Vallaki (vah-lah-key)
The Old Svalich Road meanders into a valley watched over by dark, brooding mountains to the north and south. The thick woods recede, revealing a sullen mountain burg surrounded by a wooden palisade. Thick fog presses against the wall, as if looking for a crack to sneak inside. The dirt road ends at a set of sturdy gates with a pair of shadowy figures standing behind them. Planted in the ground and flanking the road outside the gates are a half-dozen pikes with wolves' heads impaled on them.Near the shores of Lake Zarovich, the town of Vallaki seems like a safe haven against the evils of the woods. The town lies beyond the sight of Castle Ravenloft, and at first glance doesn't seem as depressed as the village of Barovia farther east. Anyone who spends any time in Vallaki, however, will soon realize there is no happiness, only false hope. Centuries ago, when Strahd secured the valley, he placed a man named Vargas Valakovic, one of his soldiers of some renonwn, in charge of the town. Ever since, his family has ruled the town of Vallaki, for better or for worse. Long vying for the title of burgomaster is Lady Fiona Wachter. Her family is one of Strahd's oldest allies, having also come with him to the Valley.
Festivals
The current burgomaster of Vallaki has deluded himself into believing that hope and happiness are the keys to Vallaki's salvation. He believes that if he can make everyone happy, the town will escape Strahd's grasp, and return to the forgotten world from whence it came. He stages one festival after another to bolster the spirits of the townsfolk. Most Vallakians consider these festivals to be pointless meaningless affairs more likely to incur Strahd's wrath than provide hope for the future. Luckily for them all, Strahd truly couldn't care less. The last festival had townfolk parade through the streets with the severed heads of wolves on pikes. His next event, which he has dubbed the Festival of the Blazing Sun, is soon to get under way. Weatherworn garlands from previous festivals still hang from the eaves of Vallaki's buildings, and work has begun on a large wicker sun to be set aglze in the town square on the day of the festival. In the days leading up to the festival, Baron Vallakovich has begun arresting local malcontents and throwing them in the stocks so that his efforts aren't ruined by "those of little hope or faith." Vallaki Lore In addition to the information known to all Barovians, Vallakians know the following bits of local lore:- The Bluewater Inn offers food, wine, and shelters to visitors. A stranger with pointed ears is staying there. He came to Barovia from distant lands, riding into town on a carnival wagon.
- The burgomaster, Baron Vargas Vallakovich, has decreed the Festival of the Sun will be held in the village square in three days. The previous festival, which was called the Wolf's Head Jamboree, ended less than a week ago.
- Vallaki has endured at least one festival every week for the past several years, ever since the Baron's young son died of a wasting sickness the Baron believed was a curse cast by the devil Strahd. Some Vallakians believe as the Baron does that the festivals keep the devil at bay. Others think they provide no protection or benefit whatsoever. Many consider them dismal affairs. Those who speak ill of the festivals are declared by the burgomaster to be in league with the devil and arrested. Some are thrown in the stocks, while others are taken to the burgomaster's mansion so the baron can purge them of their evil.
- Ever since the conception of the festivals, Vallaki has not paid the required tax to Castle Ravenloft. Many of the elders know that this, more than the festivals, may draw the lord's ire.
- The burgomaster's adopted son, Izek, has a histroy of violence and strange magical happenings. He has been cursed for his evil heart with a fiendish deformity: a monstrous arm with which he can conquer fire. Fear of Izek keeps the baron's enemies at bay.
- Purple flashes of light have been seen emanating from the attic of the burgomaster's mansion.
- No one hates the burgomaster more than Lady Fiona Wachter, the only other noble in the town. Her family has old ties to the von Zarovich family. She owns an old house in town, but rarely leaves her estate. Her husband died some years ago. She has three adult children: Nikolai II, Kiril, and Stella. Her sons are local troublemakers. Her daughter went mad and is locked away in the home.
- Wolves and dire wolves prowl the woods and aren't afraid to attack travelers on the Old Svalich Road. Well-armed groups of hunters and trappers have managed dto kill several of the wolves, but more keep coming.
- It's too dangerous to go fishing on Lake Zarovich, but that hasn't stopped Borislav Kirov from trying. He sets out each morning and returns every evening, but hasn't caught any fish in a while.
- There's a Vistani camp in the woods southwest of town. The Vistani there aren't friendly. Vistani aren't welcome in Vallaki.
- There is one exiled Vistana in Vallaki, "Old Ez," who spends most of her time getting drunk when she is seen at all.
- West of town is a small haunted town with a massive mansion at its center. Legend has it that a dragon died there long, long ago.
- South of town is another village that has been abandoned for decades. Its burgomaster committed some terrible offense and incurred the wrath of Strahd (or the Morninglord, depending on who you ask.)
Demographics
Vallaki is the most diverse of the three Barovian settlements. It has an even split of halflings and humans in its population.
Type
Town
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Related Reports (Secondary)