Page 24 - Curse of Strahd_Neat

CHAPTER 2: THE LANDS OF BAROVIA

HE IDYLLIC VALLEY NESTLED IN THE LAY OF THE LAND
Balinok Mountains was a slice of heaven
to those who knew of its existence before Rolling thunderclouds cast a gray pall over the land of
Strahd's arrival. The serenity of the place Barovia. A deathly stillness hangs over the dark woods,
was forever shattered when Strahd led a which are patrolled constantly by Strahd's wolves and
bloody crusade against the enemies of bis other servitors.
family that ended here with the slaughter The evergreen trees of the Svalich Woods climb the
of hundreds. Struck by the scenic beauty of his most sides of the mountains that enclose the valley. The larg­
recent conquest and eager to escape the shadow of his est of these peaks is Mount Baratok, with its snow-cov­
father's legacy, Strahd made the valley his home and ered cap and rugged slopes. Baratok's slightly smaller
named it Barovia after the late King Barov, his father. twin, Mount Ghakis, is mostly bald with tufts of trees
The land now called Barovia is no longer part of the here and there. Between these two mountains stands
world that Strahd once tried to conquer. It now exists Lake Zarovich, which is fed by streams of ice-cold water
within a demiplane formed by Strahd's consciousness pouring down the face of Mount Baratok. On the south
and surrounded by a deadly fog. No creature can leave side of the lake rests the town of Vallaki, enclosed by a
without Strahd's permission, and those that try become palisade. West of the two mountains, atop a hill, stands
lost in the mist. the Abbey of Saint Markovia, around which the Barovi­
Strahd allows the Vistani to come and go as they ans built a walled village named Krezk. Between Vallaki
please because he admires their lust for life and their and Krezk lie the ruins of Argynvostholt, the fallen
willingness to serve him when he needs them. He also bastion of a knightly order called the Order of the Silver
owes an ancient debt to the Vistani people. As a soldier Dragon, wiped out by Strahd and his army. East of the
centuries ago, he suffered a grievous injury in battle, mountains lies the village of Barovia, shrouded in mist
and the Vistani tended his wounds and returned him and bereft of walls and defenses. The dark silhouette
safely to his family without making any demand for pay­ of Castle Raven loft looks down on this village from its
ment. The Vistani claim to possess potions that allow perch atop a 1,000-foot-high column of rock known as
them to leave Strahd's domain, but the potions are false the Pillarstone of Ravenloft.
concoctions with no magical power. Nevertheless, the
Vistani are willing to sell them for a hefty price. MISTS OF RAVENLOFT
Native Barovians have been terrorized for centuries A deadly fog surrounds the land of Barovia and engulfs
by the one they call "the devil Strahd." Only a handful any creature that tries to leave. Even flying creatures are
of them have the will to oppose him. Barovians congre­ subject to the fog's effects, which are as follows:
gate in the valley's three main settlements-the villages
of Barovia and Krezk and the town of Vallaki-for fear A creature that starts its turn in the fog must succeed
of falling prey to wolves and other beasts that prowl on a DC 20 Constitution saving throw or gain one •
the woods. Among these people are the Keepers of the level of exhaustion (see appendix A in the Player's
Feather, a secret society of wereravens. Not powerful Handbook). This exhaustion can't be removed while •
enough to defeat Strahd on their own, the Keepers read­ the creature is in the fog. •
ily assist adventurers who find themselves drawn into
Strahd's domain.

MY ARMY SETILED IN 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

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