Castle Ravenloft
Perched atop sheer cliffs amidst the rugged terrain of valleys and the looming Svalich Woods, Castle Ravenloft commands a commanding presence over the village of Barovia. Its somber silhouette casts a perpetual shroud of darkness upon the land, a tangible manifestation of the dominion held by its master, Count Strahd von Zarovich.
The courtyard's encircling walls stand a formidable 90 feet tall, dwarfing those who dare to approach. Towering above them, the ominous spires of the castle pierce the sky, reaching even greater heights. Gates set within the towering gate towers remain firmly closed, shielding the interior from the elements, while the relentless wind howls through the courtyard, adding to the sense of desolation.
Connecting the outer fortifications to the central keep, a massive wall extends, its imposing bulk punctuated by a twenty-foot-wide archway. Yet, the passage lies obstructed by the rusted embrace of an iron portcullis, a stark symbol of the fortress's impregnability and the isolation it imposes upon those who would seek entry.
History
Castle Ravenloft stands as the ancestral stronghold of the von Zarovich family, now inhabited by the formidable vampire lord, Strahd von Zarovich. Its imposing silhouette looms over the landscape of Barovia serving as an ominous testament to Strahd's unyielding control over the region.
Once, in the days when King Barov still held sway, this territory belonged to the von Zarovich lineage. However, during a time when King Barov was but a youth, the Tergs, a fierce tribe of horse-mounted archers, forcibly expelled the von Zaroviches from their rightful domain. The castle, then merely a modest keep, fell under siege, was razed, and eventually repurposed by the Tergs as their own stronghold.
Years later, Strahd , fueled by vengeance and ambition, returned with an army at his back. He mercilessly vanquished the Tergs and any who dared oppose him, including the valiant Order of the Silver Dragon. With the rubble of the old keep as his foundation, Strahd undertook a grand reconstruction, transforming it into the magnificent edifice known as Ravenloft. He bestowed this name in honor of his mother, hoping to win the favor of his aloof and stern father.
