Barovia
Barovia was a small valley located within The Teeth mountain range in Atmora. Active during the Age of Fire, the valley was invaded by a young man named Strahd Von Zarovich who claimed it for the Von Zarovich family. Later, Barovia would be removed from The Mortal Plane by Kelemvor, who turned it into a personal plane of dread inside The Void. Barovia would remain a permanent prison for Strahd Von Zarovich, a punishment for denying and usurping Kelemvor's rule over the dead.
Centuries of Darkness
Now separate from The Mortal Plane, Barovia was spared the following horrors of the Age of Fire and the Age of Mists. Time flowed differently within this plane of dread, having only several hundred years pass while Naneth endured two thousand years in the dark. By the time the Age of Renewal began, less than one thousand years had passed inside Barovia. But Barovia was not without it's own strife, as these years had entirely been ruled by Strahd himself, the vampire becoming a tyrannical ruler over the other souls trapped in Barovia.
So long had Strahd's rule lasted, that many many generations had passed. Barovia, though never a particular cheerful place, was now an absolute shadow of it's former self. The land itself had become treacherous and cruel, just as it's master. Dark creatures now far outnumbered the natural, preying on animal and humanoid alike. The villages and cities of Barovia were now nothing more than pathetic remainders of civilization, striving only to survive to the next day. Even the population itself was effected, for many in Barovia were now born hollow; a body without a soul. Though life had greatly suffered in the valley, Strahd remained entertained. The vampire lord was content with watching over these subjects, torturing them for entertainment when he saw fit.
The Saviours
In AoR 597, a group of adventurers had become trapped in Barovia, lured by The Vistani. It was Strahd's will that they be lured to Barovia, as his demeanor had grown bored, and he wished for new entertainment. This was a mistake that would spell the beginning of the end of Strahd's rule in the region. Arriving in Barovia Village, the group that would later become known as the Saviours of Barovia, first met Strahd outside the manor of Ismark and Ireena Kolyana. Instantly, the group was pushed to hate the vampire, and would eventually destroying him their primary goal.
During this three week period in AoR 597, the Saviours pushed against Strahd and all the dark machinations that had plagued the land for so long. Eventually, they would come to Ravenloft, Strahd's dark stronghold, and engaged the Master of Barovia in combat. Strahd had underestimated the group, and fell to them in battle. The Saviours banished Strahd from Barovia, killing him in his own coffin. However, Kelemvor appeared to the group, and stated that while Strahd would remain gone for many years, eventually his physical form would re-manifest, as his fate was forever tied to this plane of dread. Though it may take one hundred years, or more, Strahd would one day return.
The Golden Age
The valley of Barovia now enjoys a time of relative peace and prosperity. Strahd's hold over the region has been temporarily broken, leading to a time of unparalleled freedom for the inhabitants. Cities and towns have begun producing once again, trading amongst each other like in the times long past. Festivals and celebrations now had meaning to the population, pushing the memory of Strahd further and further away. Always efforts were being made to cleanse the land more fully, with numerous guilds and groups dedicating themselves to wiping out the last dark influences in the valley. This time in Barovia had been unlike any other in it's history.
Though, eventually Strahd will return, a fact promised by Kelemvor himself. When he does, it promises to change Barovia once again, likely for the worst.
Geography
Most of the valley was shrouded in dark forests and surrounded by sheer cliffs and mountains. Traversal here, especially off-road, was extremely dangerous. Heavy mists drifted within the trees of the Svalich Woods. These mists acted as a barrier to the outside world, keeping all inhabitants in and outsiders out. To pass into these mists would mean death, as the very air was magically poisonous. Of all the mountains that surrounded Barovia, Mount Ghakis was by far the largest and most impressive. Ascending to Ghakis' summit was perilous, as one would need to brave the winds, snow and the dangerous Tsolenka Pass.Flora and Fauna
Because most of the valley was made up of forests, Barovia sported several different types of trees, most notably hardwood such as oak or beech. At higher elevations, trees of fir, pine and evergreen were most common. Wildlife, though definitely suppressed by dark creatures, was still present within the valley. Large packs of wolves hunted Barovia's forests, some growing so large that they were suspected as dire wolves. Smaller life also existed in the tress, species such as rabbit, fox, racoons and deer carefully prowled the vegetation. Most notably, Barovia was home to a small population of mammoth. These grand beasts are an ancient species that have become increasingly sparse even in the desolate north of Atmora.Society
Most inhabitants of Barovia are human, though a small number of extremely rare dusk elves also call the valley home. The origin of dusk elves are unknown, though they are believed to be the result of ancient high elf and drow relations. Also present in Barovia are dwarves and halflings, though they are increasingly rare. Humans are by far the most common, and they make up the bulk of Barovia's depressing cities. While most other races, like the elves, are outsiders. Other races can usually be found joining up with The Vistani or living alone.Culture
Most of Barovia exists within a depressing cycle of despair, it's inhabitants rarely having anything to celebrate. Most of Barovia's traditions would follow the same basic outlines of Atmora's though throughout the long years apart, have been mostly lost and forgotten. Only in Vallaki would one find varied celebration and festivals, though most are only a poor attempt to raise spirits. This had always been the case in Barovia, until recently. Since the defeat of Strahd at the hands of a group of adventurers, Barovia and it's people have entered something of a golden age of peace and celebration. No longer worried about living under a dark lord's gaze, many lost traditions have been rediscovered and reimplemented into society. Most residents are free to worship and deities they so choose, though most follow the teachings of Torm or the mysterious Mother of Shadows.Government
Barovia lacks any type of over-ruling government, though that was a role once filled by Strahd Von Zarovich as Master of the Land. Since his destruction, the valley does not recognize any overarching power. Most villages and towns are governed by themselves, establishing barons or burgomasters. Though these positions are usually filled by Barovia's most wealthy, the ruling class still owes responsibility to it's subjects. Since the beginning of the new golden age in Barovia, it's people have become quite enamored with their own freedoms and liberties, and will fight for those aspects if they feel violated.History
Established during the Age of Fire, Barovia was a small populated valley inside the confines of The Teeth; a large mountain range in Atmora. During this time Barovia was known as a mostly free state, though it would have been considered part of Atmora proper. It's largest city was Vallaki, and was home to a secret order of wizards living high on Mount Ghakis. Also present in the valley was the Order of the Silver Dragon a group of brave knights led by a Silver Dragon named Argynvost. Invasion of the Von Zarovich At some point after many years of relative peace in the valley, a powerful family from Aramoor descended on Barovia, using a mercenary army to quickly conquer the valley's meager defenses. Led by a young general named Strahd Von Zarovich, Barovia quickly fell under the rule of his family. Ravenloft was quickly constructed on a plateau overlooking the valley, a castle for Strahd's parents; King Barov Von Zarovich and Queen Ravenovia Von Zarovich. Also present at this time was Sergei Von Zarovich and his bride; Tatyana. Life in Barovia turned uncertain, with many of the residents unwilling to accept new rulers. Some inhabitants began to revolt, including Argynvost and his order of knights. However, one by one, each region and group would fall under the rule of the Von Zarovich family. But all was not well inside the Zarovich family, as envy and jealousy began to brew inside Strahd, the young prince that had conquered the region. For Strahd had grown jealous of his brother Sergei, and his love Tatyana. He desired Tatyana's love for his own, and would commit atrocities to do so. Banishment to The Void Seeking great power to impress Tatyana, Strahd sold his soul to a powerful demon within the The Amber Temple. This demon was named Vampyr, and promised Strahd eternal life and great magical power. After a brief skirmish within his own family, it was reveled to Strahd that he had been tricked, and turned into a dark creature of the night. Strahd was now undead, and after the death of his entire family, became the tyrannical ruler of Barovia. Kelemvor, the The Eres responsible for the souls of the dead and their subsequent transport through The Void was appalled by Strahd's actions. He had kept his soul forever out of Kelemvor's reach, and used his undead status to become an eternal ruler of Barovia. As punishment, Kelemvor transported the entire region into The Void, making Barovia an unescapable plane of dread. In this way, Strahd would now live forever in a prison of his own making, his essence denied freedom by the Great Judge.Notable Locations
Cities and Towns- Vallaki
- Krezk
- Barovia Village
- Berez
- Ravenloft
- The Amber Temple
- The Wizard of Wines
- Yesterhill
- Argynvostholt
Notable Inhabitants
- Strahd Von Zarovich (Formerly, though he will return)
- Exethanter
- Tylus Symshade
- Ezmerelda d'Avenir
- Shamruuc
- Ismark Kolyana
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