Vallaki

Vallaki was a large town situated deep within the valley of Barovia. It stood as Barovia's largest population center and because of this, led the region in services and trade. Vallaki remained directly under the tyrannical rule of Strahd Von Zarovich, until AoR 597 when the Vampire Lord was destroyed. Now Vallaki enjoys a time of relative peace.

Geography

Vallaki was located in the heart of the Barovia, situated just south of Lake Zarovich, west of Ravenloft, east of the The Wizard of Wines and was almost totally surrounded by the Svalich Woods. Because Vallaki stood at a crossroads between other towns, it was considered the hub of what little trade happened in the region.

Government

Vallaki was traditionally ruled by a Burgomaster or Baron, as had been the custom in the region of Barovia for many years. Typically, the Baron would be a member of the most powerful and wealthy families in the area. Before the rule of the Von Zarovich family, Vallaki followed this form of government, and continued even after occupation had begun. The Baron's would learn to rule the town, while taking overarching orders from Ravenloft.
In AoR 597, Vallaki would see the rule of the town switch several times over. Baron Vargas Vallakovich would be unseated and killed in a public execution, leaving the Wachter family, led by Fiona Wachter, to take control. Her rule would last for only a week's time, as Fiona would be driven from Vallaki after the destruction of Strahd. For the first time in Vallaki's history, the town would elect a Baron to power, with Stefanie Martikov rising to the position, a cousin of the former Inn owner; Urwin Martikov.

Layout

Districts

While Vallaki was the largest town in Barovia, it was still quite small, hardly large enough to be split into multiple districts. That said, the eastern area of the town was home to the Church of Saint Andral, the Blue Water Inn and the Town Square; where festivals and public displays would be held. This gave the eastern portion of town a lively feel, while the north end of town was mostly residential. Situated at the west gates of the town was the trading market. It was a small area, with only a few different shops, but was more than enough to provide Vallaki with goods and services. For a time, this market was home to Tanka's Trinkets, a general store with a shady and criminal founding.

Defenses

Vallaki was surrounded by a large wooden wall, covering every side of the town. The wall stood about 20ft tall, with sharpened edges at the top. Platforms had been constructed at each gate, giving the guards of Vallaki an area on which to provide overwatch.
More importantly, the city of Vallaki was protected from the dark creatures and machinations of Strahd by a protective ward. This magical ward stemmed from the holy remains of Saint Andral; an ancient Cleric of Torm that had been responsible for the founding of the church in town. In AoR 597, the protective ward would be stolen and later destroyed, an event that would lead to a massacre within the Church of Saint Andral by Strahd's forces.

History

Von Zarovich Occupation

Vallaki was an active town during the Age of Fire, remaining a neutral power in the region up until the arrival of the Von Zarovich family. While Vallaki would put up a small defence against the incoming invaders, it would quickly fall in line with the rest of the valley, becoming a town under Zarovich rule. In the many years that followed, Vallaki would become a shell of it’s former self, most falling into despair under the rule of the newly transformed vampire; Strahd Von Zarovich.

Arrival of the Saviours

In AoR 597, Vallaki would undergo several changes, mostly to it's leadership. Baron Vallakovich would be contested and ultimately ousted by a group of adventurers, who would later become known as the Saviours of Barovia. The group fought against the men loyal to the Baron, and eventually captured him and his family, leading them to be executed in spectacular fashion in the town square. Lady Fiona Wacther would rise to power as the new Baron, and would shamelessly ally herself with Strahd.
During this time, Strahd and Argynvost would attack the Church of Saint Andral, it's protective ward now deactivated at the hands of Tylus Symshade. A massacre of dozens of citizens would transpire, leading the surviving citizens of Vallaki to cower in a renewed fear of their vampiric overlord. With the Baron of Vallaki allied with Strahd, the town became a stronghold for his cult.

Dawn of a Golden Age

When news of Strahd Von Zarovich's destruction reached Vallaki, the townsfolk rose up against the Wachter family. Without the leadership from Fiona herself, the remaining cult forces were driven away or killed, mostly eliminating the group's influence over the town. The Saviours of Barovia would return, ensuring the town was secure from any remaining dark creatures.
In control of the town for the first time in centuries, Vallaki's citizens would elect their own leader to power. They would choose Stefanie Martikov, the sister of the recently deceased Urwin Martikov and the niece of Davian Martikov. Vallaki entered a new age of prosperity and peace after Strahd's destruction, as did the rest of Barovia.

Organizations & Places of Interest

• Blue Water Inn: Vallaki's only tavern and inn, the Blue Water was owned and ran by Urwin Martikov and his family. It also served as a secret headquarters for the Keepers of the Feather, an organization that the Martikov family was allied with. In AoR 597 the inn would be mostly destroyed by Fiona Wachter, though it would be rebuilt later.

• Church of Saint Andral: A large cathedral in Vallaki's east end, the Church of Saint Andral was one of the only places of worship found in the entirety of Barovia. While it was mostly dedicated to Torm, other deities could also be worshipped here.

Basic Information

Type: City
Region: Barovia
Population: 1,375 in AoR 597

Society

Races: Human (94%), Elves (3%), Other (3%)
Prime Religion: Torm, Cult of Strahd
Notable Inhabitants: Vargas Vallakovich, Fiona Wachter, Father Lucian Petrovich, Urwin Martikov

Politics

Ruling Type: Townmaster
Townmaster: Vargas Vallakovich (Formerly), Fiona Wachter (Formerly), Stefanie Martikov (Current)