The Balinok Mountains

The Balinoks are a mountain range that divides the Core between the West and the East. They once reached from the northern frontier of Arak to the southern frontier of Bluetspur. Since the Great Upheaval, they are circumscribed to the north by the frontier of Barovia: the moderate peaks of Markovia have been replaced by the nothingness of the Shadow Rift, and the Mountains of Misery in the north have become separated from the remainder of the range. The south has likewise seen monumental change: the tremendous peaks of Bluetspur have been replaced by the merely substantial peaks of Hazlan.

Seasonally, the Balinoks may be traversed by the Old Svalich Road and, at its top, the choke point that is the Svalich Pass. The mountain range affords Count Strahd von Zarovich a choke-hold over east-west commerce, a choke-hold that he applies in the form of a tax collected in the Village of Barovia. There may be higher passes over the Balinoks, but they are bound with snow and ice nine months of the year.

Notable Peaks: After the Great Upheaval

• Mount Baratak is the highest peak in the Balinoks, with an elevation of 7,440 ft. It is a source of the Musarde River. It is located on the northern frontier of Barovia, previously overlooking Markovia, now staring into the abyss of the Shadow Rift.

• Terestrãu ("Mount Sawtooth") is the second highest peak in the Balinoks, with an elevation of 7,170 ft. Terestrãu dominates south-eastern Barovia. Standing at its foot is the town of Immol. The summer melt waters from its flanks feed the adjacent lake, which is the source of the Saniset River.

• Mount Veduradeth is the highest peak in the Hazlani Balinoks, with an elevation of 6890 ft.

• Mount Urkoth Sor is the second highest peak in the Hazlani Balinoks, with an elevation of 6310 ft.

• Mount Soren is the third highest peak in the Hazlani Balinoks, with an elevation of 5230 ft. It stands in the centre of Hazlan. At its foot is the Red Wizard's Vale.

• Mount Ghakis is the third highest peak in the Barovian Balinoks, with an elevation of 4620 ft. It stands at the heart of Barovia. It is a source of the Musarde River and is the source of the Ivlis River.

• Mount Arawn is the highest peak in Forlorn, with an elevation of 4580 ft. It stands in the centre of that land.

• Mount Gries may belong to the foothills of the Balinoks or may belong to the Balinoks proper, for the matter is not clear. In any case, it is the highest peak in Borca, with an elevation of 4480 ft. It stands in the east of the land, with an unobstructed view of the Shadow Rift.

Notable Peaks: Before the Great Upheaval

• Mount Grysl and its sister Mount Makab were the highest peaks in the Balinoks, with elevations substantially more than 7,500 ft, but less than 10,000 ft. The pair dominate the landscape of Bluetspur, with Mount Grysl lying to the north of its sister. It was the source of the Felgmøsge ("Mistmoss River") in Hazlan and was a source of the Musarde River.

• Mount Makab and its sister Mount Grysl were the highest peaks in the Balinoks, with elevations substantially more than 7,500 ft, but less than 10,000 ft. The pair dominate the landscape of Bluetspur, with Mount Makab lying to the south of its sister. It was a source of the Musarde River. It was also the source of a river that traversed the Nightmare Lands and subsequently may have become the East Musarde River south of Arbora in southern Nova Vaasa.

• Mount Baratak was the third highest peak in the Balinoks and the highest peak in Barovia, with an elevation of 7,440 ft. It is a source of the Musarde River. It is located on the northern frontier of Barovia, previously with its northern flank descending into Markovia and presently with its northern flank sheered off by the Shadow Rift.

• Terestrãu ("Mount Sawtooth") is the fourth highest peak in the Balinoks and the second highest peak in Barovia, with an elevation of 7,170 ft. Terestrãu dominates south-eastern Barovia. Standing at its foot is the town of Immol. The summer melt waters from its flanks feed the adjacent lake, which is the source of the Saniset River.

• Mount Ghakis is the fifth highest peak in the Balinoks and the third highest peak in Barovia, with an elevation of 4620 ft. It stands at the heart of Barovia. It is a source of the Musarde River and is the source of the Ivlis River.

Foothills of the Balinoks

Barovia

The Bloodfang Hills are adjacent to Forlorn.

The Dreadmount are the northwestern foothills of the Barovian Balinoks.

The Hills of Bleak Vistas, called the Howling Hills by Nova Vaasans, are the eastern foothills of the Barovian Balinoks.

Hazlan

The Forhenvaerendman ("Ancient Ones") are the eastern foothills of the Hazlani Balinoks. The Skraplans are the western foothills of the Hazlani Balinoks.

Markovia

The Vaesen Foothills of western Nova Vaasa are the eastern foothills of the vanished Malkovian Balinoks.

Nova Vaasa

The Forgotten Hills

Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue

		Ravenloft Third Edition The Ravenloft Campaign Setting Realm of Terror Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I
		Ravenloft Third Edition - pp112,114,121,125,133 The Ravenloft Campaign Setting:Domains and Denizens - pp4-5 Realm of Terror - p60 House of Strahd - p24,61 Ravenloft I6 - p11 Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I - p10,42,43,60-61,63 Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume IV - p9,10
		Ravenloft Third Edition The Ravenloft Campaign Setting - poster map Realm of Terror - poster map Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I - p12,44 Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume IV - p10,65
		Balinoks The Balinoks Balinok Mountains, The Balinok Mountains