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==Things, Creatures & Personnages of Legend==
==Things, Creatures & Personnages of Legend==


[[Castle Ravenloft]]
*[[Castle Ravenloft]]


[[Madame Eva]]
*[[Madame Eva]]


[[Strahd's Choking Fog]]
*[[Strahd's Choking Fog]]


The [[Ba'al Verzi]]
*The [[Ba'al Verzi]]


The [[Devil Strahd]]
*The [[Devil Strahd]]


The [[Old Svalich Road]]
*The [[Old Svalich Road]]


==Biology==
==Biology==
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===Flora===
===Flora===


[[Bitterblot]]
*[[Bitterblot]]


[[Vistan's Tears]]
*[[Vistan's Tears]]


===Fauna===
===Fauna===


[[Wolf]]
*[[Wolf]]


===Native Horrors===
===Native Horrors===


[[Blood Rose]]
*[[Blood Rose]]


*[[Nosferatu]]
*[[Vampire]]
====Wolves====
====Wolves====
[[Dire Wolf]]
*[[Dire Wolf]]


[[Worg]]
*[[Worg]]


=====Lycanthropic=====
=====Lycanthropic=====
[[Werewolf]]
*[[Werewolf]]
 
*[[Lowland Loup-Garou]]


[[Lowland Loup-Garou]]
*[[Mountain Loup-Garou]]


[[Mountain Loup-Garou]]


==Geography==
==Geography==
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====Mountains & Hills====
====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 [[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 [[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 [[Dreadmount]] are the northwestern foothills of the Barovian [[Balinoks]].


The [[Bloodfang Hills]] are adjacent to [[Forlorn]].
*The [[Bloodfang Hills]] are adjacent to [[Forlorn]].


====Forest====
====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 [[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.
*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====
====Lakes====


[[Lake Zarovich]]
*[[Lake Zarovich]]


Nameless? lake at adjacent to [[Immol]]
*Nameless? lake at adjacent to [[Immol]]




===Landmarks===
===Landmarks===
[[Castle Ravenloft]]
*[[Castle Ravenloft]]


The [[Gates of Barovia]] guarding, symbolically at least, the [[Svalich Pass]]
*The [[Gates of Barovia]] guarding, symbolically at least, the [[Svalich Pass]]


[[Tser Falls]]
*[[Tser Falls]]


===Communication===
===Communication===
====Rivers====
====Rivers====
The [[Ivlis River]]
*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 [[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 [[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]]
*The [[Luna River]]


====Roads====
====Roads====
[[Old Svalich Road]]
*[[Old Svalich Road]]


====Mistways====
====Mistways====


The [[Outsider's Gate]] (one-way, poor reliability) from outside of the Demiplane of Dread to southern Barovia
*The [[Outsider's Gate]] (one-way, poor reliability) from outside of the Demiplane of Dread 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)"''
''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)"''
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====The [[Shadow Rift]]====
====The [[Shadow Rift]]====


[[Mount Baratak]]
*[[Mount Baratak]]


====[[Nova Vaasa]]====
====[[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 ''[[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 ''[[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.
*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]]====
====[[Hazlan]]====
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====Towns====
====Towns====


[[Vallaki]]
*[[Vallaki]]


[[Immol]] (pop. 1623)
*[[Immol]] (pop. 1623)


====Villages====
====Villages====


The [[Village of Barovia]]
*The [[Village of Barovia]]


==Authority==
==Authority==
Line 188: Line 192:
''Immol
''Immol


[[The Bolting Stag]]
*[[The Bolting Stag]]




''Village of Barovia''
''Village of Barovia''


[[Blood o' the Vine Inn]]
*[[Blood o' the Vine Inn]]




''The Nova Vaasan Frontier''
''The Nova Vaasan Frontier''


[[The Weary Horse Inn]]
*[[The Weary Horse Inn]]





Revision as of 23:25, 19 January 2010

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 The Morninglord, Ezra, Hala, Erlin
Government Feudal monarchy
Ruler(s) Count Strahd von Zarovich
Darklord(s) Count Strahd von Zarovich
Nationality
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

Things, Creatures & Personnages of Legend

Biology

Flora

Fauna

Native Horrors

Wolves

Lycanthropic


Geography

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

  • The Outsider's Gate (one-way, poor reliability) from outside of the Demiplane of Dread 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

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

Population Distrubtion

Towns

Villages

Authority

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 boyers in each town or village.

Law

Law-Enforcement

Information Gathering

The Vistani

Military Footing

Fighting a resistance movement following a successful annexation of half the former land of Gundar.

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

Law-Enforcement

Language & Culture

Balok

Inns & Taverns

Immol


Village of Barovia


The Nova Vaasan Frontier

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