Borca: Difference between revisions
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*[[Black Hourglass]] | *[[Black Hourglass]] | ||
==Chronology== | |||
*[[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> [[Pidlwick 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]] [[Leo Dilisnya]] is born. Like the rest of the children raised by Pidlwik, he will gain Pidlwik's hunter for [[power]] and hzgfic of the von Zaroviches.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 15">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.15</ref> | |||
*[[325 BC]] [[Barovian]] armies drive back the [[Terg]]s from [[Borjia]], leaving that [[region]] of [[Barovia]] to thrive when [[war]] engulfs the rest of the country for the next twenty or so years.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 15">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.15</ref> | |||
*[[347 BC]] Last of Tergs driven out of Barovia.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 15">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.15</ref> | |||
*[[349 BC]] Pidlwick dies<ref name=RoTp.123>[[Realm of Terror]] p.123</ref>, but Leo still carries his [[hatred]] and plots out a [[conspiracy]] against the Von Zaroviches.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 15">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.15</ref> | |||
*[[351 BC]] The [[nobility]] of Borjia leave for [[the Wedding of Sergei von Zarovich]]. Whereas the absence of Borjia's aristocracy was supposed to be only a matter of weeks, it turns out to be a matter of centuries. [[The Mists]] cover [[Barovia]], apparently due to the actions of Leo and his [[assassin]]s.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 15">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.15</ref> Modern [[Borcan]]s, whom trace their origins to the [[Borjia]] of the [[Prime Material Plane]], believe this marks the start of [[the Vacancy of Power]]. According to Borcan histories, during the Vacany of Power, Borca is [[imprisoned]] alone in [[the Mists]] due to the same curse that enveloped Barovia.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 16">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.16</ref> | |||
*[[684 BC]] [[Borca]] forms due to the actions [[Camille Dilisnya]]. Native [[Borcan]]s believe her to have delivered them from isolation in [[the Mists]], thus ending the 333 year epoch of the [[Vacancy of Power]]. As the then-apparent sole [[heir]] of the Dilisyna rule, she is given uncontested ownership of all Borcan [[land]]s.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 16">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.16</ref> | |||
*[[685 BC]] After [[Yakov Dilisnya]] convinces Camille to fund the construction of [[the Great Cathedral of Levkarest]], a location is selected and building begins. The [[Church of Ezra]]is spreading across Borca.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 17">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.17</ref> | |||
*[[698 BC]] The [[Dinner of Death]]. Yakov is among those [[poisoned]] by Camille. Blame upon her for the murder of their leader spreads far and wide among Ezra's faithful. Borca's streets erupt in open violence. Under advice, Camille quells the riots by building a monument to Yakov on church grounds and demonstrating great acts of (apparent) mourning.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 17">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.17</ref> | |||
*[[706 BC]] [[Falkovnia]] invades, expecting the conquest of Borca to mark an easy victory. However, Camille and her ilk make short work of the [[invader]]s by poisoning their [[food]] even before the [[invasion]]. Thus the event became known as the [[Widow's Massacre]].<ref name="Gaz IV p. 17">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.17</ref> | |||
*[[709 BC]] The degenerate and murderous [[sororicide]] [[Ivan Dilisnya]] is exiled to [[the Mists]]. [[Dovinia]], a kindred realm to Borca and also thought to be a part of ancient Borjia, forms with him as darklord.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 18">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.18</ref> Despite this date of formation, Dorvinians believe their realm emerged the same time as Borca.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 19">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.19</ref> | |||
*[[711 BC]] Camille is [[poisoned to death]] by her own daughter, [[Ivana Boritsi]], thus marking the exchange of power from mother to daughter.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 18">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.18</ref> | |||
{{MCS}} | {{MCS}} | ||
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
Revision as of 12:52, 5 February 2016
| Borca | |
|---|---|
| |
| Culture Level | Chivalric |
| Ecology | Full |
| Climate & Terrain | Temperate forest, hill, mountain |
| Year Formed | 684 BC |
| Population | 34,200 |
| Races (%) | Humans 95%, Halflings 4%, Other 1% |
| Languages | Balok, Mordentish, Falkovnian, Luktar, Halfling, |
| Religions | Church of Ezra, Church of Hala |
| Government | Aristocracy |
| Ruler(s) | Ivana Boritsi, Ivan Dilisnya |
| Darklord(s) | Ivana Boritsi |
| Nationality | Borcan |
| Analog | Romania, Italy |
| Related Categories | |
| Locations in Borca | |
| Transportation in Borca | |
| Inhabitants of Borca | |
| Former Inhabitants of Borca | |
| Flora of Borca | |
| Fauna of Borca | |
| Native Monsters of Borca | |
Canon Information
 |
This section contains canon info from officially published sources |
Borca is a nation ruled by noble poisoners, filled with poverty-crushed peasants, and ruthless social climbers. Loosely modeled after real-world Italy during the time of the Borgia family's rule, Borca is also the birthplace of the Church of Ezra. The ruler, Ivana Boritsi, is eternally young and beautiful, but her touch is death. Likewise, Borca is a land of pastoral beauty that is rotten and foul beneath the surface.
Borca was created for Camille Dilisnya, and passed to her daughter when Ivana assassinated Camille. During the Grand Conjunction in 740 BC, Borca absorbed neighboring Dorvinia, ruled by Ivana Boritsi's cousin Ivan Dilisnya. Born on the same night and sometimes called "the Dark Twins," the cousins had long corresponded and considered themselves close friends. After their countries merged and they were forced to become co-rulers, however, they grew to loathe one another.
Flora & Fauna
Geography
Small Cities
Large Towns
Small Towns
Hamlet
Chiara - Chiara was fallen upon by the Whistling Fiend.[1]
Authority
Temporal Rule
The Sefs
Ruled by Ivana Boritsi and Ivan Dilisnya
The Stapans
Spiritual Rule
The Church of Ezra has ruled the spiritual life of Borca since the church was founded by Yakov Dilisnya.
Contemporary
Church and State
Government
Law
Law-Enforcement
Extra-Judicial
Intelligence Gathering
Military Footing
Casus belli
Present
Future
Missing Dread Possibility from Gaz IV
Blood Banking
Many Borcan banking houses insist that a borrower fill a small vial with her own blood, which the banker keeps until the loan is repaid. Most folk believe this is merely a symbolic gesture or intimidation tactic. It often is, but a few bankers can call upon dark forces to enforce their contracts — or know someone who can. Should a borrower attempt to renege on her debts, the bankers can use sympathetic magic — a technique originally stolen from theVistani — to inflict grievous punishments from afar. The greater the debt, the more powerful a spell the lender is likely to use to ensure compliance. Debt collectors typically utilize troublesome spells like bestow curse or geas rather than deadly spells like flesh to stone or phantasmal killer; dead men cannot pay their due. See the Sympathetic Spell feat in the DM’s Appendix for one such method for lenders to reach out to errant debtors.
Extra-Judicial Justice
Somewhere in Sturben is the Cerulean Chamber, meeting place of the infamous League of Nine, a self-appointed court of justice composed of apothecaries from Borca’s ruling houses. When the law fails and duels are not an option, those who think themselves wronged can petition the League for retribution. No petitioner ever meets the League members in person. The Nine work through various proxies, and although they know each other by name, they ritually don cloaks and masks during their tribunals. So secretive is the League that many who have used its services are still unsure that it actually exists. If the League accepts a petition, the Nine convene to debate its merits. They mete out only one punishment: the subtle slumber. Within a month of the League reaching a decision, the “guilty” party will almost inevitably die of “natural causes.” On that day, the petitioner receives a bill for the League’s services, usually equaling half the legal fine for the victim’s murder.
These genteel assassins operate by several rules that are not well known to the public, however. First, the League is lawful evil, and its members’ primary goal is to strengthen their own positions. They mete out “justice” as best suits themselves, so they will not execute members of their own families, nor will they strike directly against the sefs. Second, once a petition is made, the ruling lies entirely in the League’s hands. Should the Nine decide that the petitioner is the true wrongdoer, it is she whose end is near. The unwitting accused soon receives the bill.
Inns & Taverns
Ilvin
Chronology
- 314 BC The War of Silver Knives, a conflict between the Dilisnyas, Katskies, and the Petrovnas, purportedly begins with the Assassination of Lady Izabela Dilisnya.[2] Pidlwick Dilisnya, her son, swears a vendetta against the foes of the family.[3]
- 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.[3]
- 320 BC Leo Dilisnya is born. Like the rest of the children raised by Pidlwik, he will gain Pidlwik's hunter for power and hzgfic of the von Zaroviches.[3]
- 325 BC Barovian armies drive back the Tergs from Borjia, leaving that region of Barovia to thrive when war engulfs the rest of the country for the next twenty or so years.[3]
- 347 BC Last of Tergs driven out of Barovia.[3]
- 349 BC Pidlwick dies[4], but Leo still carries his hatred and plots out a conspiracy against the Von Zaroviches.[3]
- 351 BC The nobility of Borjia leave for the Wedding of Sergei von Zarovich. Whereas the absence of Borjia's aristocracy was supposed to be only a matter of weeks, it turns out to be a matter of centuries. The Mists cover Barovia, apparently due to the actions of Leo and his assassins.[3] Modern Borcans, whom trace their origins to the Borjia of the Prime Material Plane, believe this marks the start of the Vacancy of Power. According to Borcan histories, during the Vacany of Power, Borca is imprisoned alone in the Mists due to the same curse that enveloped Barovia.[5]
- 684 BC Borca forms due to the actions Camille Dilisnya. Native Borcans believe her to have delivered them from isolation in the Mists, thus ending the 333 year epoch of the Vacancy of Power. As the then-apparent sole heir of the Dilisyna rule, she is given uncontested ownership of all Borcan lands.[5]
- 685 BC After Yakov Dilisnya convinces Camille to fund the construction of the Great Cathedral of Levkarest, a location is selected and building begins. The Church of Ezrais spreading across Borca.[6]
- 698 BC The Dinner of Death. Yakov is among those poisoned by Camille. Blame upon her for the murder of their leader spreads far and wide among Ezra's faithful. Borca's streets erupt in open violence. Under advice, Camille quells the riots by building a monument to Yakov on church grounds and demonstrating great acts of (apparent) mourning.[6]
- 706 BC Falkovnia invades, expecting the conquest of Borca to mark an easy victory. However, Camille and her ilk make short work of the invaders by poisoning their food even before the invasion. Thus the event became known as the Widow's Massacre.[6]
- 709 BC The degenerate and murderous sororicide Ivan Dilisnya is exiled to the Mists. Dovinia, a kindred realm to Borca and also thought to be a part of ancient Borjia, forms with him as darklord.[7] Despite this date of formation, Dorvinians believe their realm emerged the same time as Borca.[8]
- 711 BC Camille is poisoned to death by her own daughter, Ivana Boritsi, thus marking the exchange of power from mother to daughter.[7]
| This page incorporates content from the inactive Mordent Cartographic Society. Used with their express permission. | 
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References
- ↑ Van Richten's Arsenal, p33
- ↑ Gazetteer I p.15
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Gazetteer IV p.15
- ↑ Realm of Terror p.123
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Gazetteer IV p.16
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Gazetteer IV p.17
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Gazetteer IV p.18
- ↑ Gazetteer IV p.19
Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue
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Secrets of the Dread Realms - pp7,13,15 | |
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Secrets of the Dread Realms - pp8-9 |
