Barovian
Always an honest and open folk, Barovians are blunt to the point of offense, and expect the same courtesy in return. Those who are duplicitous or secretive are viewed with disdain and distrust. They do not hide their curious stares or their disgusted expressions, and when they happen to feel strong emotion (which happens rarely in the grey muted fog of Barovia), they express it to the fullest. This can result in violent outbursts or passionate speeches at inopportune times.
The abundant happiness these people once had is gone. They are born and raised into a world of fear and danger. It seems an even split whether Barovians despise Strahd or respect him, either blaming him for the "curse" that plagues their valley or believing he stands between them and a far worse fate. There is a similarly even split between those who try to fight their dreary lives with optimism and color, and those who wholeheartedly embrace the gloom.
Barovians know the following things:
- Strahd von Zarovich rules this land, and he dwells in the castle Ravenloft. No one is welcome at the castle.
- For centuries, Strahd made pretend that he was a line of Von Zarovichs, all named Strahd. Some years ago, a group of outsiders uncovered the truth: that he is a vampire who has lived nearly 800 years.
- The gods placed a curse on the land because of a forgotten sin of Barovian ancestors.
- Anyone who attempts to leave the valley of Barovia begins to choke on the fog. Those who don't turn back, perish.
- Many strangers have been drawn to Barovia over the years, but they all die or disappear before long.
- Wolves, dire wolves, and werewolves prowl the Svalich Woods, and worse things prowl in the dead of night.
- There are three villages in the valley of Barovia: Barovia (burogmaster Kolyan Indiravich), Vallaki (burgomaster Vargas Vallochovic), and Vallaki (burgomaster Dmitri Krezkov).
- Wine is the lifeblood of Barovia. The Wizard of Wine winery near Krezk is the source of all Barovian wine.
- A mad wizard haunts the foothills of Mount Baratok. He is an outsider, and is no friend of vampire or human.
- Two divine forces watch over the Barovian people: the Morninglord and Mother Night. The Morninglord had not answered prayers since Strahd obscured the sun, and Mother Night hasn't answered prayers in generations. It is believed they have abandoned the Barovian people for allowing Strahd to rule over them. All three villages have a church dedicated to the Morninglord.
- Never harm a raven, lest harm befall you.
- The priests of the Morninglord defy this, but all Barovians knows you can tell your fortune by watching the magpies: if you see one at dawn, your day will be cursed; two, you'll be blessed. Three singing magpies mean a baby be born with a soul; if they are silent, the babe will be soulless. If there are four, the babe will be stillborn. Four outside your door means fortune is coming your way; five means disaster. If you hear her, but do not see her, your secret is safe.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Alana, Clavdia, Danya, Dezdrelda, Diavola, Dorina, Drasha, Drilvia, Elisabeta, Fatima, Gril sha, Isabella, Ivana, Jarzinka, Kala, Katerina, Kereza, Ko rina, Lavinia, Magda, Marta, Mathilda, Minodora, Mirabel, Miruna, Nimira, Nyanka, Olivenka, Ruxandra, Serina, Tere ska, Valentina, Vasha, Victoria, Wensencia, Zondra
Masculine names
Alek, Andrej, Anton, Balthazar, Bogan, Bo ris, Dargos, Darzin, Dragomir, Emeric, Falkon, Frederich, Franz, Gargosh, Gorek, Grygori, Hans, Harkus, Ivan, jirko, Kobal, Korga, Krystofor, Lazio, Livius, Marek, Miroslav, Nikolaj, Nimir, Oleg, Radovan, Radu, Seraz, Sergei, Stefan, Tural, Valentin, Vasily, Vladislav, Waltar, Yesper, Zsolt
Family names
Alastroi, Antonovich/Antonova, Bar thos, Belasco, Cantemir, Dargovich/Dargova, Diavolov, Diminski, Dilisnya, Drazkoi, Garvinski, Grejenko, Groza, Grygorovich/Grygorova, lvanovich/lvanova, Janek, Karush kin, Konstantinovich/Konstantinova, Krezkov /Krezkova, Krykski, Lansten, Lazarescu, Lukresh, Lipsiege, Martikov/ Martikova, Mironovich/Mironovna, Moldovar, Nikolovich/ Nikolova, Nimirovich/Nimirova, Oronovich/Oronova, Petrovich/Petrovna, Polensky, Radovich/Radova, Rilsky, Stefanovich/Stefanova, Strazni, Swilovich/Swilova, Taltos, Targolov/Targolova, Tyminski, Ulbrek, Ulrich, Vadu, Volta nescu, Zalenski, Zalken
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Barovians exclusively speak Common.
Common Etiquette rules
Honesty is the best policy in Barovia. Even withholding information in casual conversation is considered extremely rude.
There is a very strong sense of community among Barovians, which manifests as blatant mistrust of outsiders. Those who live in a town even distrust those who come from other towns, and everyone is wary of those who grew up in the wilds of the forest.
Common Dress code
Barovians as a rule dress very plainly to avoid calling attention to themselves. Exotic bright dyes aren't available in the closed system of the valley, so muted colors are a necessity.
The fashion of Barovia resembles Slavic traditional clothing, but in more muted colors due to lack of available dyes.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
When a baby is born in Barovia, the family waits eagerly to see if the baby cries. Often the midwife will prick the baby's heel, both to prompt crying, and to make sure the baby bleeds.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Barovians hold a funeral for the dead where the body is displayed as quickly as possible after death, and blessings are spoken over the body. Then, within a day if possible, the body is cremated. For the next year after death, the deceased is never referred to by name, to avoid tempting their spirit into returning.
Almost all families have family crypts or graveyards. Decorated coffins hold an urn of ashes and a collection of the deceased's most precious possessions. The coffins are either buried (for poorer families) with rudimentary headstones, or (for richer families) interred into a family crypt underground.
Common Taboos
Harming or being aggressive towards corvids is considered monumentally stupid, as Barovians believe that the black birds are the agents of fortune and luck.
As stated above, speaking of the dead by name within a year of their death is considered extremely bad luck, as it can call their spirit back before they can pass on.
Related Organizations
Related Locations