Valachan
| Valachan | |
|---|---|
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| Culture Level | Medieval (7)[1] |
| Ecology | Full[1] |
| Climate & Terrain | Temperate forests and hills[1] |
| Year Formed | 625 BC[1] |
| Population | 19.100[1] |
| Races (%) | human 97%, Gnome 2%, Other 1%[1] |
| Languages | Vaasi*, Mordentish, Gnome, Sithican[1] |
| Religions | Yutow*, Ezra, Hala[1] |
| Government | Aristocratic Monarchy[1] |
| Ruler(s) | Baron Urik von Kharkov[1] |
| Darklord(s) | Baron Urik von Kharkov[1] |
| Nationality | Valachani |
| Analog | |
| Related Categories | |
| Locations in Valachan | |
| Transportation in Valachan | |
| Inhabitants of Valachan | |
| Former Inhabitants of Valachan | |
| Flora of Valachan | |
| Fauna of Valachan | |
| Native Monsters of Valachan | |
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This section contains canon info from officially published sources |
The chilly, heavily forested lands of Valachan sits in the southwest most part of the Core.[2] This domain is home to the Valachani, an industrious and self-sufficiency-minded people. The people speak of the forest's denizens in myth and legend, with the panther as the most admired yet the most feared. Life inside of the communities is generally calm. However, the people are terrorized by the enforcers of Baron Urik von Kharkov and their leader, Lady Adeline.[3]
Geography
Valachan is a rough but lush domain dominated by thick evergreen forests with looming, ancient trees that shadow the forest floors beneath them. Although Valachan is temperate in climate, it is nonetheless a chilly, fog-shrouded land. Villages tightly packed together interrupt the otherwise wild and woolly verdant terrain.[3]
Society
Although family ties hold importance to the Valachani people, independence and self-sufficiency are also central to their cultural values. The Valachani value practical knowledge and skill, especially relating to nature and living off of the land, over academic and book-learned knowledge.[3] The priests of Yutow, the native, monotheistic religion of Valachan, sacrifice the normal Valachani to the land and independent mindedness in order to devote themselves to their communities as mediators and negotiators.[4] The social nature of Valachani society is demonstrated by festivals and complex rituals that measure important milestones in the life of the Valachani people.[3]
white fever is an affliction commonly known in Valachani society. However, it is no disease but rather symptomatic of the shallow feeding of Baron Urik von Kharkov and his nosferatu agents.[5] Kharkov is the absolute but mostly aloof ruler of his domain, with his secret police of werepanthers at his command to enforce his will and collect the burdensome taxes he calls for.[6] Lady Adeline, the Veiled Mistress, is his chief enforcer and an amazingly cruel and spiteful despot in her own right.[5][3]
Chronology
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This section contains canon info from officially published sources |
- False History 576 BC Heinrich von Ostlin (then mayor of Helbenik) conquered all of the independent city states around him and united them into the nation of Valachan under his rule[7]
- 605 BC Urik von Kharkov enters Darkon through the Mists. He hears about the immortal power of the Kargat vampires and seeks them out. However, he is enslaveed as one of their vampiric thralls for two decades.[8]
- 625 BC Urik von Kharkov's vampire master is slain. Kharkov flees, casually murdering any souls unfortunate to cross his path.[8] As a result, Valachan forms, and he becomes a darklord.[9][10]
- False History625 BC Von Kharkov overthrows Heinrich von Ostlin and assumes the titles of baron and ruler of Valachan.[7]
- 671 BC Baron von Kharkov I encounters the Cat of Felkovic, and the encounter leaves von Kharkov I dead. Von Kharkov II takes his place on the throne.[7] In truth, this was a critically failed attempt at destroying the nosferatu von Kharkov by Felkovic the wizard. The price he pays for failure is high, as his ghost is no longer connected to the statue. Instead, his spirit is trapped in his tower.[11]
- 680 BC-730 BC The depredations of Lady Adeline causes several rebellions through out this 50 year timespan.[7]
- 733 BC: Vampire aspirant Beatrice Cargonne moves from Richemulot to Valachan with the hope of becoming a vampire. She is not successful and opens the Inn of Quiet Repose.[12]
734 or 735 BC Theodora Angoriath, a to-be bride of Baron von Kharkov, attempts to flee Valachan. However, she is caught by her sister, Leona Angoriath, and brought to Valachan. Kharkov's minions execute her. Lucius Angoriath, a former guard of von Kharkov, steals Thedora's corpse and has Theodora resurrected. The pair surreptitiously flee the domain.[13]
- 736 BC The Great Epidemic of 736 BC, a terrible outbreak of white fever devastates Ungrad.[7] This "epidemic" is actually the product of Felix Hoyer's gluttonous feedings. He is eventually put down by adventurers, but his wife, Doctor Antianetta Despini-Hoyer, survives.[14]
- 740 BC The Grand Conjunction occurs Valachan rotates 90 degrees during this event.[15] Another revolt occurs, and Baron von Kharkov barely manages to survive an attempted assassination.[7]
- 745 BC or 746 BC The werepanther named Rakaj breaks ranks with the Black Leopards and flees Valachan. He will eventually meet and join the Angoriath Clan.[16]
- 757 BC "S" awakens in a Helbenik inn after blacking out from her confrontation with werewolves in Verbrek. She tours and researches Valachan before moving onto Sithicus.[17]
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This section contains netbook-canon info from netbooks |
| This page incorporates content from the inactive Mordent Cartographic Society. Used with their express permission. | 
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References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Gazetteer IV p.87
- ↑ Domains of Dread p. 44
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Ravenloft Player's Handbook p. 161
- ↑ Gazetteer IV p. 95-96
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Domains of Dread p. 45
- ↑ Gazetteer IV p.100
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Gazetteer IV p.91
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Darklords p.54
- ↑ Ravenloft Third Edition p.17
- ↑ Ravenloft Player's Handbook p.19
- ↑ Gazetteer IV p.102
- ↑ The Price of Revenge, Dungeon Magazine #42, p.58
- ↑ Undead Sea Scrolls 2002 p. 107, 109"; Theodora was executed "almost 21 years ago"
- ↑ Gazetteer IV p.104
- ↑ Gazetteer IV p.88
- ↑ Undead Sea Scrolls 2002 p. 109, 113"; Rakaj fled "about 10 years ago"
- ↑ Gazetteer IV p.86, 106
Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue
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Secrets of the Dread Realms |
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Secrets of the Dread Realms - pp7,55-57 | |
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Secrets of the Dread Realms - pp8-9 |
