Barovia
Barovia is a secluded valley located high in the Balinok Mountains before the shoreline to the ocean. These hinterlands are a heavily forested region with long stretches of rolling hills, and several rivers and lakes formed from their proximity to the ocean further north; all surrounded by a treacherous and craggy mountain range. The valley itself is as equally beautiful and breathtaking as it is dangerous. Even before the conquest of Strahd Von Zarovich known to be home to an abundance of monsters, dangerous wildlife, and territorial natives.
With Strahd's conquest came the pushing out of natives. Those that did not leave willingly were put to the sword by Strahd and the army that followed. After pushing out the natives, Strahd's men and woman would take up residence within the valley and slowly colonize it for their own. Soon more and more people would begin to filter into the valley, mostly the families and friends of Strahd's army, but eventually as village and town sizes swelled, so too did their reputation. Soon travelers and traders would flock to the valley, especially the trading center of Vallaki, and everything would flourish for a time. With fertile lands to cultivate food and an abundance of coal and other minerals to mine beneath the valley, the trade of goods and gold would flourish, and soon the riches, ideas, and cultures of foreign lands would flow into Vallaki, transforming the singular sphere of influence into something more. These years technology would grow and advance, leading to an early industrial age and a flourishing in technology; especially around the Steam engine and the creation of firearms.
With trade flourishing, crime also became abundant, and soon a black market would form. This black market would quickly boom in popularity and become lucrative incredibly quickly. The disappearances and kidnappings that would lead to the discovery of the Scourge and the revolt against Strahd would become a catalyst for the black market, causing most of the families to rise to prominence.
Now, thirty long years after the coup against Strahd and the royal family, the valley has become a quiet place once more due to the blockade around the trading hub of the kingdom. With Vallaki no longer accepting trade, the other towns and villages have been left to shrink in size, some of them even collapsing entirely. Now only a handful of villages are left, and their numbers are dwelling with each passing day.
With Strahd's conquest came the pushing out of natives. Those that did not leave willingly were put to the sword by Strahd and the army that followed. After pushing out the natives, Strahd's men and woman would take up residence within the valley and slowly colonize it for their own. Soon more and more people would begin to filter into the valley, mostly the families and friends of Strahd's army, but eventually as village and town sizes swelled, so too did their reputation. Soon travelers and traders would flock to the valley, especially the trading center of Vallaki, and everything would flourish for a time. With fertile lands to cultivate food and an abundance of coal and other minerals to mine beneath the valley, the trade of goods and gold would flourish, and soon the riches, ideas, and cultures of foreign lands would flow into Vallaki, transforming the singular sphere of influence into something more. These years technology would grow and advance, leading to an early industrial age and a flourishing in technology; especially around the Steam engine and the creation of firearms.
With trade flourishing, crime also became abundant, and soon a black market would form. This black market would quickly boom in popularity and become lucrative incredibly quickly. The disappearances and kidnappings that would lead to the discovery of the Scourge and the revolt against Strahd would become a catalyst for the black market, causing most of the families to rise to prominence.
Now, thirty long years after the coup against Strahd and the royal family, the valley has become a quiet place once more due to the blockade around the trading hub of the kingdom. With Vallaki no longer accepting trade, the other towns and villages have been left to shrink in size, some of them even collapsing entirely. Now only a handful of villages are left, and their numbers are dwelling with each passing day.
"Do not tarry; do not wander and do not linger your eyes to one place. Keep careful watch and be on your guard. There are far more horrors than that which lies in the mists - and all who stalk those on the long Svalich Road." - Ismark Kolyanovich
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