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{{dombox
|picture=Jester-Barovia.png
|culture_lvl=Medieval
|ecology=Full
|terrain=Temperate forest, hill, mountains
|year_formed=[[351 BC]]
|population=27,700
|races=Humans 98%, half-Vistani 1%, Other 1%
|languages=[[Balok]], [[Luktar]], [[Vaasi]], [[Sithican]], [[Forfarian]], [[Thaani]]
|religions=[[Cult of the Morninglord]], [[Ezra]], [[Hala]], [[Erlin]]
|government=Feudal monarchy
|ruler=[[Count Strahd von Zarovich]]
|darklord=Count Strahd von Zarovich
|analog=Transylvania
|nationality=[[Barovian]]
}}
{{canon}}
 
Barovia is the first [[domain]] with which the [[Demiplane of Dread]] and [[the Core]] began, arising from the heinous actions [[Strahd von Zarovich]] in [[351 BC]]. Strahd has continued to rule the land and the dour [[Barovian]] people through a fake line of successive [[ruler]]s all bearing his name. In [[740 BC]], the [[Grand Conjunction]] dissolved the neighboring land of [[Gundarak]] and caused part of it to be absorbed by Barovia. Strahd's political annexation of Gundarak has caused an ethnic strife that continues to inflame conflict between the ethnic [[:category:Balok|Balok]] against the [[Gundarakites]].
 
Out of character, Barovia has always been at the heart of every version of Ravenloft, beginning with [[I6: Ravenloft]], the module that inspired the setting, all the way up to its most recent product, the 5e [[module]] [[Curse of Strahd]].
 
==Things, Creatures & Personnages of Legend==
 
*[[The Ba'al Verzi]]
 
*[[Balinoks]]
 
*[[Castle Ravenloft]]
 
*[[Madame Eva]]
 
*[[Strahd's Choking Fog]]
 
*[[Svalich Pass]]
 
*[[The Devil Strahd]]
 
==Biology==
 
===Flora===
 
*[[Bitterblot]]
 
*[[Vistan's Tears]]
 
===Fauna===
 
*[[Wolf]]
 
===Native Horrors===
 
*[[Bloodrose]]
 
*[[Nosferatu]]
 
*[[Vampire]]
====Wolves====
*[[Dire Wolf]]
 
*[[Worg]]
 
=====Lycanthropic=====
*[[Werewolf]]
 
*[[Lowland Loup-Garou]]
 
*[[Mountain Loup-Garou]]
 
==Geography==
[[File:Barovia.png|thumb|Barovia map by the [[MCS]].  ''Note: Since this fan-made map predates 3rd Edition Ravenloft, there are some inconsistencies with the more recent maps.'']]
===[[Weather]]===
 
===Terrain===
The terrain is mountainous and forested, winters are cold. A beautiful but hostile domain.
 
====Mountains & Hills====
*The [[Balinoks]] divide the Core into east and west. The bridge that rejoins them is Barovia. It is her [[Old Svalich Road]] and her [[Svalich Pass]] that bring east and west back into contact with each other for a few precious months each year.
 
*The [[Hills of Bleak Vistas]], called the [[Howling Hills]] by Nova Vaasans, are the eastern foothills of the Barovian [[Balinoks]]. They are thickly forested by the ''[[Graenseskov]]'' ("Borderwood"). It, however, comes to an end before the [[Old Svalich Road]] where the beech-firs of the [[Old Svalich Woods]] resolutely hold their ground.
 
*The [[Dreadmount]] are the northwestern foothills of the Barovian [[Balinoks]].
 
*The [[Bloodfang Hills]] are adjacent to [[Forlorn]].
 
*[[Bleak Sisters]]
 
====Forest====
 
*The [[Old Svalich Woods]] is a small forest of old growth beech-firs along the [[Old Svalich Road]] in [[Barovia]] from the [[Village of Barovia]] to the [[Nova Vaasa]]n frontier.
 
*The ''[[Graenseskov]]'' ("[[Borderwood]]") grows thickly on the lower slopes of the eastern foothills of the Balinoks in Barovia and well out onto the flatter land of [[Nova Vaasa]] beyond them. Its upper reaches are known to Barovians as the [[Hills of Bleak Vistas]] and to the Nova Vaasans as the [[Howling Hills]]. The northern boundary of the forest lies a little south of the [[Old Svalich Road]] where the beech-firs of the [[Old Svalich Woods]] resolutely hold their ground. The southern limit extends at least to the border of Hazlani frontier but perhaps continues into [[Hazlan]] itself.
 
====Lakes====
 
*[[Lake Zarovich]]
 
*Nameless? lake at adjacent to [[Immol]]
 
 
===Landmarks===
*[[Castle Ravenloft]]
 
*The [[Gates of Barovia]] guarding, symbolically at least, the [[Svalich Pass]]
 
*[[Tser Falls]]
 
===Communication===
====Rivers====
*The [[Ivlis River]]
 
*The [[Ulvand River]] cuts a path through the ''[[Graenseskov]]'' ("Borderwood"), roaring down the [[Howling Hills]] and into [[Nova Vaasa]], its source being ''[[Terestrãu]]'' ("Mount Sawtooth"). The [[Ivlis River]] is joined from the south by the Ulvand, a little south-east of [[Bergovitsa]], along the [[Vaere Bange Road]], ultimately draining into the the [[Nocturnal Sea]] halfway between [[Arbora]] and [[Egertus]] via the [[Storrokke Canyon]]. The Ulvand is far too steep for navigation of any sort.
 
*The [[Saniset River]] has its source in summer melt waters from ''[[Terestrãu]]'' ("Mount Sawtooth") in south-eastern Barovia that feed the lake adjacent to [[Immol]]. From Barovia the Saniset rushes down onto the [[Ensommark]] ("[[Lonely Plain]]") of [[Hazlan]], flows east by southeast to [[Sly-Var]], passes just north of the [[Skyggeskov]] ("Shadowwood") as it crosses the border into [[Nova Vaasa]], and flows gently to the sea. The upper reaches of the Saniset are unnavigable, even on a small raft, given its swiftness, rapids, and gravel bars.
 
*The [[Luna River]]
 
====Roads====
*[[Old Svalich Road]]
 
====Mistways====
 
*The [[Outlander's Gate]] (one-way, poor reliability) from outside of the [[Land of Mists]] to southern Barovia
 
''Note: The [[Bleak Road]] does not lead to or from Barovia,  but rather the [[Misty Border]] south of [[Arbora]] in southern [[Nova Vaasa]]. This is treated in the errata. "Charted Mistways sidebar: The Bleak Road should connect “Southern Nova Vaasa — Northern Vorostokov”, and not Barovia!>(Errata)"''
 
===Frontiers===
====The [[Shadow Rift]]====
 
*[[Mount Baratak]]
 
====[[Nova Vaasa]]====
 
*The ''[[Dyrskov]]'' ("[[Beastwood]]") fronts the Barovian frontier a little north of the [[Old Svalich Road]] to the edge of the [[Shadow Rift]] and fronts the [[Shadow Rift]] to a little south of the [[Borchava River]]. It covers the southern half of the [[Vaesen Foothills]] that themselves fronted the Balinoks of vanished [[Markovia]].
 
*The [[Old Svalich Woods]]
 
*The ''[[Graenseskov]]'' ("[[Borderwood]]") grows thickly on the lower slopes of the eastern foothills of the Balinoks in Barovia and well out onto the flatter land of [[Nova Vaasa]] beyond them. Its upper reaches are known to Barovians as the [[Hills of Bleak Vistas]] and to the Nova Vaasans as the [[Howling Hills]]. The northern boundary of the forest lies a little south of the [[Old Svalich Road]] where the beech-firs of the [[Old Svalich Woods]] resolutely hold their ground. The southern limit extends at least to the border of Hazlani frontier but perhaps continues into [[Hazlan]] itself.
 
====[[Hazlan]]====
 
====[[Forlorn]]====
 
====[[Kartakass]]====
 
====[[Sithicus]]====
 
====[[Invidia]]====
 
====[[Borca]]====
 
===The [[Great Upheaval]]===
 
Barovia was impacted not insignificantly by the [[Great Upheaval]]. The land's chokehold over east-west trade was greatly strengthened by the cutting of the [[Timori Road]]. The disappearance of [[Markovia]] from its northern frontier would have been welcomed if only it had been replaced by something less ominous than the [[Shadow Rift]]. The disappearance of [[Bluetspur]] from its southern frontier was an indisputable boon. And the relocation of [[Hazlan]] from its central eastern and southern eastern frontiers to its southern frontier did little more than change the direction of travel from [[Immol]] to [[Toyalis]].
 
===Population Distrubtion===
 
====Towns====
 
* [[Vallaki]] (pop. 1547)
 
* [[Immol]] (pop. 1623)
 
* [[Cuzau]] is a town near [[Hoessla]]
 
* [[Hoessla]] is [[Cuzau]]
 
====Villages====
 
*The [[Village of Barovia]] (pop. 535)
 
*[[Renika]] is a village where in 348 BC [[Strahd]] had its [[Burgomaster of Renika | burgomaster]] executed for withholding taxes.
 
*[[Jarvinak]] is a village three or four miles from [[Renika]].<ref>[[I, Strahd]] p. 60</ref>
 
*[[Berez]] is a village on the Luna river several miles south of [[Vallaki]].
 
==Authority==
 
===[[Darklord]]===
 
*[[Strahd von Zarovich]]
 
===Temporal Ruler===
 
The current and undisputed ruler of Barovia is [[Count Strahd von Zarovich XI]]. The Zaroviches have ruled Barovia in an unbroken line for as long as history recounts, although doing so more than once in the teeth of enemy invasion. The name "Strahd" has been used by the last eleven counts, a want of creativity or perhaps a meglamania, that was previously absent. 
 
===Spiritual Ruler===
 
No religion has been sanctioned by the Zarovich line in centuries, indeed religion is discouraged in Barovia. Additionally, the Barovians have long felt abandon by the divine. [[The Morning Lord]] is making some progress towards reversing the last situation.
 
===Church and State===
 
It has been centuries since the rule of Barovia's temporal leaders was recognised by a spiritual authority. Likewise, it has been centuries since the rule of Barovia's spiritual leaders was enforced by a temporal authority. A classical theologico-political arrangement ceased to exist in Barovia during the reign of [[Count Strahd von Zarovich I]].
 
===Government===
 
At the local level by [[boyars]] in each town or village.
 
===Law===
 
===Law-Enforcement===
 
===Information Gathering===
The Vistani
 
===Military Footing===
 
Fighting the [[Gundarakite Resistance]] following the successful annexation of half the former land of [[Gundarak]].
 
Possible [[army]] of skeletons and zombies hidden and at the ready.
 
==Language & Culture==
 
Balok
 
===Mouning===
Barovian females wear black for five years after the death of even their most distant relatives, lending a universal drabness to their dress.
 
===Fashion===
Barovian females wear black for five years after the death of even their most distant relatives, lending a universal drabness to their dress.
 
==[[Inn | Inns]] & [[Tavern | Taverns]]==
 
===[[Immol]]===
*[[The Bolting Stag]]
 
===[[Village of Barovia]]===
*[[Blood o' the Vine Inn]]
*[[Wolf's Den]]
 
===[[Vallaki]]===
*[[Blue Water Inn]]
 
===The [[Nova Vaasan Frontier]]===
*[[The Weary Horse Inn]]
 
==Chronology==
* [[1 BC]] Nation of [[Barovia]] forged of independent city-states by the [[von Zarovich family]].<ref>[[Gazetteer I]], p. 15.</ref>
* [[168 BC]] Founding of the [[Church of Andral]].<ref>[[Gaz 1]], p 16.</ref>
* [[230 BC]] Approximate date of the invasion of the [[The Neureni Horde|Neureni Horde]].<ref>[[Gaz 1]], p 16.</ref>
* [[299 BC]] Strahd is born.<ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref><ref name="R3e p.12">[[Ravenloft Third Edition]] p.12</ref><ref name="RPHB p.14">[[Ravenloft Player's Handbook]] p. 14</ref>
*[[314 BC]] The [[War of Silver Knives]], a conflict between the [[Dilisnya Family|Dilisnya]]s, [[Katksky Family|Katskies]], and the [[Petrovna Family|Petrovnas]], purportedly begins with [[the Assassination of Lady Izabela Dilisnya]].<ref name=GazIp15>[[Gazetteer I]] p.15</ref> [[Pidlwik Dilisnya]], her son, swears a vendetta against the foes of the family.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 15">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.15</ref>
*[[316 BC]] [[Count Barov von Zarovich]] commands an end to the War of Silver Knives and appeases the warring parties with gifts of land, though the war will still fragment [[Barovia]] in the face of the [[Terg]] invasion to come. Pidlwik bears lingering resentment for Barov as a result.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 15">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.15</ref>
* [[320 BC]] Strahd gains the military rank of [[general]].<ref name="R3e p.12">[[Ravenloft Third Edition]] p.12</ref><ref name="RPHB p.14">[[Ravenloft Player's Handbook]] p. 14</ref>
* [[320 BC]] [[Terg|Tergs]] invade [[Barovia]].<ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref><ref name="Gaz I p. 17">[[Gaz 1]], p 17.</ref>
* [[321 BC]] [[Strahd von Zarovich]] takes the [[Barovian]] troops to war against the [[Tergs]] for the sovereignty of [[Barovia]].<ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref><ref name="RLCS p.17">[[Ravenloft Third Edition]] p.17</ref><ref name="RLPHB p.19">[[Ravenloft Player's Handbook]] p.19</ref>
* [[326 BC]] The [[Siege of Krezk]] occurs.<ref name="Gaz I p. 17">[[Gaz 1]], p 17.</ref>
* [[341 BC]] The [[Bright Blade]] is given to [[Sergei von Zarovich]] as he joins the [[Church of Andral]].<ref name="Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p. 118">[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p. 118</ref>
* [[346 BC]] [[Count Barov von Zarovich|Count Barov]] and [[Countess Ravenia von Zarovich]] slain by [[Terg|Tergs]].<ref name="Gaz I p. 17">[[Gaz 1]], p 17.</ref>
* [[347 BC]][[Strahd]] makes a pact with [[Inajira]] right before a critical battle with the [[Tergs]].<ref name="Gazetteer I p. 142>[[Gazetteer I]] p.142</ref>
* [[347 BC]] Last of the [[Terg|Tergs]] driven from [[Barovia]].<ref name="Gaz I p. 17">[[Gaz 1]], p 17.</ref><ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref> Strahd takes the rule over Barovia as the prize for his victory.<ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref>
* [[348 BC]] Strahd orders the [[execution]] of the [[burgomaster]] of [[Renika]] for withholding taxes. The choice of a replacement is left to the people of Renik itself.<ref>[[I, Strahd]] p. 51-60</ref>
* [[349 BC]] [[Castle Ravenloft]] completed.<ref name="Gaz I p. 17">[[Gaz 1]], p 17.</ref> [[Strahd]] assumes [[residence]] there.<ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref>
* [[350 BC]] [[Count Strahd von Zarovich]], [[Commander Alek Gwilym]], [[Sergei von Zarovich]], and [[Lieutenant Falov]] lead a military strike force to defeat [[Red Lukas]] and his gang of [[bandit]]s.<ref name="I, Strahd p. 73-85">[[I, Strahd]] p.73-85</ref>
* [[350 BC]] [[Most High Priest Kir]] dies creating [[the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind]]. [[Sergei von Zarovich]] succeds him as high priest of Andral.<ref name="VotM p. 247">[[Vampire of the Mists]] p.247</ref>
* [[350 BC]] The [[Ba'al Verzi]] try and fail to assassinate [[Count Strahd von Zarovich]].<ref name="Gaz I p. 17">[[Gaz 1]], p 17.</ref>
* [[351 BC]] [[Barovia]] forms due the actions of [[Strahd von Zarovich]].<ref>[[Gaz 1]], pp 10, 16.</ref><ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref><ref name="I, Strahd">[[I, Strahd]]</ref> [[Strahd]] turns into a [[vampire]].<ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref><ref name="I, Strahd">[[I, Strahd]]</ref>
* {{Homebrew non-canon-small}}[[351 BC]] A [[comet]] shines in the [[Barovian]] sky during the fermenting season. Hence, the year is known as [[The Year of the Comet]].  [[Barovian Red]], a local wine, marked the [[event]] with labels bearing the image of the [[comet]].<ref name=ref1>[http://fraternityofshadows.com/TheCemetery.html Alanik Ray's library archive]</ref> 
* [[352 BC]] [[Strahd]] flexes his muscles to show domination over [[Barovia]].<ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref><ref name="I, Strahd">[[I, Strahd]]</ref>
* [[398 BC]] [[Count Strahd von Zarovich]] confronts [[Lord Leo Dilisnya]] at the [[Monastery of Silver Threads]], walking into Lord Dilisnya's trap. Strahd is almost put down, but the [[monk]]s of the [[monastery]] act to turn the tide of battle. Strahd turns Lord Leo Dilisnya into a [[vampire]] and [[Imprisoned|imprisons]] him in a [[The Tomb of Leo Dilisnya|tomb]] to starve from a lack of [[blood]].<ref name="Gaz I p.13">[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.13</ref><ref name="I, Strahd">[[I, Strahd]]</ref>
* [[399 BC]] [[Jezra Wagner]] is born.<ref name="MCI&II p.113, died at the age of 27 some 75 years after Barovia became a domain">[[Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium I & II]] p. 113, "died at the age of 27 some 75 years" after Barovia became a domain</ref>
* [[400 BC]] First known [[reincarnation]] of [[Tatyana]].<ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref><ref name="I, Strahd">[[I, Strahd]]</ref>
* [[426 BC]] '''Winter''': [[Jezra Wagner]] perishes on [[Mt. Baratok]] and becomes a heat-draining [[spectre]].<ref name="MCI&II p.113, died at the age of 27 some 75 years after Barovia became a domain">[[Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium I & II]] p. 113, "died at the age of 27 some 75 years" after Barovia became a domain</ref>
*According to a version of [[Strahd]]'s diary ready by [[van Richten]] in [[736 BC]], [[Alina]], the second [[:category:Reincarnation of Tatyana Federovna|reincarnation of Tatyana Federovna]] dies of [[fever]] in this year of 445 BC. [[Count Strahd]] attempts [[suicide]] with Alina in  hand, but [[the Mists]] prevent him and snatch away her [[corpse]].<ref name="I, Strahd: The War Against Azalin">[[I, Strahd: The War Against Azalin]]</ref> However, this goes against a version of Strahd's diary read by [[Jander Sunstar]] that says Tatyana's second reincarnation was [[Olya Ivanova]] who died 30 years later in [[475 BC]]<ref>[[Vampire of the Mists]] p. 266-267</ref>
* Sometime between [[450 BC]] and [[460 BC]]: [[Gregorri Kolyan]] the [[bard]] is held captive by Strahd fo several years. Kolyan is ultimately let go with the story of Strahd's past.<ref>[[Van Richten's Guide to Vampires]] p.6-9</ref><ref>[[Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium I]] p.10-13</ref>
* [[470 BC]] The [[Vistani]] appear in [[Barovia]] for the first time.<ref name="Gaz I p. 17">[[Gaz 1]], p 17.</ref>
* [[470 BC]] [[Madame Eva and Strahd form an alliance]].<ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref>
* [[475 BC]] [[Martyn Pelkar]] is drawn into [[Barovia]], bringing tales of a "golden morning lord."<ref>[[Gaz 1]], p 18.</ref> At first the boy is called [[mad]], but Martyn's stories of whom he called [[the Morninglord]] would sprout a full [[Cult of the Morninglord]] among the [[Barovian]]s<ref name="R3e p.13">[[Ravenloft Third Edition]] p.13</ref>, which history shows as appearing that same year.<ref name="R3e p.17">[[Ravenloft Third Edition]] p.17</ref> The figure protective figure Martyn encounters is not actually [[Lathander]], but rather [[Jander Sunstar]], whom was also a new arrival in Ravenloft.<ref name="Vampire of the Mists">[[Vampire of the Mists]]</ref>
* [[485 BC]] [[Petya]] and [[Anastasia Petrovich]] killed by [[Strahd]]<ref name="VotM">[[VotM]]</ref>
* [[495 BC]] [[Jacqueline Montarri]] murders [[Madame Eva]] and is horrifically cursed. [[Madame Maruschka]] becomes the new [[raunie]] of the [[Zarovan]] tribe. (Note that Madame Eva is still seen after this; this can be accounted for by her tribe’s [[Non-Linear Existence | existence in non-linear time]].) <ref>[[VotM]] pg. 284: “died four years ago.” [[RLMC I&II]] pp. 89-90: tells us how it happened.</ref>
* [[499 BC]] [[Alexi "Sasha" Petrovich]], [[Leisl]], and [[Jander Sunstar]] assault [[Castle Ravenloft]] drive [[Strahd]] into hibernation.<ref name="VotM">[[VotM]]</ref>
* [[525 BC]] [[Lyssa von Zarovich]] is born.<ref name="Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p. 34">[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.34</ref>
* [[528 BC]] [[Outlander]] [[adventurer]]s assault [[Castle Ravenloft]] and are destroyed.<ref name="Gaz I p.18">[[Gazetteer I]] p.18</ref><ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref><ref>[[House of Strahd]]</ref>
* [[542 BC]] [[Azalin]] enters [[Ravenloft]] and arrives in [[Barovia]].<ref name="GazII p.135">[[Gazetteer II]] p.135</ref><ref>[[King of the Dead]]</ref><ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref> Reluctantly, he serves [[Strahd]] for a time.<ref name="King of the Dead">[[King of the Dead]]</ref><ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref>
* [[542 BC]] [[Strahd]] discusses the potential threat [[Azalin]] poses with [[Madame Ilka]], the new raunie of the [[Zarovan]] tribe ([[Maruschka]] having apparently died at some point in the last 40 years).  <ref>[[I, Strahd, The War Against Azalin]] - p71, pp109-117, pp167-171</ref>
</onlyinclude>
* [[547 BC]] [[Forlorn]] appears.<ref>[[Gazetteer I]] p.63</ref> Strahd sends Azalin to investigate, but nothing of value to them is found.<ref>[[Gazetteer I]] p.73-74</ref>
* [[550 BC]] [[Lyssa von Zarovich]] becomes a [[vampire]] and discovers a way to achieve the power of a vampire much greater than her age.<ref name="Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p. 34">[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.34</ref>
* [[550 BC]] *In this approximate [[year]], [[Forfarian]] [[survivor]]s stream over the border from [[Forlorn]] to [[Barovia]] and end up settling in [[Immol]].<ref name="Gazetter I p.18">[[Gazetteer I]] p.18</ref>
* [[579 BC]] [[Strahd]] and [[Azalin]] create a [[portal]] to [[Mordent]]<ref name="GazII p.135">[[Gazetteer II]] p.135</ref>, where [[The Alchemist]] conducts strange research on changing the soul.<ref>[[I10: Ravenloft II: The House on Gryphon Hill]]</ref> [[The Mists]] snatch up [[Mordent]] before either [[Strahd]] or [[Azalin]] can make good their escape, leaving them with only hazy dream-like recollections of what happened.<ref name="GazII p.135">[[Gazetteer II]] p.135</ref>
* [[579 BC]] [[Azalin]] leaves the service of [[Strahd]].<ref name="King of the Dead">[[King of the Dead]]</ref><ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref> [[Darkon]] forms.<ref name="Gazetteer II p. 9">[[Gazetteer II]] p.9</ref><ref name="King of the Dead">[[King of the Dead]]</ref><ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref>
* [[580 BC]] A [[Barovian]] [[militia]] established by [[Boyar Yersinia Wachter]] and led by [[Aldrick Wachter]] repels an invading party of [[Azalin]]'s [[undead]].<ref>[[I, Strahd: The War Against Azalin]]</ref>
* [[581 BC]] [[Bluetspur]] appears.<ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref><ref name="RLCS p.17">[[Ravenloft Third Edition]] p.17</ref><ref name="RLPHB p.19">[[Ravenloft Player's Handbook]] p.19</ref>
* [[585 BC]] [[Thaani]] stream into [[Barovia]] from [[Bluetspur]].<ref name="Gazetter I p.18">[[Gazetteer I]] p.18</ref>
* [[593 BC]] The domain of [[Gundarak]] appears.<ref name="Gaz I p.18">[[Gazetteer I]] p.18</ref><ref name="DoD p.16">[[Domains of Dread]] p.16</ref>
* [[593 BC]] First known contact between [[Barovian]]s and [[Gundarakite]]s.<ref name="Gaz I p.18">[[Gazetteer I]] p.18</ref>
* [[613 BC]] (approximately) Strahd encounters [[Harkon Lukas]] running amok in Barovia and thoroughly thrashes him, forcing Harkon to flee into [[the Mists]].<ref>[[Domains of Dread]] p.16, 64</ref>
* {{netbook-small}}[[656 BC]] [[Tiryn Olenka-Blaas]], future [[founder]] of the [[Celestines]], is born.<ref name="USS 2002 p. 127">[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.127</ref>
* {{netbook-small}}[[756 BC]] After his parents [[murder]] [[Erich Reinhold]] and hold a [[funeral]] for him, Erich rises from the grave [[:Category:Vrykolaka Vampire|vrykolaka vampire]]. He [[murders]] everyone at [[Reinhold Manor]]. Reinhold begins haunting the [[hills]] of Soutwestern [[Barovia]].<ref name="USS 2003 p. 110-111">[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2003]] p. 110-111</ref>
* [[697 BC]]  After the [[The Ba'al Verzi | Ba'al Verzi]] assassins botch several attempts on his life, [[Boyar Nicu Moldonesti]] seizes control of the organization,  and he [[enslaved|enslaves]] many of its master [[assassin | assassins]].<ref name="Gazetteer I p. 35">[[Gazetteer I]] p.35</ref>
* [[718 BC]] [[Tara Kolyana]] is born. Not too long thereafter, her parents flee [[Barovia]] to go to [[Hazlan]].<ref name="Gazetteer I p. 144">[[Gazetteer I]] p.144</ref>
* [[720 BC]] [[Soth]] arrives in Ravenloft<ref name="DoD p.17">[[Domains of Dread]] p.17</ref>, slays the tribe of [[Magda Ilyanova Kulchevich]], encounters [[Strahd]], and meets [[Azrael]].
* [[720 BC]] [[Azrael Dak]] slays [[Medraut Gundar]].
* {{netbook-small}}[[730 BC]] [[Ardonk Szerieza]] is born.<ref name="Book of Souls p. 70">[[Book of Souls (Netbook)]] p. 70</ref>
* {{netbook-small}} [[733 BC]] [[Boyar Invich]] marries [[Mina Invich|an Invidian noble named Mina]], much to her chagrin.<ref>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2003]] p.121</ref>
* [[735 BC]] Count Strahd von Zarmovich's current guise, Count Strahd von Zarovmich XI]], "ascends to power".<ref name="Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p. 28">[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.28</ref>
* [[735 BC]] [[Tara Kolyana]] experiences her first brush with the supernatural with an [[afflicted lycanthrope|afflicted]] [[werewolf]]. After witnessing the man become [[cured]], Tara resolves to help people throughout the [[Land of Mists]]. Her parents make her promise to never to go to [[Barovia]].<ref name="Gazetteer I p. 144">[[Gazetteer I]] p.144</ref>
* {{netbook-small}}[[735 BC]] By this year, [[Tiryn Olenka-Blaas]] has discovered and disseminated enough knowledge to gather a crowd of curious stargazer disciples around her. Labeled as [[heretic]]s and associated in the public eye with the [[Terg]] [[astrology]], the Celestines grow closer together and soldier on despite the threat of persecution.<ref name="USS 2002 p. 127">[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.127</ref>
* [[736 BC]] [[Duke Gundar]] is [[assassinated]].<ref name="Gaz I p.19">[[Gaz 1]] p 19</ref><ref name="DoD p.17">[[Domains of Dread]] p.17</ref>
* {{netbook-small}}[[736 BC]] An [[:Category:Unnamed|unknown]] [[Gundarakite]] [[commoner]] [[family]] are [[murdered]] in a [[fire]] caused by an unknown stranger. One of the [[victim]]s becomes a terrible [[geist]] known as [[The Screaming Flame]] as a result.<ref>[[Traumatized Spirits]], [[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.143 </ref>
* {{netbook-small}}[[736 BC]] The [[hag]] [[Magravelle]] attacks [[Invich Manor]] (near [[Vallaki]] in the mistaken belief that [[Imix]], [[traitor]] to their [[coven]], has received shelter there. Magravelle [[murder]]s Boyar Imix and severely [[:category:disfigured|disfigures]] [[Mina Invich]]. However, Imix  takes Magravelle by surprise and kills her, saving Mina.<ref>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2003]] p.122</ref>
* [[739 BC]] [[Lyssa von Zarovich]] conspires with [[Bluetspurean]] [[illithid]]s to create a [[illithid vampire|vampiric version of their race]]. She hopes to use these vampire mind flayers to take over [[Barovia]], but she ultimately fails.<ref name="Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p. 34">[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.34</ref><ref>[[Thoughts of Darkness]]</ref>
* [[740 BC]] '''[[The Great Upheaval]]'''.
* [[740 BC]]{{netbook-small}} The Grand Conjunction rearranges much of the celestial bodies, causing the starmaps of [[the Celestines]] to become innacurate. Tiryn Olenka-Blaas dies, but her former pupils carry on her work. A falling star leads [[Astrilax diCorvi]] to a hilly set of [[ruins]] just out of [[Vallaki]]. The Celestines build [[Midway Haven]], the first [[Secret Observatory|Celestine Observatory]] there.<ref name="USS 2002 p. 128">[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.128</ref>
* [[740 BC]] [[Strahd]] begins the annexation of [[Gundarak]].<ref name="Gaz I p.19">[[Gaz 1]] p 19</ref>
* {{netbook-small}}[[745 BC]] By this year, [[the Celestines]] have star-maps for [[the Core|the entire Core]]. They also discover that they could relate celestial events to earthly events and use the former to predict the latter.<ref name="USS 2002 p. 128">[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.128</ref>
* [[750 BC]] [[Strahd]] poisons [[Lyssa von Zarovich]] into a slumbering state that leaves her active for only a few hours each night.<ref name="Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p. 34">[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.34</ref> The [[poison]] is delivered via the [[blood]] of the [[dread flesh golem]] [[Tom]] (created by [[Emil Bollenbach]]) that acts as a stand-in for a [[human]] she hoped to enslave.<ref name="CotN:V p.21-26">[[Children of the Night: Vampires]] p.21-26</ref>
* [[750 BC]] The Bright Blade vanishes from the possession of the [[Weathermay-Foxgrove Twins]] shortly after [[Dr. Van Richten]] vanishes.<ref name="Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p. 118">[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p. 118</ref>
* [[753 BC]]: On his deathbed, [[Tara Kolyana]]'s father expresses how proud he is of her and tells her of the [[:category:prophecy|prophecy]] the [[Vistani]] gave about her and why they left [[Barovia]].<ref name="Gazetteer I p. 144">[[Gazetteer I]] p.144</ref>
* [[753 BC]]: [[Count Strahd von Zarovich]] personally [[execution|executes]] [[Burgomaster Shaithis Vosrovna]] for goating [[adventurer]]s into the [[murder]] of one of the [[Vistani]].<ref>[[Ravenloft Gazetteer I]], p35.</ref>
* [[754 BC]] [[The Resurrection of Erlin]] ([[Dread Possibility]]): [[Emanuel Maryszkas]] calls upon the power of [[Erlin]] for succor against [[Barovian]] pursuers. His prayer are answered, and his pursuers are driven away by [[unholy]] power.<ref name="Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p. 26">[[Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I]] p.26</ref>
* [[755 BC]] [[Pyoor Twohundredsummers]] dies of natural causes and is succeeded by [[Keeva Sixtywinters]] as leader of the [[Keepers of the Black Feather]].<ref name="Gaz I p.38">[[Gazetteer I]] p.38</ref>
* The [[Coursers of Chaos]], a group of [[:category:Gundarakite Rebel|Gundarakite rebels]] ram a wagon full of [[gunpowder]] into the [[Barovian]] military garrison in [[Zeidenburg]], blowing up the facility. This act of violence ignites greater [[Barovian]]-[[Gundarakite]] conflict within Zeidenburg and beyond. In addition, the incident seemingly confirms widely-held suspicions linking the Zeindenburg [[rebel]]s to [[Gabrielle Aderre]] and the Gundarakite forces holding [[Castle Hunadora]] in [[Invidia]], where the gunpowder is said to have been smuggled in from.<ref name="Gazetteer I p. 19, 33">[[Gazetteer I]] p. 19, 33</ref>
* {{netbook-small}}[[755 BC]] [[The Effigy of Ivan Szimin]] animates as a [[dread golem|dread]] [[wood golem]] thanks to the actions of [[Ardonk Szerieza (NPC)|Ardonk Szerieza]] and his fellow [[rebel]]s.<ref name="Book of Souls p. 90a">[[Book of Souls (Netbook)]] p. 90; [[source]] says that hatred of the [[boyar]]s had been growing in the men for the past 15 years. The year of the Gundarakite Annexation was [[740 BC]].</ref>
 
{{MCS}}
{{ref}}
 
[[Category:Canon Domain]]
[[Category:domain]]
[[category:CL 7 Domain]]
[[Category:The Core]]
[[Category:Annexer]]
[[Category:Occupier]]
[[Category:Conqueror]]
[[Category:Invader]]
[[Category:Choke Point]]
[[Category:Barovian]]
[[category:Principality]]
 
==Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue==
 
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'''WIKISEED FROM CATALOGUE :''' Ruled by [[Count Strahd von Zarovich]]''(Please edit freely, then remove this note and WIKISEED label)''
[[category:Temperate Climate]]
 
'''WIKISEED FROM CATALOGUE :''' Located in the [[Balinok Mountains]]''(Please edit freely, then remove this note and WIKISEED label)''

Latest revision as of 13:07, 12 January 2024

Barovia
Culture Level Medieval
Ecology Full
Climate & Terrain Temperate forest, hill, mountains
Year Formed 351 BC
Population 27,700
Races (%) Humans 98%, half-Vistani 1%, Other 1%
Languages Balok, Luktar, Vaasi, Sithican, Forfarian, Thaani
Religions Cult of the Morninglord, Ezra, Hala, Erlin
Government Feudal monarchy
Ruler(s) Count Strahd von Zarovich
Darklord(s) Count Strahd von Zarovich
Nationality Barovian
Analog Transylvania
Related Categories
Locations in Barovia
Transportation in Barovia
Inhabitants of Barovia
Former Inhabitants of Barovia
Flora of Barovia
Fauna of Barovia
Native Monsters of Barovia

Barovia is the first domain with which the Demiplane of Dread and the Core began, arising from the heinous actions Strahd von Zarovich in 351 BC. Strahd has continued to rule the land and the dour Barovian people through a fake line of successive rulers all bearing his name. In 740 BC, the Grand Conjunction dissolved the neighboring land of Gundarak and caused part of it to be absorbed by Barovia. Strahd's political annexation of Gundarak has caused an ethnic strife that continues to inflame conflict between the ethnic Balok against the Gundarakites.

Out of character, Barovia has always been at the heart of every version of Ravenloft, beginning with I6: Ravenloft, the module that inspired the setting, all the way up to its most recent product, the 5e module Curse of Strahd.

Things, Creatures & Personnages of Legend

Biology

Flora

Fauna

Native Horrors

Wolves

Lycanthropic

Geography

Barovia map by the MCS. Note: Since this fan-made map predates 3rd Edition Ravenloft, there are some inconsistencies with the more recent maps.

Weather

Terrain

The terrain is mountainous and forested, winters are cold. A beautiful but hostile domain.

Mountains & Hills

  • The Balinoks divide the Core into east and west. The bridge that rejoins them is Barovia. It is her Old Svalich Road and her Svalich Pass that bring east and west back into contact with each other for a few precious months each year.

Forest

  • The Graenseskov ("Borderwood") grows thickly on the lower slopes of the eastern foothills of the Balinoks in Barovia and well out onto the flatter land of Nova Vaasa beyond them. Its upper reaches are known to Barovians as the Hills of Bleak Vistas and to the Nova Vaasans as the Howling Hills. The northern boundary of the forest lies a little south of the Old Svalich Road where the beech-firs of the Old Svalich Woods resolutely hold their ground. The southern limit extends at least to the border of Hazlani frontier but perhaps continues into Hazlan itself.

Lakes

  • Nameless? lake at adjacent to Immol


Landmarks

Communication

Rivers

  • The Saniset River has its source in summer melt waters from Terestrãu ("Mount Sawtooth") in south-eastern Barovia that feed the lake adjacent to Immol. From Barovia the Saniset rushes down onto the Ensommark ("Lonely Plain") of Hazlan, flows east by southeast to Sly-Var, passes just north of the Skyggeskov ("Shadowwood") as it crosses the border into Nova Vaasa, and flows gently to the sea. The upper reaches of the Saniset are unnavigable, even on a small raft, given its swiftness, rapids, and gravel bars.

Roads

Mistways

Note: The Bleak Road does not lead to or from Barovia, but rather the Misty Border south of Arbora in southern Nova Vaasa. This is treated in the errata. "Charted Mistways sidebar: The Bleak Road should connect “Southern Nova Vaasa — Northern Vorostokov”, and not Barovia!>(Errata)"

Frontiers

The Shadow Rift

Nova Vaasa

  • The Graenseskov ("Borderwood") grows thickly on the lower slopes of the eastern foothills of the Balinoks in Barovia and well out onto the flatter land of Nova Vaasa beyond them. Its upper reaches are known to Barovians as the Hills of Bleak Vistas and to the Nova Vaasans as the Howling Hills. The northern boundary of the forest lies a little south of the Old Svalich Road where the beech-firs of the Old Svalich Woods resolutely hold their ground. The southern limit extends at least to the border of Hazlani frontier but perhaps continues into Hazlan itself.

Hazlan

Forlorn

Kartakass

Sithicus

Invidia

Borca

The Great Upheaval

Barovia was impacted not insignificantly by the Great Upheaval. The land's chokehold over east-west trade was greatly strengthened by the cutting of the Timori Road. The disappearance of Markovia from its northern frontier would have been welcomed if only it had been replaced by something less ominous than the Shadow Rift. The disappearance of Bluetspur from its southern frontier was an indisputable boon. And the relocation of Hazlan from its central eastern and southern eastern frontiers to its southern frontier did little more than change the direction of travel from Immol to Toyalis.

Population Distrubtion

Towns

Villages

  • Berez is a village on the Luna river several miles south of Vallaki.

Authority

Darklord

Temporal Ruler

The current and undisputed ruler of Barovia is Count Strahd von Zarovich XI. The Zaroviches have ruled Barovia in an unbroken line for as long as history recounts, although doing so more than once in the teeth of enemy invasion. The name "Strahd" has been used by the last eleven counts, a want of creativity or perhaps a meglamania, that was previously absent.

Spiritual Ruler

No religion has been sanctioned by the Zarovich line in centuries, indeed religion is discouraged in Barovia. Additionally, the Barovians have long felt abandon by the divine. The Morning Lord is making some progress towards reversing the last situation.

Church and State

It has been centuries since the rule of Barovia's temporal leaders was recognised by a spiritual authority. Likewise, it has been centuries since the rule of Barovia's spiritual leaders was enforced by a temporal authority. A classical theologico-political arrangement ceased to exist in Barovia during the reign of Count Strahd von Zarovich I.

Government

At the local level by boyars in each town or village.

Law

Law-Enforcement

Information Gathering

The Vistani

Military Footing

Fighting the Gundarakite Resistance following the successful annexation of half the former land of Gundarak.

Possible army of skeletons and zombies hidden and at the ready.

Language & Culture

Balok

Mouning

Barovian females wear black for five years after the death of even their most distant relatives, lending a universal drabness to their dress.

Fashion

Barovian females wear black for five years after the death of even their most distant relatives, lending a universal drabness to their dress.

Inns & Taverns

Immol

Village of Barovia

Vallaki

The Nova Vaasan Frontier

Chronology

This page incorporates content from the inactive Mordent Cartographic Society. Used with their express permission.

References

  1. ↑ I, Strahd p. 60
  2. ↑ Gazetteer I, p. 15.
  3. ↑ Gaz 1, p 16.
  4. ↑ Gaz 1, p 16.
  5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 Domains of Dread p.16
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Ravenloft Third Edition p.12
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Ravenloft Player's Handbook p. 14
  8. ↑ Gazetteer I p.15
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Gazetteer IV p.15
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 Gaz 1, p 17.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Ravenloft Third Edition p.17
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Ravenloft Player's Handbook p.19
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p. 118
  14. ↑ Gazetteer I p.142
  15. ↑ I, Strahd p. 51-60
  16. ↑ I, Strahd p.73-85
  17. ↑ Vampire of the Mists p.247
  18. ↑ Gaz 1, pp 10, 16.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 I, Strahd
  20. ↑ Alanik Ray's library archive
  21. ↑ Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p.13
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium I & II p. 113, "died at the age of 27 some 75 years" after Barovia became a domain
  23. ↑ I, Strahd: The War Against Azalin
  24. ↑ Vampire of the Mists p. 266-267
  25. ↑ Van Richten's Guide to Vampires p.6-9
  26. ↑ Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium I p.10-13
  27. ↑ Gaz 1, p 18.
  28. ↑ Ravenloft Third Edition p.13
  29. ↑ Ravenloft Third Edition p.17
  30. ↑ Vampire of the Mists
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 VotM
  32. ↑ VotM pg. 284: “died four years ago.” RLMC I&II pp. 89-90: tells us how it happened.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p.34
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 Gazetteer I p.18
  35. ↑ House of Strahd
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 Gazetteer II p.135
  37. ↑ King of the Dead
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 King of the Dead
  39. ↑ I, Strahd, The War Against Azalin - p71, pp109-117, pp167-171
  40. ↑ Gazetteer I p.63
  41. ↑ Gazetteer I p.73-74
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Gazetteer I p.18
  43. ↑ I10: Ravenloft II: The House on Gryphon Hill
  44. ↑ Gazetteer II p.9
  45. ↑ I, Strahd: The War Against Azalin
  46. ↑ Domains of Dread p.16, 64
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 Undead Sea Scrolls 2002 p.127
  48. ↑ Undead Sea Scrolls 2003 p. 110-111
  49. ↑ Gazetteer I p.35
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 50.2 Gazetteer I p.144
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 Domains of Dread p.17
  52. ↑ Book of Souls (Netbook) p. 70
  53. ↑ Undead Sea Scrolls 2003 p.121
  54. ↑ Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p.28
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 Gaz 1 p 19
  56. ↑ Traumatized Spirits, Undead Sea Scrolls 2002 p.143
  57. ↑ Undead Sea Scrolls 2003 p.122
  58. ↑ Thoughts of Darkness
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 Undead Sea Scrolls 2002 p.128
  60. ↑ Children of the Night: Vampires p.21-26
  61. ↑ Ravenloft Gazetteer I, p35.
  62. ↑ Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I p.26
  63. ↑ Gazetteer I p.38
  64. ↑ Gazetteer I p. 19, 33
  65. ↑ Book of Souls (Netbook) p. 90; source says that hatred of the boyars had been growing in the men for the past 15 years. The year of the Gundarakite Annexation was 740 BC.

Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue

Domains of Dread
Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I
I, Strahd, The War Against Azalin

Secrets of the Dread Realms - pp7,10-12,18,40
Ravenloft Third Edition - pp4,12-13,15,17,110,112-114
Domains of Dread - pp59-61
House of Strahd - pp14,18
The Ravenloft Campaign Setting:Domains and Denizens - pp7-10
Vampire of the Mists - throughout
Realm of Terror - pp63-65
Ravenloft I6 - pp6-7
Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I pp9-40
I, Strahd, The War Against Azalin - p38,pp42-43

Secrets of the Dread Realms - pp8-9
Domains of Dread - pp42-43
The Ravenloft Campaign Setting - poster map
Realm of Terror - poster map
Servants of Darkness - poster map
Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I - p12

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