main source of metallurgy for Barovia while its industries are slowly forming.
Alab-Astre, not much trade between these two continents happens, with Alab-Astre only able to provide things that the The Council of Barovia has deemed illegal since the defeat of the Arch-Demon that plagued the world.
Laws
Vampirism is illegal. all Vampyres are to be killed on sight.
any form of dark magic is not to be performed within country borders. punishments may include fines,imprisionment, or death.
Agriculture & Industry
each village in Barovia is responsible for farming and animal husbandry. with famines and disease originally considered a daily occurance, this has begun to change over the last 50 years.
Education
the history of Barovia means your average citizen has a 4-5th grade education. During Strahds rule, intelligence only made you a target, with the longest living citizens surviving by either luck, or lack of knowledge of the world around them.
Infrastructure
each village is required to maintain and upkeep their own individual infrastructure.
Mythology & Lore
"pro nobis futurum"
Demonym
Barovian
Leader
Head of Government
Power Structure
Feudal state
Currency
originally the Ziti Coin was the original currency of barovia, but after the fall of Strahd, gold and silver became the common currencies with the Ziti coin falling into obscurity.
Legislative Body
the The Council of Barovia determine all major laws for barovia. the Burgomaster for each village sets smaller, individul laws for their holds.
Judicial Body
the
Deities
Neighboring Nations
Related Species
Related Ethnicities
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments