Barovia world illustration - Horror theme
Horror

Barovia

F
Flongolongo

Based on the 5e Campaign Curse of Strahd, I will develop it as I continuously add things.

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Barovia

Barovia

The valley of Barovia was the oldest and best-known of the Domains of Dread. It is where the campaign takes place. Originally a location in a forgotten world of the Prime Material plane, the entire valley was transported to the Shadowfell by mists controlled by the Dark Powers. The realm was a prison for its dark lord, the vampire Strahd von Zarovich, as well as the entire population of the valley. Almost the entire valley consisted of densely forested rough terrain, with sheer cliffs and outcroppings. Few areas were easily traversable, and it was always dangerous to stray off the road. Winters were usually long and bitter. The sky of Barovia was permanently overcast with storm clouds. Even during the brightest hours of the day, light was unnaturally muted and dimmed, and did not affect normally sensitive creatures such as vampires. Originally part of a world in the Material Plane, sometime before the 11th century DR, Barovia was conquered by then-human general Strahd.

Lake Zarovich

Lake Zarovich

At the foot of Mount Baratok, nestled in the misty forest of Vallaki Valley, is a large lake. The water is perfectly still and dark, reflecting the black clouds overhead like a monstrous mirror. An Undead Aboleth was trapped within Lake Zarovich when the realm was formed. It attracts spellcasters, usually Warlocks, promising them power and riches if they either find a way for it to escape or kill the Mad Mage of Mount Baratok, who plagues it with lightning bolts. The Aboleth is far too fearful of Strahd to act and show its presence, preferring to stay idle at the bottom of the lake until it is time to take its freedom

Northeast Svalich Woods

Northeast Svalich Woods

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 Vaasan frontier. It is home to dire wolves in particular.

Southeast Svalich Woods

Southeast Svalich Woods

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 Vaasan frontier. It is home to dire wolves in particular.

The Abbey of St. Markovia

The Abbey of St. Markovia

The Abbey of Saint Markovia is located in the city of Krezk in Barovia. It is run by The Abbot, who tends to the often unusual needs of those who come to him. It is an ancient monastery overlooking Krezk, once populated by Saint Markovia and her followers. Today, it is the lair of the Abbot and his mad mongrelfolk followers, the Belview Family. Much of the abbey serves as a prison for the mad Belview Family, too dangerous to themselves or others to be let roam freely away from the abbey. The abbey allows for the player characters to interact with multiple strange characters who are not necessarily hostile. Here too, the Abbot educates Vasilka in etiquette and culture at the main hall, though he still seeks a bridal gown for her.

Vallaki

Vallaki

Vallaki is a fortified settlement in the Domain of Dread known as Barovia. The town is located at the heart of the valley that is Barovia, beyond the view of Castle Ravenloft, on the south side of Lake Zarovich. It was connected to the land's other two settlements by the Old Svalich Road. Three tall, sturdy iron gates are the only way to enter the town. At night they are kept shut with heavy iron chains and iron padlocks, while during the day they aren't typically locked, though still closed. Vallaki was founded not long after the armies of Strahd von Zarovich had conquered the valley that would become Barovia. The town is governed by a burgomaster named Baron Vargas Vallakovich. The burgomaster mandated that a festival be held at least once every week, despite most of its residents considering them to be pointless and likely to incur Strahd's wrath. The town is inhabited solely by humans, who aren't welcoming of Vistani and wouldn't willingly allow strangers into their homes.

Village of Barovia

Village of Barovia

The Village of Barovia is easily the grimmest place in Barovia. Castle Ravenloft is ever looking down upon them. The mists are thicker here. The village is isolated from the other places in the valley by either forest or mountains. And just recently, Count Strahd has been paying visits to the town; trying to seduce Ireena Kolyana and eventually take her away to the castle. Other than his visits, wolves, bats, and other creatures of the night have come to attack the village more often than usual. There is no wall or protection for the townsfolk here. In the last weeks, these creatures of the night have assaulted the Burgomaster’s Mansion at night. Kolyan Indirovich’s heart couldn’t stand the constant pressure, meeting his demise three days ago. People in town know that Ireena is Strahd’s prey and no one will step in his way. She and her brother Ismark are alone in this situation.

Village of Krezk

Village of Krezk

The fortified village of Krezk lies near the edge of Strahd's domain, and the wall of mist that marks the border is visible above the treeline. Yet even here there is no escaping the vampire. The villagers are so terrified of Strahd and his wolves that they never venture away from the village. The village operates as a commune, with no exports or moneymaking businesses. Villagers grow trees and vegetables, cut wood to heat their homes, raise chickens and pigs, and share their food. A few villagers have cows and mules, but there are no horses in Krezk. The village has no inns or taverns. Players who are willing to chop wood, milk cows, or perform other chores can spend the night in the burgomaster's cottage or some other residence. The burgomaster is named Dmitri Krezkov, and he and his wife take care of the town.

This work includes material taken from the System Reference Document 5.1 (“SRD 5.1”) by Wizards of the Coast LLC . The SRD 5.1 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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