THE LANDS OF BAROVIA

The land of Barovia was once a peaceful idyllic valley, a slice of heaven to those who knew of its existence before Strahd. However, this peace was shattered upon the arrival of STRAHD VON ZAROVICH and his armies. These lands, nestled in the shadows of the Balinok Mountains, were the final territories to fall to the conquering campaign of bloodshed that Strahd undertook after his father's death, desperate to create his own legacy.
That land is not the same as the realm that exists now; a demiplane, the Domain of Dread. It exists thanks to the power of Strahd's mind and no one is free to enter or leave of their own will. A deadly fog, the MISTS OF RAVENLOFT surround the lands and ensure that everyone remains a prisoner. Only the VISTANI seem free to come and go as they please.
Native BAROVIANS, terrorised by Strahd's oppression, can be found in these key geographical features:

• The deathly still but evergreen trees of the SVALICH WOODS, which climb the sides of the mountains and enclose the valley.
• The cold and imposing mountains of MOUNT BARATOK and MOUNT GHAKIS.
• LAKE ZAROVICH lies between the two mountains, and is fed by the ice-cold streams which pour down the face of Mount Baratok.
• On the south side of the lake, lies the town of VALLAKI.
• West of the two mountains lies the village of KREZK, built around the hilltop ABBEY OF SAINT MARKOVIA.
• Between Vallaki and Krezk lies the ruins of ARGYNVOSTHOLT, the fallen bastion of the ORDER OF THE SILVER DRAGON.
• East of the mountains stands the VILLAGE OF BAROVIA.
• Towering over this village, CASTLE RAVENLOFT imposes its shadow from the north, atop a 1,000-foot column of rock.

"My army settled into the valley of Barovia and took power over the people in the name of a just god, but with none of a god's grace or justice"

Tome of Strahd